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Collegiality, emotional labour and compassion in the academy: an autoethnographic study of Covid-19

Iro Konstantinou (University of Warwick, Coventry, UK)
Elizabeth Miller (Pearson College London, London, UK)

Qualitative Research Journal

ISSN: 1443-9883

Article publication date: 9 August 2022

Issue publication date: 22 November 2022

139

Abstract

Purpose

The paper draws upon autoethnographic accounts from two academic staff in a private higher education institution (HEI) in London, UK who try to make sense of their teaching and learning practices during the pandemic. Even though studies have looked into the impact of Covid-19 on teaching and learning and on students, this paper reflects on the experience of lecturers with a focus on their emotional labour and stressors during remote teaching and working.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a small case study of two colleagues from a small private institution in London, UK, which is based on autoethnography. The authors draw on personal notes, emails and other written artefacts alongside our memories of our lived experiences of the pandemic.

Findings

The authors’ reflections focus on the need for institutional collegiality as avenues to network and collaborate beyond institutions which have been limited (despite the increased interactions online) and the need to acknowledge emotional labour while providing spaces for staff to discuss their everyday experiences. The authors argue for a renewed importance for creating a sense of community during times of uncertainty and beyond. If these structures are put into place, the conditions to support teaching and learning will also strengthened.

Originality/value

There is a dearth in research which discusses emotional labour and the importance of community and collegiality on campuses and in the new way of working remotely. This paper adds to the empirical basis of such research and hopes to encourage others to share their experiences of emotional labour in the academy.

Keywords

Citation

Konstantinou, I. and Miller, E. (2022), "Collegiality, emotional labour and compassion in the academy: an autoethnographic study of Covid-19", Qualitative Research Journal, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 593-605. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-07-2022-0095

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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