‘There’s no onboarding, no orientation:’ the role of neoliberal university structures in the lives of precarious academics

Abstract

Introduction. Increasingly, universities rely on casualised labour for teaching and research activities. Previous research demonstrates that the information practices of academics working in these conditions are significantly compromised, making their information work more difficult. This paper further explores the context in which contract academic staff work and provides a more holistic picture of their information environment.

Method. To gain a better understanding of the academic context, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve heads of academic units working in various disciplines and across Canadian universities.

Analysis. Interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, informed by the theoretical frameworks of neoliberalism and information marginalisation.

Results. Two themes were generated from the analysis. 1. Casualisation destabilises and creates divisions. Relying on casualised labour means more and shifting work for permanent staff and the creation of unequal power relationships based between permanent and casualised academics. 2. Contractual status influences access to information and departmental engagement. Based on their contract status, casualised academics are often excluded from the places where workplace information, limiting their access to information.

Conclusion. Neoliberalism and information marginalisation provide frameworks to better understand complex information environments and the systemic issues that influence information practices.