A1 Journal article (refereed)
Emotionally loaded identity and agency in Finnish academic work (2020)

Ursin, J., Vähäsantanen, K., McAlpine, L., & Hökkä, P. (2020). Emotionally loaded identity and agency in Finnish academic work. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 44(3), 311-325. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2018.1541971

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Ursin, Jani; Vähäsantanen, Katja; McAlpine, Lynn; Hökkä, Päivi

Journal or series: Journal of Further and Higher Education

ISSN: 0309-877X

eISSN: 1469-9486

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 44

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 311-325

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2018.1541971

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/68454

Abstract

This narrative study investigated identity, agency and emotions, amongst an under-researched academic group – those without PhDs with primary responsibility for teaching, who are also expected to do research. In this interview-based paper, we examine the experience of such Finnish academics in a research-intensive university. Thematic and then narrative approaches were employed. The findings demonstrated five narratives which indicated both balanced and tensioned relations as regards academic identity, with variable perceptions of agency and emotions embedded. The study contributes in two ways: first, it adds to the little that is known of the experiences of the aforementioned under-researched academic group. Second and more broadly, it provides insight into the emotionally loaded nature of academic work, and highlights the need for future research to explore academic identity and agency as emotionally imbued phenomena.

Keywords: university-educated labour; identity (mental objects); human agency; emotions; tertiary education; narrative analysis

Free keywords: academic work; identity; agency; emotion; higher education; narrative research

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2020

JUFO rating: 1