A1 Journal article (refereed)
Professional agency in a university context : Academic freedom and fetters (2020)

Vähäsantanen, K., Paloniemi, S., Räikkönen, E., & Hökkä, P. (2020). Professional agency in a university context : Academic freedom and fetters. Teaching and Teacher Education, 89, Article 103000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2019.103000

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Vähäsantanen, Katja; Paloniemi, Susanna; Räikkönen, Eija; Hökkä, Päivi

Journal or series: Teaching and Teacher Education

ISSN: 0742-051X

eISSN: 1879-2480

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 89

Article number: 103000

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2019.103000

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/68461

Abstract

Professional agency is an urgent topic in academic contexts, albeit relatively unexplored, and elaborated with contradictory conclusions on its extent and characteristics. To contribute to the discussion, this multimethod study investigated professional agency within a Finnish university. We utilised questionnaire data and interviews to explore agency, as manifested in influencing at work, developing work practices, and negotiating professional identity. We found that overall, these three dimensions of agency were manifested fairly substantially, and in a similar manner among the academic staff. The study further emphasises the social nature of professional agency, and presents theoretical and empirical considerations for future research.

Keywords: human agency; teachers; tertiary education

Free keywords: professional agency; higher education; multimethod research; teachers; leaders

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 3