Abstract

Despite the diversity of entry points into academia, little research exists examining the experiences and impact of precarious employment at different life stages. Drawing on interviews with 19 academics employed casually or on fixed-term contracts in Australian universities, this paper illustrates how precarious employment is experienced at different life and career stages. Using Foucauldian understandings of power and discourse alongside a life-course sociological approach, we explore how parenthood, relationships and life decisions are shaped by precarious employment in the academy. Discourses around academic ‘pipelines’ and ‘early careers’ obscure the experiences of those entering academia as a second-career; and those in long-term precarious employment. These employment structures have deep personal, professional and financial impacts. By identifying the intersection between precarious employment and life stages, we argue that an understanding of the effects of precarious employment requires further, urgent attention to support the diverse needs of academics.

摘要

尽管进入学术界的切入点多种多样，但很少有研究考察不稳定就业在不同人生阶段的经历和影响。本文通过对澳大利亚大学中 19 位临时聘用或定期合同聘用的学者的采访，阐述了在不同的生活和职业阶段如何经历不稳定的就业。我们使用福柯对权力和话语的理解以及生命历程的社会学方法，探讨了学院中不稳定的就业如何影响父母身份、人际关系和生活决策。围绕学术“管道”和“早期职业”的论述模糊了那些以第二职业身份进入学术界的人的经历；以及长期不稳定就业的人。这些就业结构对个人、专业和财务产生了深远的影响。