Book chapter
The Hidden Costs of Leadership: Occupational Stress in Middle and Senior Academic Roles
Exited: Terminated from higher education, pp.141-156
Emerald Publishing Limited, Volume 16
2025
Appears in Recent Faculty of Education Publications
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Abstract
Occupational stress – the demands and stressors experienced by individuals in their work environment – is a global concern for academic staff working in higher education. This is particularly pertinent for those in middle and senior academic roles who experience unique stressors compared to early career academics. These unique stressors include, but are not limited to, added responsibilities such as staff and student relationship management, conflict resolution, managing digital tools and balancing multiple roles, such as research, teaching, service and mentorship, exacerbated by feelings of inadequacy and the need to outperform peers for recognition. A shift from teacher-led to consumer-led models has increased occupational stress in this population due to heightened workloads, performance evaluations and job insecurity. Impacts of occupational stress for middle and senior academics involve decreased productivity, high staff turnover and increased physical and psychological symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. Recommendations for universities to mitigate occupational stress in middle and senior academics include enhancing professional development, flexible workplace policies, clear role expectations, promoting work–life balance and providing social support and mentorship.
Details
- Title
- The Hidden Costs of Leadership: Occupational Stress in Middle and Senior Academic Roles
- Creators
- Megan Lee - Bond UniversityDebbie Massey - Edith Cowan UniversityDima Nasrawi - Southern Cross UniversityRichard Lakeman - Southern Cross University
- Contributors
- Camille Kandiko Howson (Editor)Christina Hughes (Editor)Malcolm Tight (Editor)
- Publication Details
- Exited: Terminated from higher education, pp.141-156
- Publisher
- Emerald Publishing Limited
- Edition
- Volume 16
- Identifiers
- 991013306628802368
- Copyright
- © 2025 Megan Lee, Debbie Massey, Dima Nasrawi and Richard Lakeman. Published under exclusive licence by Emerald Publishing Limited
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Education; Nursing; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter