The Lives of Working Class Academics: Getting Ideas Above your Station

Academia has traditionally been seen as an elite profession, but working-class academics have navigated their way and explored their experiences of becoming an academic while also coming from a working-class background. Iona Burnell Reilly's collection of autoethnographies presents their journeys and experiences.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2022
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

Academia has long been considered an exclusive domain, reserved for individuals with academic backgrounds and affiliations with the middle or upper classes. This unique perspective adds an intriguing dimension to the lives of working-class academics, making their experiences both fascinating and influential. How have these individuals navigated their way through an industry steeped in elitism? What challenges have they encountered along the way, and how have they overcome them? Do they still identify as working-class individuals, or has their social positioning and/or identities shifted as a result of their academic pursuits?

In her book titled "Working Class Academics: Autoethnographies of Identity and Experience," Iona Burnell Reilly presents a collection of autoethnographies authored by working-class academics in higher education. These narratives shed light on the pathways these individuals took to attain their academic positions, the challenges they encountered, and the experiences they had along the way. The academics openly share their journeys, exploring the intricacies of becoming an academic while also coming from a working-class background.

While a working-class heritage serves as a common thread throughout these autoethnographies, the interconnections between class, race, gender, and sexuality also warrant attention. The writers candidly address these aspects of their identities, providing insights into the complexities and intersections that shape their experiences.

This book offers a valuable perspective on the experiences of working-class academics, challenging traditional notions of academic exclusivity and providing a deeper understanding of the diverse backgrounds and journeys that contribute to the richness of the academic community.

Weight: 506g
Dimension: 239 x 160 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781801170581