Unraveling Faculty Burnout: Pathways to Reckoning and Renewal

The book "Burnout in Higher Education: Assessing, Coping with, and Mitigating the Syndrome" discusses the prevalence of burnout among women in higher education and offers strategies for assessing, coping with, and mitigating the syndrome. It draws from personal experiences, interviews, and research to provide relatable stories, reflective opportunities, and advice from women in higher education.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

Faculty members frequently express feelings of being overwhelmed, overworked, and stressed, which are often viewed as badges of honor in a culture that prioritizes productivity above all else. However, for many women in higher education, these symptoms extend beyond the typical end-of-semester malaise. Burnout, a mental health condition resulting from chronic workplace stress, is prevalent in higher education, particularly within a patriarchal and productivity-driven culture. In her groundbreaking book specifically tailored for women in higher education, Rebecca Pope-Ruark, Ph.D., draws upon her personal experience with burnout, as well as collected narratives of faculty members from diverse roles and career stages, interviews with coaches and educational developers, and extensive secondary research. Pope-Ruark presents four pillars of burnout resilience for faculty members: purpose, compassion, connection, and balance. Each chapter features relatable anecdotes, reflective prompts, and practical exercises, offering guidance from accomplished women in higher education.

Blending memoir, critical research, and introspective opportunities, Pope-Ruark empowers faculty members to address burnout on a personal level while also utilizing the tools provided in this book to dismantle the systemic factors that contribute to it. As burnout gains increased visibility, it is crucial to destigmatize it by recognizing that women are not unraveling but rather confronting the productivity cult deeply entrenched within our institutions. Women in higher education are gaining awareness of how this culture shapes their understanding and approach to faculty work and are actively seeking ways to rectify it for themselves, their peers, and future generations of women faculty.

Contributors to this important work include Lee Skallerup Bessette, Cynthia Ganote, Emily O. Gravett, Hillary Hutchinson, Tiffany D. Johnson, and Brid. Their insights and experiences enrich the narrative, providing valuable perspectives and strategies for overcoming burnout in higher education. By collectively addressing and mitigating burnout, we can create a more supportive and equitable academic environment for all faculty members.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781421445120