Abstract
This study explores the emotional challenges and identity work processes experienced by junior women academics as they navigate the complexities of academia. Through semi-structured qualitative interviews, the research highlights how gender-based power imbalances, workplace culture, and pressure to meet high expectations shape their daily experiences. The rationale for this study is built on the growing body of research that has documented the unique challenges and barriers faced by women faculty, particularly at the early stages of their academic careers. Studies have consistently highlighted the emotional toll of managing professional identities, negotiating gendered expectations, and contending with systemic biases and exclusion within the academy. However, the specific experiences of junior women academics remain an understudied area, warranting further investigation. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing rich, empirical insights into the emotional labor and identity work undertaken by junior women academics. The findings illuminate the significant emotional challenges faced by these academics, including feelings of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and burnout, as they strive to navigate the complex social and professional dynamics of the academic environment. Furthermore, the study's results underscore the critical need for academic institutions to acknowledge and address the unique emotional burdens borne by junior women academics, to support their well-being, professional development, and long-term retention within the academy.
Keywords
emotional labor, identity work, gender in organization, thematic analysis
Author Note
M. Ikhwan Maulana Haeruddin is a management scholar in Universitas Negeri Makassar, whose research focuses on organizational behavior, strategic management, and human resource development within both business and public-sector contexts. He has authored and co-authored numerous academic publications exploring themes such as leadership, work discipline, employee performance, and critical management perspectives in Indonesia. With extensive teaching and research experience at the postgraduate level, Haeruddin is also actively engaged in curriculum development and community-based programs, particularly those aimed at enhancing managerial and leadership capacities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). His academic work bridges theoretical rigor with practical applications, providing insights that inform both academia and industry. Please direct correspondence to [email protected]
Sigal G. Barsade (1964–2022) was the Professor of Management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. A globally recognized expert in organizational behavior, she was a pioneering scholar in the study of emotions within the workplace. Her groundbreaking research examined how emotions, emotional contagion, and affective culture influence employee attitudes, decision-making, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. Barsade published extensively in leading journals such as Administrative Science Quarterly, Academy of Management Journal, and Organizational Science. She was also a sought-after speaker and consultant for organizations worldwide, helping leaders understand and leverage emotional dynamics for more effective management. Her legacy continues to shape the field of organizational behavior and inspire future generations of scholars.
Annisa Ciptagustia is an academic and researcher in Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, specializing in human resource management, organizational studies, and contemporary management practices. Her work explores themes such as workplace innovation, cross-cultural management, and the intersection of gender and generational perspectives in organizational contexts. Actively engaged in both teaching and research, Ciptagustia contributes to scholarly publications and academic conferences, advancing critical discussions on sustainable human resource management and inclusive organizational development in Indonesia. She is particularly interested in integrating local cultural perspectives with global management theories, making her research highly relevant to both regional and international audiences.
Author Bio(s)
M. Ikhwan Maulana Haeruddin is a management scholar in Universitas Negeri Makassar, whose research focuses on organizational behavior, strategic management, and human resource development within both business and public-sector contexts. He has authored and co-authored numerous academic publications exploring themes such as leadership, work discipline, employee performance, and critical management perspectives in Indonesia. With extensive teaching and research experience at the postgraduate level, Haeruddin is also actively engaged in curriculum development and community-based programs, particularly those aimed at enhancing managerial and leadership capacities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). His academic work bridges theoretical rigor with practical applications, providing insights that inform both academia and industry. Please direct correspondence to [email protected]
Sigal G. Barsade (1964–2022) was the Professor of Management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. A globally recognized expert in organizational behavior, she was a pioneering scholar in the study of emotions within the workplace. Her groundbreaking research examined how emotions, emotional contagion, and affective culture influence employee attitudes, decision-making, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. Barsade published extensively in leading journals such as Administrative Science Quarterly, Academy of Management Journal, and Organizational Science. She was also a sought-after speaker and consultant for organizations worldwide, helping leaders understand and leverage emotional dynamics for more effective management. Her legacy continues to shape the field of organizational behavior and inspire future generations of scholars.
Annisa Ciptagustia is an academic and researcher in Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, specializing in human resource management, organizational studies, and contemporary management practices. Her work explores themes such as workplace innovation, cross-cultural management, and the intersection of gender and generational perspectives in organizational contexts. Actively engaged in both teaching and research, Ciptagustia contributes to scholarly publications and academic conferences, advancing critical discussions on sustainable human resource management and inclusive organizational development in Indonesia. She is particularly interested in integrating local cultural perspectives with global management theories, making her research highly relevant to both regional and international audiences.
Publication Date
10-24-2026
Recommended APA Citation
Haeruddin, M. I. M., Barsade, S. G., & Ciptagustia, A. (2026). Emotional rescue: Junior women academic’ experiences on emotional labor and academic identity work. The Qualitative Report, 31(9), 6635-6662.
ORCID ID
0000-0003-2704-1876
ResearcherID
AAM-4727-2020
