Plenary: Destination Wellness: Using Faculty Development as a Guide toward Balance and Well-Being
Start Date
2-11-2023 9:15 AM
End Date
2-11-2023 9:45 AM
Keywords
all educators, faculty development
Abstract
Much has been written about faculty burnout in academia over the past several years. While some of this burnout has been associated with the (post-)pandemic workplace (McClure & Fryar, 2022, Musgrave, 2022), more substantial connections have been made to increases in professional demands and complex working environments in higher education over the last 10-20 years (Pope-Ruark, 2022; McClure, 2022, another). Burnout has not only affected senior and mid-career faculty, but it has also been recognized in early-career faculty, leaving some to question their long-term career paths (Doležal, 2023).
To combat faculty (and staff) burnout, academia needs to focus more on employee well-being and balance. How do we, then, as concerned professionals and caring colleagues / friends, attempt to reduce the likelihood of burnout for others and ourselves? How do we promote balance and well-being (and maybe even vitality)? This plenary session will provide some answers to these questions by providing participants with an overview of how faculty development opportunities can be used to promote balance and well-being. The session will consist of four parts:
- Recognition of current research on faculty burnout.
- Recognition of current research on faculty well-being.
- Description of how faculty development programs around the country are promoting balance and well-being.
- Discussion on how programs can act locally to promote balance and well-being.
Plenary: Destination Wellness: Using Faculty Development as a Guide toward Balance and Well-Being
Much has been written about faculty burnout in academia over the past several years. While some of this burnout has been associated with the (post-)pandemic workplace (McClure & Fryar, 2022, Musgrave, 2022), more substantial connections have been made to increases in professional demands and complex working environments in higher education over the last 10-20 years (Pope-Ruark, 2022; McClure, 2022, another). Burnout has not only affected senior and mid-career faculty, but it has also been recognized in early-career faculty, leaving some to question their long-term career paths (Doležal, 2023).
To combat faculty (and staff) burnout, academia needs to focus more on employee well-being and balance. How do we, then, as concerned professionals and caring colleagues / friends, attempt to reduce the likelihood of burnout for others and ourselves? How do we promote balance and well-being (and maybe even vitality)? This plenary session will provide some answers to these questions by providing participants with an overview of how faculty development opportunities can be used to promote balance and well-being. The session will consist of four parts:
- Recognition of current research on faculty burnout.
- Recognition of current research on faculty well-being.
- Description of how faculty development programs around the country are promoting balance and well-being.
- Discussion on how programs can act locally to promote balance and well-being.