Dark Thoughts in the Academy




http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2014/mar/06/mental-health-academics-growing-problem-pressure-university?CMP=share_btn_fb


A very interesting comment, by Emeritus Professor of Cambridge University Dr. David Lehmann  follows
This does not surprise me, but I also ask myself whether, in Britain and the US (more than in Latin countries), the academic profession does not attract more than the average number of hyper-competitive and self-critical individuals, especially women. Although... when I look around me and see young colleagues like Ella McPherson, Monica Moreno and Hettie Malcomson they seem utterly free of all these stresses and strains.

Nevertheless in general (!) academia is riven by nasty rivalry, tribalism and (in the humanities) ideological sectarianism, which can be very destructive to personal relationships. This is not helped by the tenure system which first subjects people to ridiculous pressure to publish and then condemns them to co-exist in the same institution for decades even if they cannot stand the sight of one another. (Though the alternative is not likely to be popular or satisfactory.) The absurd atmosphere which is now ruled by league tables, over-demanding government funders, and as the comment next to the article says, by ill-suited management composed of equally hyper-competitive and insensitive Individuals is a further twist in this subjection which in extreme situations can lead to psychological torture.

However, it can also be fun: there are great students, one goes to conferences in exotic places, one meets a great variety of people, one can feast on ideas - but note that most of the fun is outside your institution.

 

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