Professional ethics informing academic work, health and wellbeing

This symposium explores global research on academic work, wellbeing and ethics, highlighting collegiality, peer review and academic freedom.

This seminar program addresses what is happening in research on academic work, health and wellbeing internationally and in Australia. It presents a framework of professional ethics based on core academic professional practices of collegiality, peer review and academic freedom for discussion.

The framework and associated publications are below for review.

Framework

The Professional Ethical Framework for Australian Academics (The Framework)

Associated publications

Kenny, J., Bird, M., Blackmore, J. et al. Putting a stake in the ground: the development of a Professional Ethical Framework for Australian Academics. High Educ 90, 1199–1218 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-024-01372-1

Kenny, J. D., Bird, M., Blackmore, J., Brandenburg, R., Nicol, D., Seemann, K., Wang, B., & Wilmshurst, T. (2025). Foundational principles for the academic profession in the context of greater systemic accountability. Policy Futures in Education, 23(7), 1254-1274. https://doi.org/10.1177/14782103251328424 (Original work published 2025)

Contemporary issues facing universities and academics

Deakin Distinguished Professor Jill Blackmore AM

This introduction maps out the wider geopolitical context and challenges facing academics which is contributing how they undertake their research and work.

Key issues and international trends for academic workforces: a UNESCO report

Associate Professor Gwilym Croucher, University of Melbourne.

Over the last thirty years in most countries there have been dramatic changes to academic work. A once dominant model is receding around the globe. No longer can it be presumed that the archetype of an academic role is one that tightly integrates teaching and research activities, often with the significant freedoms of ‘tenure’, and provides staff with secure employment conditions. Increasingly, academic work is undertaken by those whose roles fit different moulds, such as academic staff specialising in teaching, research or other associated activities. This has progressively changed how much academic work is conceived and operates as a distinct profession, and reflects emerging work patterns, professional standards and career paths.

Academic health and wellbeing: a pilot study

Dr Mark Rahimi, University of Melbourne and Deakin University

Academic work in Australia and internationally is changing under managerial reform, performance pressures and digital systems, with important implications for the psychosocial conditions of the higher education workforce. This paper introduces a 2022 pilot study of academic health and wellbeing at one Australian university, drawing on survey responses from 318 academic and professional staff, supported by focus group data. The study uses a multi-instrument approach, including COPSOQ measures, Warwick, intention to leave and technostress indicators. Selected survey patterns are considered alongside an Australian general workforce benchmark (n=2,446) to situate the university case in a broader national context. The paper presents a benchmarked analysis of psychosocial working conditions and staff wellbeing in higher education and considers the implications for professional ethics and workforce sustainability.

Professional ethics framework informing academic practice: a workshop

Associate Professor John Kenny, University of Tasmania

This workshop is designed to raise participant’s awareness of the Professional Ethical Framework for Australian Academics (The Framework) and to seek feedback on its suitability as a defining statement for the academic profession in an era of greater systemic and individual accountability. Accountability needs to relate to an individual’s role and from a systemic perspective there are range of different roles in HE each. Under neoliberal reforms, however, over the last 40 years, while the traditional academic role has come under challenge, as a professional group, the Academy has been unable or unwilling to re-define its role, leaving its members exposed to greater managerial control . The Framework is designed to restore balance by and address this ‘failure.’ It draws on four foundational principles to redefine the academic role, in a holistic way, that articulates the essence of the role including the common values and ethical behaviours essential to the trustworthiness of academic work. It also aims to serve as a communication device to enable government, university management and other non-academic stakeholders to better understand the unique ways in which academics contribute to the effectiveness of the HE system and our universities. More information on The Framework project can be found at https://www.professoriate.org/aaup-professional-ethical-framework-for-australian-academics-3/