Catching a glimpse: Corona-life and its micro-politics in academia

Area of Science:

• Sociology of Academia
• Pandemic Studies
• Home-based Work Research

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted traditional academic structures and daily life.
• Academics globally experienced profound shifts, integrating work, living, and care within home environments.
• This created a new context for understanding the micro-politics of academic practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To capture and analyze the lived experiences of academics during COVID-19 lockdowns.
• To explore the "corona-life" and its impact on academic identities and practices.
• To investigate the emergence of resistance, care, and solidarity in response to crisis.

Main Methods:

• A collective, autoethnographic approach utilizing stories, snapshots, and reflections.
• Qualitative analysis of diverse personal narratives from academics worldwide.
• Exploration of micro-political dynamics within the home-based academic environment.

Main Results:

• The pandemic generated a spectrum of emotions and experiences among academics, including concerns, hopes, and anger.
• Contradictory claims on practices emerged as academics navigated work, life, and care at home.
• A collective need for resistance, care, and solidarity was identified in response to the crisis.

Conclusions:

• The "corona-life" profoundly affected academic work, personal identities, and agency.
• Academics developed new forms of solidarity and resistance in response to the crisis.
• The study highlights the importance of care and shared experiences in navigating dis/organizing times.