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(Un)divided work devotion? Navigating the ideal worker norm in academia.

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Title: (Un)divided work devotion? Navigating the ideal worker norm in academia.
Authors: Orupabo, Julia (AUTHOR), Nadim, Marjan (AUTHOR), Mangset, Marte (AUTHOR), Halrynjo, Sigtona (AUTHOR)
Source: Studies in Higher Education. Jun2026, Vol. 51 Issue 6, p1291-1303. 13p.
Subjects: Academia, Work-life balance, Job involvement, Temporary employment, Organizational legitimacy
Abstract: Work devotion in academia is often described as a cultural mandate that defines work as a calling deserving of undivided allegiance. Critical perspectives point to how this ideal worker norm has gendered consequences and produces performance expectations that only a worker without care responsibilities can satisfy. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 92 PhD holders, this study examines the range of strategies women and men use to navigate and reframe the ideal worker norm in academia, analysing how they manage the competing demands of work and family, as well as the competing demands within academia. We extend existing research on academia by applying approaches that emphasise the benefits of multiple roles, showing how a divided work devotion with room for external responsibilities, expands academics' frames of reference and provide alternative sources of meaning. However, our analysis shows how position, and whether one holds a temporary or permanent contract, is key to understand who can allow themselves to uphold a divided allegiance to academia. This study suggests that it is not gender or care responsibilities per se, but rather the intersection between these dimensions and positional power, that influence academics options for navigating the ideal worker norm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Studies in Higher Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: (Un)divided work devotion? Navigating the ideal worker norm in academia.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Orupabo%2C+Julia%22">Orupabo, Julia</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nadim%2C+Marjan%22">Nadim, Marjan</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mangset%2C+Marte%22">Mangset, Marte</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Halrynjo%2C+Sigtona%22">Halrynjo, Sigtona</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Studies+in+Higher+Education%22">Studies in Higher Education</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 51 Issue 6, p1291-1303. 13p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academia%22">Academia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Work-life+balance%22">Work-life balance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Job+involvement%22">Job involvement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Temporary+employment%22">Temporary employment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Organizational+legitimacy%22">Organizational legitimacy</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Work devotion in academia is often described as a cultural mandate that defines work as a calling deserving of undivided allegiance. Critical perspectives point to how this ideal worker norm has gendered consequences and produces performance expectations that only a worker without care responsibilities can satisfy. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 92 PhD holders, this study examines the range of strategies women and men use to navigate and reframe the ideal worker norm in academia, analysing how they manage the competing demands of work and family, as well as the competing demands within academia. We extend existing research on academia by applying approaches that emphasise the benefits of multiple roles, showing how a divided work devotion with room for external responsibilities, expands academics' frames of reference and provide alternative sources of meaning. However, our analysis shows how position, and whether one holds a temporary or permanent contract, is key to understand who can allow themselves to uphold a divided allegiance to academia. This study suggests that it is not gender or care responsibilities per se, but rather the intersection between these dimensions and positional power, that influence academics options for navigating the ideal worker norm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Studies in Higher Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/03075079.2025.2507081
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Work-life balance
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      – SubjectFull: Job involvement
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      – SubjectFull: Temporary employment
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      – SubjectFull: Organizational legitimacy
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            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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