'Get yourself some nice, neat, matching box files!' Research administrators and occupational identity work.
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| Title: | 'Get yourself some nice, neat, matching box files!' Research administrators and occupational identity work. |
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| Authors: | Collinson, Jacquelyn Allen (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Studies in Higher Education. Jun2007, Vol. 32 Issue 3, p295-309. 15p. |
| Subjects: | University & college research, High-context culture, Administrative assistants, Functional representation, Occupational segregation, Professional identity, Role ambiguity, Qualitative research |
| Abstract: | To date, qualitative research into occupational groups and cultures within academia has been relatively scarce, with an almost exclusive concentration upon teaching staff within universities and colleges. This article seeks to address this lacuna and applies the interactionist concept of 'identity work' in order to examine one specific group to date under-researched: graduate research administrators. This occupational group is of sociological interest as many of its members appear to span the putative divide between 'academic' and 'administrative' occupational worlds within higher education. An exploratory, qualitative research project was undertaken, based upon interviews with 27 research administrators. The study analyses how research administrators utilise various forms of identity work to sustain credible occupational identities, often in the face of considerable challenge from their academic colleagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | To date, qualitative research into occupational groups and cultures within academia has been relatively scarce, with an almost exclusive concentration upon teaching staff within universities and colleges. This article seeks to address this lacuna and applies the interactionist concept of 'identity work' in order to examine one specific group to date under-researched: graduate research administrators. This occupational group is of sociological interest as many of its members appear to span the putative divide between 'academic' and 'administrative' occupational worlds within higher education. An exploratory, qualitative research project was undertaken, based upon interviews with 27 research administrators. The study analyses how research administrators utilise various forms of identity work to sustain credible occupational identities, often in the face of considerable challenge from their academic colleagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 03075079 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/03075070701346832 |
