"Hope Labour": The Reality of Sessional Academia

Academic careers have long been associated with stability, prestige, and a clear path from graduate school to tenure. But in today’s universities, an increasing number of scholars find themselves trapped in precarious, low-paid sessional contracts - far from the secure careers they once envisioned.

In this episode of The Academic Issue, Dr. Jamie Paris joins Kate to discuss the systemic issues behind unstable employment in academia, drawing from his article The Exploitation Trap of Hope Labour. We explore the emotional and financial toll of "hope labour" and why universities continue to rely on precarious workers - but is real change possible?

 

Recommended reading:

https://universityaffairs.ca/opinion/the-exploitation-trap-of-hope-labour/

https://universityaffairs.ca/opinion/advice-for-sessionals/

https://universityaffairs.ca/opinion/phd-graduates-continue-to-seek-tenure-track-positions-despite-low-odds-says-report/