Research and Teaching in a Pandemic World: The Challenges of Establishing Academic Identities During Times of Crisis

In Research and Teaching in a Pandemic World: The Challenges of Establishing Academic Identities During Times of Crisis, editors Basil Cahusac de Caux (sociology, American University of the Middle East), Lynette Pretorius (Faculty of Education, Monash University), and Luke Macaulay (research fellow, Deakin University) examine how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped higher education and academic identity. Using collaborative autoethnography, the editors compile narratives from academic staff and students reflecting on their emotional experiences. The book explores disruptions in academic infrastructure, emotional turmoil, resilience, and changes in teaching methodologies, emphasizing the value of autoethnography and qualitative research. It demonstrates that academia, like other sectors, was deeply affected by the pandemic and offers insights for recovery. This work is aimed at academic policymakers, staff, students, and those interested in the pandemic’s impact on higher education.