Work, life, and imbalance: policies, practices and performativities of academic well-being

Article

Saltmarsh, Sue and Randell-Moon, Holly. 2014. "Work, life, and imbalance: policies, practices and performativities of academic well-being." Somatechnics. 4 (2), pp. 236-252. https://doi.org/10.3366/soma.2014.0130
Article Title

Work, life, and imbalance: policies, practices and performativities of academic well-being

ERA Journal ID201511
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsSaltmarsh, Sue (Author) and Randell-Moon, Holly (Author)
Journal TitleSomatechnics
Journal Citation4 (2), pp. 236-252
Number of Pages17
Year2014
Place of PublicationEdinburgh, Scotland
ISSN2044-0138
2044-0146
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3366/soma.2014.0130
Web Address (URL)http://www.euppublishing.com/doi/abs/10.3366/soma.2014.0130
Abstract

Work-life balance policies have become a ubiquitous feature of university strategies for formally recognising that employees have personal interests, ties and obligations beyond those of the workplace. However, rationales for work-life balance policies and programs in Australian universities predominantly link personal health, well-being and family responsibilities to imperatives for a more productive and competitive tertiary sector. In this paper, we call for an encounter between work-life balance policies, everyday organisational practices and the performativities of academic subjects. Informed by poststructuralist theories of institutionality, governmentality and subjectivity, we draw on personal and policy narratives to argue that ‘well-being’ is a construct through which the risky humanity of academic subjects is not only managed, but also appropriated into normative discourses of obligatory productivity and self-governance. Informed by Sara Ahmed's recent work on the cultural politics of emotion and in particular, what she terms the obligation or ‘duty to happiness’, we consider how academic performativities are implicated in discursive fictions that equate work-life balance with personal and organisational well-being.

Keywordswork-life balance; higher education; affect; governmentality; performativity
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390203. Sociology of education
390303. Higher education
Public Notes

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsAustralian Catholic University
Macquarie University
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q3v71/work-life-and-imbalance-policies-practices-and-performativities-of-academic-well-being

Log in to edit
  • 1569
    total views
  • 9
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Factors associated with stunting and wasting in children under 2 years in Bangladesh
Chowdhury, Tuhinur Rahman, Chakrabarty, Sayan, Rakib, Muntaha, Afrin, Sabiha, Saltmarsh, Sue and Winn, Stephen. 2020. "Factors associated with stunting and wasting in children under 2 years in Bangladesh." Heliyon. 6 (9), pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04849
Anecdotes, Experience, and ‘Learning By Osmosis’: The Role of Professional Cultures in Preparing Teachers for Parent-School Engagement
Saltmarsh, Sue, McPherson, Amy K., Chakrabarty, Sayan, Winn, Stephen and Saltmarsh, David. 2019. "Anecdotes, Experience, and ‘Learning By Osmosis’: The Role of Professional Cultures in Preparing Teachers for Parent-School Engagement." Australian Journal of Teacher Education. 44 (12), pp. 22-37. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2019v44n12.2
Socioeconomic correlates of overweight and obesity among ever-married urban women in Bangladesh
Tanwi, Tania Sultana, Chakrabarty, Sayan, Hasanuzzaman, Syed, Saltmarsh, Sue and Winn, Stephen. 2019. "Socioeconomic correlates of overweight and obesity among ever-married urban women in Bangladesh." BMC Public Health. 19, pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7221-3
Schools, separating parents and family violence: a case study of the coercion of organisational networks
Saltmarsh, Sue, Ayre, Kay and Tualaulelei, Eseta. 2022. "Schools, separating parents and family violence: a case study of the coercion of organisational networks." Critical Studies in Education. 63 (4), pp. 516-533. https://doi.org/10.1080/17508487.2021.1919165
Learning and exploring teacher identity: Preparing for teaching in the Partners in Literacy and Numeracy (PLaN) programme
Fanshawe, Melissa, Saltmarsh, Sue and Larsen, Ellen. 2023. "Learning and exploring teacher identity: Preparing for teaching in the Partners in Literacy and Numeracy (PLaN) programme." Asia Pacific Journal of Education. 43 (1), pp. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2020.1866492
‘A damn sight more sensitivity’: gender and parent-school engagement during post-separation family transitions
Saltmarsh, Sue, Tualaulelei, Eseta and Ayre, Kay. 2022. "‘A damn sight more sensitivity’: gender and parent-school engagement during post-separation family transitions." Gender and Education. 34 (1), pp. 64-79. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2021.1902483
‘I’m trying to tell you this man is dangerous… and no one’s listening’: family violence, parent–school engagement and school complicity
Saltmarsh, Sue, Tualaulelei, Eseta and Ayre, Kay. 2021. "‘I’m trying to tell you this man is dangerous… and no one’s listening’: family violence, parent–school engagement and school complicity." The Australian Educational Researcher. 48 (4), pp. 771-794. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-020-00415-7
Socio-economic risk factors for early childhood underweight in Bangladesh
Chowdhury, Tuhinur Rahman, Chakrabarty, Sayan, Rakib, Muntaha, Saltmarsh, Sue and Davis, Kendrick A.. 2018. "Socio-economic risk factors for early childhood underweight in Bangladesh." Globalization and Health. 14 (1), pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-018-0372-7
‘The kid most likely’: Naming, Brutality and Silence within and beyond School Settings
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2012. "‘The kid most likely’: Naming, Brutality and Silence within and beyond School Settings ." Saltmarsh, Sue, Robinson, Kerry H. and Davies, Cristyn (ed.) Rethinking School Violence: Theory, Gender, Context. Houndmills, Basingstoke, UK. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 21-37
Introduction: The Case for Rethinking School Violence
Saltmarsh, Sue, Robinson, Kerry H. and Davies, Cristyn. 2012. "Introduction: The Case for Rethinking School Violence ." Saltmarsh, Sue, Robinson, Kerry H. and Davies, Cristyn (ed.) Rethinking school violence: theory, gender, context. Houndmills, Basingstoke, UK. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 1-18
Yes, professor
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2011. "Yes, professor." Writing on the Edge: a journal about writing and teaching writing. 21 (2), pp. 57-58.
Bodies and affect in non-traditional learning spaces
McPherson, Amy and Saltmarsh, Sue. 2017. "Bodies and affect in non-traditional learning spaces." Educational Philosophy and Theory. 49 (8). https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2016.1252904
‘You’re not just learning it, you’re living it!’: Constructing the ‘good life’ in Australian university online promotional videos
Gottschall, Kristina and Saltmarsh, Sue. 2017. "‘You’re not just learning it, you’re living it!’: Constructing the ‘good life’ in Australian university online promotional videos." Discourse: studies in the cultural politics of education. 38 (5), pp. 768-781. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2016.1158155
Putting ‘structure within the space’: spatially unresponsive pedagogic practices in open-plan learning environments
Saltmarsh, Sue, Chapman, Amy, Campbell, Matthew and Drew, Christopher. 2014. "Putting ‘structure within the space’: spatially unresponsive pedagogic practices in open-plan learning environments." Educational Review. 67 (3), pp. 315-327. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2014.924482
Economic subjectivities in higher education: self, policy and practice in the knowledge economy
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2011. "Economic subjectivities in higher education: self, policy and practice in the knowledge economy." Cultural Studies Review. 17 (2), pp. 115-139. https://doi.org/10.5130/csr.v17i2.2007
‘Inspired and assisted’ or ‘berated and destroyed’: research leadership, management and performativity in troubled times
Saltmarsh, Sue, Sutherland-Smith, Wendy and Randell-Moon, Holly. 2011. "‘Inspired and assisted’ or ‘berated and destroyed’: research leadership, management and performativity in troubled times." Ethics and Education. 6 (3), pp. 293-306. https://doi.org/10.1080/17449642.2011.632722
Storylines of accountability
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2012. "Storylines of accountability." Teaching and Learning: journal of natural inquiry and reflective practice. 26 (2), pp. 75-88.
Picturing natural girlhoods: nature, space and femininity in girls’ school promotions
Wardman, Natasha, Gottschall, Kristina, Drew, Christopher, Hutchesson, Rachael and Saltmarsh, Sue. 2013. "Picturing natural girlhoods: nature, space and femininity in girls’ school promotions." Gender and Education. 25 (3), pp. 284-294. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2012.756857
Issues of teacher professional learning within ‘non-traditional’ classroom environments
Campbell, Matthew, Saltmarsh, Sue, Chapman, Amy and Drew, Christopher. 2013. "Issues of teacher professional learning within ‘non-traditional’ classroom environments." Improving Schools. 16 (3), pp. 209-222. https://doi.org/10.1177/1365480213501057
Preparing for parents: how Australian teacher education is addressing the question of parent-school engagement
Saltmarsh, Sue, Barr, Jennifer and Chapman, Amy. 2015. "Preparing for parents: how Australian teacher education is addressing the question of parent-school engagement." Asia Pacific Journal of Education. 35 (1), pp. 69-84. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2014.906385
‘I’m just not that kind of person’: choice, agency and economic subjectivities in multicultural educational contexts
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2012. "‘I’m just not that kind of person’: choice, agency and economic subjectivities in multicultural educational contexts ." Wright, Handel Kashope, Singh, Michael and Race, Richard (ed.) Precarious international multicultural education: hegemony, dissent and rising alternatives. Rotterdam, Netherlands. Sense Publishers. pp. 117-131
The living dead and the dead living: contagion and complicity in contemporary universities
Randell-Moon, Holly, Saltmarsh, Sue and Sutherland-Smith, Wendy. 2013. "The living dead and the dead living: contagion and complicity in contemporary universities." Whelan, Andrew, Moore, Christopher and Walker, Ruth (ed.) Zombies in the academy: living death in higher education. Bristol, United Kingdom. Intellect Books. pp. 53-65
Managing the risky humanity of academic workers: risk and reciprocity in university work-life balance policies
Saltmarsh, Sue and Randell-Moon, Holly. 2015. "Managing the risky humanity of academic workers: risk and reciprocity in university work-life balance policies." Policy Futures in Education. 13 (5), pp. 662-682. https://doi.org/10.1177/1478210315579552
Childhood studies and play
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2014. "Childhood studies and play." Brooker, Liz, Blaise, Mindy and Edwards, Susan (ed.) The Sage handbook of play and learning in early childhood. London, United Kingdom. Sage Reference. pp. 91-102
Best foot forward, watching your step, jumping in with both feet, or sticking your foot in it? The politics of researching academic viewpoints
Saltmarsh, Sue, Sutherland-Smith, Wendy and Randell-Moon, Holly. 2011. "Best foot forward, watching your step, jumping in with both feet, or sticking your foot in it? The politics of researching academic viewpoints." Qualitative Research Journal. 11 (2), pp. 48-62. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ1102048
The Googled ethnographer
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2013. "The Googled ethnographer." Qualitative Research Journal. 13 (3), pp. 236-243. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-12-2012-0034
Conclusions: rethinking school violence: implications for theory, policy and practice
Saltmarsh, Sue, Robinson, Kerry H. and Davies, Cristyn. 2012. "Conclusions: rethinking school violence: implications for theory, policy and practice." Saltmarsh, Sue, Robinson, Kerry H. and Davies, Cristyn (ed.) Rethinking school violence: theory, gender, context. Houndmills, Basingstoke, UK. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 184-194
Heteronormativity, childhood and invisibilised consumption
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2012. "Heteronormativity, childhood and invisibilised consumption." Robinson, Kerry H. and Davies, Cristyn (ed.) Queer and subjugated knowledges: generating subversive imaginaries. Sharjah, UAE. Bentham Science Publishers. pp. 132-139
Elite education in the Australian context
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2016. "Elite education in the Australian context." Maxwell, Claire and Aggleton, Peter (ed.) Elite education: international perspectives. Milton Park, United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 42-54
Michel de Certeau, everyday life and cultural policy studies in education
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2015. "Michel de Certeau, everyday life and cultural policy studies in education." Gulson, Kalervo N., Clarke, Matthew and Petesen, Eva Bendix (ed.) Education policy and contemporary theory: implications for research. London, United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 27-38
‘No, I’m not OK’: disrupting ‘psy’ discourses of university mental health awareness campaigns
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2016. "‘No, I’m not OK’: disrupting ‘psy’ discourses of university mental health awareness campaigns." Petersen, Eva Bendix and Millei, Zsuzsanna (ed.) Interrupting the psy-disciplines in education . London, United Kingdom. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 167-184
The joy of privilege: elite private school online promotions and the promise of happiness
Drew, Christopher, Gottschall, Kristina, Wardman, Natasha and Saltmarsh, Sue. 2016. "The joy of privilege: elite private school online promotions and the promise of happiness." Koh, Aaron and Kenway, Jane (ed.) Elite schools: multiple geographies of privilege. New York, United States. Routledge. pp. 87-100
Bus ride to the future: cultural imaginaries of Australian childhood in the education landscape
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2011. "Bus ride to the future: cultural imaginaries of Australian childhood in the education landscape." Global Studies of Childhood. 1 (1), pp. 26-35. https://doi.org/10.2304/gsch.2011.1.1.26
Economy’s gaze: childhood, motherhood and ‘exemplary ordinariness’ in popular parenting magazines
Saltmarsh, Sue and North, Anna. 2011. "Economy’s gaze: childhood, motherhood and ‘exemplary ordinariness’ in popular parenting magazines." Global Studies of Childhood. 1 (4), pp. 314-320. https://doi.org/10.2304/gsch.2011.1.4.314
Ethnography, multiplicity and The Global Childhoods Project: reflections on establishing an interdisciplinary, transnational, multi-sited research collaboration
Yelland, Nicola and Saltmarsh, Sue. 2013. "Ethnography, multiplicity and The Global Childhoods Project: reflections on establishing an interdisciplinary, transnational, multi-sited research collaboration." Global Studies of Childhood. 3 (1), pp. 2-11. https://doi.org/10.2304/gsch.2013.3.1.2
The politics of normative childhoods and non-normative parenting: a response to Cristyn Davies and Kerry Robinson
Chapman, Amy and Saltmarsh, Sue. 2013. "The politics of normative childhoods and non-normative parenting: a response to Cristyn Davies and Kerry Robinson." Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood. 14 (1), pp. 60-65. https://doi.org/10.2304/ciec.2013.14.1.60
Michel de Certeau, everyday life and policy cultures: the case of parent engagement in education policy
Saltmarsh, Sue. 2015. "Michel de Certeau, everyday life and policy cultures: the case of parent engagement in education policy." Critical Studies in Education. 56 (1), pp. 38-54. https://doi.org/10.1080/17508487.2015.961166
Parenting the ‘Millennium Child’: choice, responsibility and playing it safe in uncertain times
Barr, Jenny, de Souza, Marian, Harrison, Cathie, Hyde, Brendan, Van Vliet, Helen and Saltmarsh, Sue. 2012. "Parenting the ‘Millennium Child’: choice, responsibility and playing it safe in uncertain times." Global Studies of Childhood. 2 (4), pp. 302-318. https://doi.org/10.2304/gsch.2012.2.4.302
‘It all comes down to the leadership’: the role of the school principal in fostering parent-school engagement
Barr, Jenny and Saltmarsh, Sue. 2014. "‘It all comes down to the leadership’: the role of the school principal in fostering parent-school engagement ." Educational Management Administration and Leadership. 42 (4), pp. 491-505. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143213502189