Why Professors Hate Their Jobs: A Critique of the Pedagogy of Academic Disengagement

Abstract

This article explores reasons why many academics “hate” their jobs. The authors explore the current state of the academy and focus upon its values, culture, and possibilities. They contend that the academy fosters a pedagogy (defined broadly) of disengagement, and ask: Why might these feelings exist? What possibilities for edification exist? How might we move towards these possibilities? Both pragmatic and philosophical are explored and the authors make seven suggestions that might help more fruitfully engage academics in their work. These suggestions include changes to our language, values and worldviews, norms, and the way we create and use artifacts.