An examination of the work precarity of early career academics

This thesis examines the work precarity of early career academics (ECA), drawing on a multidisciplinary framework of employment relations (ER), labour process theory (LPT) and labour market segmentation (LMS). Academic jobs, which require a high standard of education, are often perceived as quality jobs which are secure and well paid. However, the nature of academic labour has changed, and a growing number of ECA are employed on a succession of non-standard forms of employment (NSFE), which limit meaningful career development opportunities. Hence key elements of work precarity are evident in employment in higher education (HE), and features, consequences and outcomes of such precarity among ECA are the focus of this thesis.

A mixed methods approach to data collection was adopted, conducted over two phases. In the first phase, a survey gathered data from 500 ECA employed in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and United Kingdom (UK) and formed the foundations of the research. In the second phase, 50 semi-structured interviews were conducted with ECA, trade union representatives, and trade union officials across ROI and Northern Ireland (NI) which is part of the UK context. Publicly available data was also used to develop understanding of the HE employment landscape.

The findings show the importance of entry level internal labour markets (ILM), including specifically the role of front-line managers (FLM). Work intensification was evident and ECA undertake additional (free) labour to build favour with FLM to try and mitigate precarity. These features have led to a new competitive arena for entry level employment in HE. ECA who are employed on NSFE are exposed to a power-imbalance at all levels of the HE hierarchy and a structured antagonism affecting trade union mobilisation in the sector.

The research contributes new knowledge to debates on regulatory gaps in legislative protection for ECA have been identified. The research also shows ILM control over entry level to employment in HE and the central role FLM play in managing the labour indeterminacy of ECA. Further, the research contributes to knowledge on debates relating to the constraints which competition for employment in HE has placed on mobilising ECA.