6533b7d2fe1ef96bd125ec16

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Professional agency in a university context: Academic freedom and fetters

Eija RäikkönenKatja VähäsantanenPäivi HökkäSusanna Paloniemi

subject

multimethod researchmedia_common.quotation_subjectIdentity (social science)Context (language use)EducationAgency (sociology)0501 psychology and cognitive sciencesSociologymedia_commonteachersbusiness.industry4. Education05 social sciencesSocial natureAcademic freedom050301 educationprofessional agencytoimijuusPublic relationsopettajat16. Peace & justiceQuestionnaire dataNegotiationleadersWork (electrical)higher educationkorkea-asteen koulutusbusiness0503 education050104 developmental & child psychology

description

Professional agency is an urgent topic in academic contexts, albeit relatively unexplored, and elaborated with contradictory conclusions on its extent and characteristics. To contribute to the discussion, this multimethod study investigated professional agency within a Finnish university. We utilised questionnaire data and interviews to explore agency, as manifested in influencing at work, developing work practices, and negotiating professional identity. We found that overall, these three dimensions of agency were manifested fairly substantially, and in a similar manner among the academic staff. The study further emphasises the social nature of professional agency, and presents theoretical and empirical considerations for future research. peerReviewed

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2020-03-01Teaching and Teacher Education
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2019.103000