Introduction
The recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs. Wade is just one of many events that has rocked women in the United States and across the world. Increased gun violence, war in Ukraine, Black Lives Matter, ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the #metoo movement, and an array of other unanticipated occurrences have vastly changed the world we live in, and how we frame ourselves in it (Dodge, Elgert, & Paul, 2022). Since our surroundings, locally, nationally, and globally are currently in constant flux, essentially to the point of turmoil, how we see ourselves and understand who we are within the disarray is in a state of evolution as well (Malcolm, 2022). For most academics, centering themselves and finding stability within their own microcosm is necessary, and healthy, so that they can successfully function in a world in flux (Degn, 2018). Currently, finding stability within oneself often means realigning our priorities, ways of functioning, and goals (Clark & Carl, 2020; De Jong, Ziegler, & Schippers, 2020; Kuntz, 2021). Finding ways to make ourselves whole is empowering, and necessary, to help put our topsy turvy world back on its axis again.
For women in higher education, recentering or realigning one’s sense of self requires assessing primary concerns, desires, and responsibilities and situating them in a healthy way in both the personal and professional (Puliatte, 2021; Zappala-Piemme, 2021). Given that higher education was founded on a culture of masculinity, the backbone of which still exists today, women struggle to find their voice and space in the academy at the best of times (Schnackenberg & Simard, 2017). Add to that a world in chaos, pushing in on the edges of higher education, and women academics have an expanded burden with which to contend (Schnackenberg & Simard, 2021). Reigniting empowerment for women currently working in colleges or universities requires realigning and recentering - essentially reforming identity - for a world that is reshaping itself before our very eyes.
The current volume hopes to bring to light and share stories and research on how women academics create stability in their lives and empower themselves and others in a time of uncertainty and confusion.
References
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De Jong, E. M., Ziegler, N., & Schippers, M. C. (2020). From shattered goals to meaning in life: Life crafting in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 577708. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.577708
Degn, L. (2018). Academic sensemaking and behavioural responses - exploring how academics perceive and respond to identity threats in times of turmoil. Studies in Higher Education, 23(2), 305-321. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2016.1168796
Dodge, J., Elgert, L., & Paul, R. (2022). On the social relevance of Critical Policy Studies in times of turmoil. Critical Policy Studies, 16(2), 131-132. https://doi.org/10.1080/19460171.2022.2060844
Kuntz, J. C. (2021). Resilience in times of global pandemic: Steering recovery and thriving trajectories. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 70(1), 188–215. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12296
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Zappala-Piemme, K.E. (2021) Caring for yourself and keeping connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Schnackenberg, H.L. & Simard, D.A. (Eds), Women and leadership in higher education during global crisis (pp. 147-158). IGI Global.