Women, Academia, and Happiness

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the impact of domestic division of labor and research-related work patterns on women's happiness levels in academia since the beginning of the pandemic in Türkiye. Multilevel mixed effects generalized linear models demonstrate that while components related to unpaid domestic responsibilities have no statistically significant impact unlike expected, partner support has a meaningful positive effect. Worries regarding future career statistically significantly decrease the reported happiness levels, as support received from one's institution has an improving impact. Single predictor models show the diminishing influence of the negative effect pandemic had on research productivity and associated reactions from one's institution. Variance based on academic rank is only observed for the latter. Results refer to similar experiences of women in academia since the start of the pandemic regardless of academic rank and the significance of creating gender sensitive workplace policies in higher education to improve their well-being, especially in times of crises.