Ostracized Experiences of Precarious Women in the Academy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This chapter discusses precarious women's experiences in HEI in the UK to explore the precarity of academic women's work under extreme pandemic conditions. The authors analysed eight recurring themes that emerged from the qualitative analysis of the interviews conducted with 18 women who were married with children across London's 3 Higher Education Institutions, adding an intersectional lens. The current study revealed that precarious female academics, who were married with children, faced incredible challenges amidst the pandemic and were further ostracized. It concludes that HEI need to reflect on how they could promote social justice offering opportunities for these women and their families. While previous researchers have reported on the challenges of women in the academy, few have explored the challenges of these ‘invisible' ladies, especially those married with children, who often do more than they are paid for and still remain in the dark.