Uncertainty in Higher Education: Being an Academic in the New World Order during and after the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the views of academics on the uncertainty situations created by the Covid-19 pandemic in higher education institutions. Applying the phenomenological method, one of the qualitative research methods, semi-structured interviews were conducted with academics working at a state university in Turkey. The study group was formed using the maximum variation sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling methods. The data were subjected to content analysis. Similar codes that emerged in the content analysis were grouped under the same themes. The findings show that academics have experienced some educational and bureaucratic uncertainties during the pandemic, most of which are related to remote teaching, course planning, and applied training. In addition, the findings show that the main sources of uncertainty are the process of adaptation to the pandemic, and the Council of Higher Education. The expectation that was highlighted the strongest by the academic staff are being transparent and engaging in joint production activities in combating uncertainty in higher education. The most important expectation from the administrators is asking for and valuing the stakeholder opinions and ideas. The main suggestions offered by the academics regarding the elimination of the uncertainties that arise during the pandemic were taking a joint decision, planned process management, and authorizing the academics.