Breaking the Silence: The Unionization of Postdoctoral Workers at the University of California

Camacho, Sayil; Rhoads, Robert A.

doi:10.1080/00221546.2015.11777365

Cited by 12 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The incentives of faculty members to hire postdocs are clear. Some postdocs feel abused by these financial and work‐related realities and have formed labour unions, as in the University of California system, with 6500 postdocs in UAW Local 5810 (Camacho and Rhoads, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Postdoc Queue: A Labour Force in Waiting

2018

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Postdoctoral fellows (postdocs) comprise a large sector of the US scientific workforce. A substantial majority of postdocs are in a holding pattern, seeking tenure‐track assistant professorships. We model the postdoc population as a labour force in waiting—in queue. Postdocs enter the queue as they start their first postdoctoral appointment, and they leave in one of two ways: (i) obtaining the ‘queue service’ desired by the majority of postdocs, that is, an assistant professorship, or (2) reneging from the queue and seeking other positions. Using recent data from the US Survey of Doctorate Recipients, we show that the postdoc queue is one of those rare queueing systems where most of the queuers eventually renege rather than receive service. We find that only about 17% of postdocs ultimately land tenure‐track positions. The mean time in queue (postdoc career length) is 2.9 years, with significant variations across disciplines. We discuss policy implications. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Number of postdocs in the US by major field 1987–2014. Data source: Survey of Doctorate Recipients (National Science Foundation, ). [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Postdoc Queue: A Labour Force in Waiting

2018

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“…During this time, I conducted two pilot studies to explicitly understand power dynamics within the postdoctorate. The first study provided information as to why establishing a union was necessary for the general welfare of the population (Camacho & Rhoads, 2015). The second study confirmed statistically significant differences between resident and nonresident postdocs as it pertained to labor violations, in which nonresident postdocs experienced additional labor violations.…”

Section: Transformative Mixed Methods Study Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the postdoctorate is oftentimes experienced as a low-paying academic position that offers limited employment stability (NRC, 2000; NRC 2005a, 2005b; NSF, 2009; Stephan, 2012). For the IPD community, workplace vulnerability may be exacerbated due to their temporary worker status (Camacho, & Rhoads, 2015; Cantwell & Lee, 2010; Stephan, 2012). Issues of visa types, various degrees of rights and freedoms, institutional power dynamics, workplace advocacy, and the fragility of one’s academic reputation are inherent matters to the IPD workforce (Camacho, & Rhoads, 2015; Cantwell & Lee, 2010; Stephan, 2012).…”

Section: Objective and Background For The Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

From Theory to Practice: Operationalizing Transformative Mixed Methods with and for the Studied Population

Camacho

2019

Journal of Mixed Methods Research

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This study details the research practices that were developed to operationalize the guiding principles of the transformative mixed methods design. A transformative, explanatory-sequential mixed methods design was utilized to examine the workplace experiences of academic migrants and findings from the study supported better work conditions for the population. Two critical theoretical frameworks were implemented—migrant identity and intersectionality—and the study also illustrates how theoretical frameworks can serve to amplify the transformative paradigm in both phases of the mixed methods design. This study makes a significant contribution to the field of mixed methods by exhibiting rigorous research practices that operationalize the transformative criteria and demonstrates how to actualize social justice with and for the studied population.

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“…At the same time, researchers have pointed out that regardless of the factors deriving the decision to merge, specific circumstances of an individual institution greatly influence the change process and the way it is perceived by its stakeholders (Mathieson, 2012;Chen et al, 2010). This justifies the predominate application of case study research in this area (Almansour and Kempner, 2015;Camacho and Rhoads, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In retrospect: a case of merger in higher education

Leslie

Abu-Rahma

Jaleel

2018

IJEM

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Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to examine the merger of two distinct higher education institutions. The change process was studied from the perspective of multiple stakeholders, and its major outcomes were evaluated in terms of various dimensions of success. Design/methodology/approach -The study uses a qualitative research design. For the purpose of data collection, semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were used, targeting key decisions makers that led the change process. Additionally, university constituents, comprising students, faculty, and staff who were present during the merger, were invited to participate in an online survey. Findings -Findings indicate that, although the merger deal appeared good on paper, it was not executed as well as it could have been, and the aftermath yielded lower than expected returns. The systems were not integrated properly, and cultural elements were overlooked, resulting in an anomic organizational environment, in place of what should have been a more cohesive academic community. The study establishes that institutions considering a merger should ensure that effective leadership is put in place to manage the implementation and that the cultures and identities are addressed and integrated as early as possible.Research limitations/implications -Although the findings of this study are limited to the case of one university, it forms an illustrative example for other institutions that are undergoing or considering major change. Recommendations are given to avoid the pitfalls of merger in areas such as integration, identity and, leadership. Originality/value -Contemporary research establishes mergers as one of the most crucial change processes a university goes through. This study contributes to the literature by using a micro-level approach to study an institutional merger and targeting the perception of key university constituencies, thereby providing in-depth analysis and a multidimensional outlook.

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Breaking the Silence: The Unionization of Postdoctoral Workers at the University of California

Abstract: This article examines the postdoctoral unionization movement at the University of Cali

Cited by 12 publications

References 24 publications

The Postdoc Queue: A Labour Force in Waiting

The Postdoc Queue: A Labour Force in Waiting

From Theory to Practice: Operationalizing Transformative Mixed Methods with and for the Studied Population

In retrospect: a case of merger in higher education

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