Interview Transcript 4
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hamzavkngInterview Transcript 4
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hamzavkngInterview Transcript 4
Teacher: Professor Sunil Kumar, Lecturer in Strategic Management
Question 1: What factors contribute to your overall wellbeing as a teacher in higher
education?
"My wellbeing is greatly influenced by the intellectual stimulation I receive from both my
colleagues and students. Engaging in meaningful academic discussions, debating ideas, and
exploring new perspectives keeps my work intellectually rewarding. Additionally, having
autonomy over my course content and teaching methods is vital because it allows me to be
creative and align my teaching with current industry developments and student needs. I feel
more motivated when the institution trusts faculty members to make academic decisions
independently. Opportunities for collaborative research, interdisciplinary projects, and
participation in academic conferences also contribute positively to my sense of professional
fulfilment. A respectful academic culture where ideas are valued irrespective of hierarchy
further enhances my emotional wellbeing."
Question 2: What challenges do you face that may affect your wellbeing as a teacher in
higher education?
"The constant pressure to conform to the high expectations of publishing and securing grants
can be overwhelming, impacting my mental health. There is often an implicit expectation that
faculty members must continuously prove their academic worth through measurable outputs.
This creates stress, especially when balancing research expectations alongside heavy teaching
responsibilities and administrative work. Competition for funding and publication
opportunities can sometimes create anxiety and reduce collaboration among colleagues.
Rejections from journals and grant agencies can also affect confidence and emotional
resilience. Another challenge is the uncertainty associated with changing institutional
priorities, accreditation pressures, and performance evaluation systems, which may make
faculty members feel insecure about career progression."
Question 3: How do you cope with stress and maintain your mental and emotional
wellbeing in your role as a teacher in higher education?
"I regularly engage in deep breathing exercises and take short walks during breaks. These
simple practices help me reset mentally during hectic days. I also find that having a mentor
within the institution helps in managing stress effectively because experienced colleagues
often provide perspective and reassurance during difficult periods. I try to avoid carrying
workplace stress into my personal life by consciously separating work time from family time
whenever possible. Informal conversations with trusted colleagues also help me process
frustrations and reduce feelings of isolation. I have realized that maintaining emotional
wellbeing in academia requires consciously slowing down and recognizing personal limits
instead of constantly pushing for productivity."
effectively."
Question 4: What institutional changes or support mechanisms do you believe would
enhance the overall wellbeing of teachers in higher education?
"Increasing the support for research by providing more grants and reducing teaching loads
could make a significant difference. Faculty members often struggle to produce quality
research due to lack of time and institutional resources. Additionally, fostering a more
collaborative environment where teachers can share challenges and solutions would be
beneficial. Institutions should encourage teamwork and peer learning instead of excessive
competition. Transparent communication from leadership regarding expectations and
evaluation criteria would also reduce anxiety. Providing structured mentoring programmes,
counselling support, and flexible workload policies during high-pressure periods could
improve wellbeing significantly. I believe institutions should recognize that faculty wellbeing
directly influences teaching quality, research productivity, and student outcomes."