Tackling Complex Social Challenges within Neoliberal Constraints: The Context Shaping ‘Intellectual Quality of Life’ (iQoL) in a Canadian University Context

Suzanne Huot, Jocelyn McKay, Skye Barbic, Alison Wylie, Dominique Weis, Sarah Bean Sherman and Liisa Holsti
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Suzanne Huot: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
Jocelyn McKay: Designing for People, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
Skye Barbic: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
Alison Wylie: Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
Dominique Weis: Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
Sarah Bean Sherman: Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
Liisa Holsti: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Societies, 2020, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: The contemporary academic environment in Canada has undergone reorganization based on neoliberal principles, and has increased attention focused on the importance of supporting interdisciplinary initiatives to address complex problems affecting global society. The purpose of our study was to examine the experience of people participating in a specific university-funded interdisciplinary research initiative. As there is a strong emphasis within this program on reporting on the outcomes of the funding that supports interdisciplinary collaboration, our aim was to explore how participation may shape one’s intellectual quality of life (iQoL) and how one’s iQoL could be conceptualized and understood. Using a pragmatic constructivist case study, focus group and individual interviews were undertaken with 30 participants involved with university-funded interdisciplinary research teams. Findings illustrate that their iQoL was shaped by their capacity to engage in and achieve what they viewed as their core work and its outcomes. Related sub-themes addressed the social and relational climate, institutional environment and structure, and expectations and resources. We argue that further development of iQoL as a unique construct is required to adequately measure the full range of people’s experiences in academia, particularly when aiming to address ‘wicked’ social and global problems within a predominantly neoliberal context.

Keywords: academia; innovation; interdisciplinary; neoliberal; quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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