An Autoethnography on a life of Non-tenure track full-time professor as a Marginal man

Objectives This study attempted to see how the social structure affects an individual’s life, that is, the career of researchers who shape, teach, and study, through autoethnogrphy on the life of non-tenure track full-time professor as a marginal man. Methods To this end, this study conducted a autoethnography that can view and interpret the researcher’s experience within a socio-cultural context using the researhcer’s diary, KakaoTalk conversation, recall data, and literature data, and attempted to analyze socio-cultural interactions through the concept of habitus and symbolic boundaries. Results Through my experience as a professor in charge of projects, I came to recognize the identity of a professor in university society, and after becoming a full-time non-tenure track professor, I had time to embody my habihus as a professor in a disconnected room(cocoon). The strategy of distinguishing between various unequal systems and policies in society and universities was giving legitimacy to the boundary by changing the symbolic boundary of the non-tenure track into a social boundary. Theses boundaries had the effect of excluding researchers and themselves, thereby affecting their sense of belonging and other choices. Conclusions Unequal systems and polices affect the perception, identity, and lives of professors, which also affects the original purpose of university education. In order for university innovation to be successful, the participation and effort of all members, not just dedicated personnel, is required.