Understanding Work-life Balance Through the Experiences of Academics Who are International Migrants

Work-life balance in higher education has received coverage due to unmanageable workloads and unsustainable working practices in various countries. We highlight some of the evident and less evident impacts of the neoliberal university on the experiences of academic researchers. We gathered qualitative data at an institution of higher education in the UK by undertaking 55 qualitative interviews and soliciting two forms of written feedback. Analysis of these data suggested that academic researchers who stated they were international migrants may be particularly likely to encounter barriers to work-life balance. We conducted a narrative analysis focusing specifically on these accounts. Loneliness away from close family and friends, a lack of support networks, and a perceived need to impress new employers were all detrimental to work-life balance. We make recommendations for onboarding processes and mentorship opportunities for employees from overseas and enhanced support for international migrant academics who may struggle with work-life balance.