Reconfiguring academic feeling rules: Ramifications of digital violence

This study delves into the complex emotional responses of academics subjected to online violence, presenting a comprehensive exploration of this pervasive issue. Leveraging semi-structured individual interviews with eleven academics – from diverse academic levels and institutions in Europe and the United States – who reported experiencing online attacks, our research explains the intricate nature of their emotional experiences. The interviews offered insights into participants' coping strategies, emotional states during and after incidents, and the impact of these emotions on decision-making processes. Integrating sociological work on feeling and expression rules, and emotional work, with perspectives specifically focusing on gender, work, and emotions, our study sheds light on how academics encountered a phase of uncertainty in established conduct and emotional norms while navigating online harassment. This research then contributes a nuanced understanding of the emotional landscapes of academics facing online harassment, shedding light on coping mechanisms, emotional complexities, and ethical considerations inherent in this domain.