Striking the balance between academic profession and family: a study of female academics in universities in the Greater Bay Area

Purpose This article focuses on female academics working in the universities located in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and examines their experiences and strategies to balance academic profession and motherhood. Design/methodology/approach Adopting qualitative research method, twenty female academics working in the GBA’s universities were interviewed. The participants were classified into two categories: professorate track and teaching track. Using thematic analysis, several themes emerged from the interview data. Findings For the group on the professorate track, three key themes are highlighted: persisting in professional pursuits, taking up research responsibilities, and achieving work-family balance. Correspondingly, for the group on the teaching track, three themes are also found: struggling for a PhD degree, surviving at the workplace, and seeking work-family balance. Furthermore, the findings reveal the significance of a supportive family structure in the practice of career path as well as motherhood practice, regardless of the professional stages they are in. Originality/value This article contributes a collective portrait of academic mothers in the GBA’s higher education institutions. It reflects their challenges and strategies for balancing dual roles and provides pragmatic advices for policymakers and higher institutions to enhance workplace conditions for female academics.