Empowering Academics in the Digital Age: Navigating the Transformation of Higher Education

ABSTRACT This study examines the multifaceted impact of digital transformation on academic staff in higher education, focusing on their lived experiences at a public university in Turkey. As universities increasingly integrate digital technologies into their core operations, this transformation is reshaping teaching, research and administrative practices. Drawing on a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study involved 25 faculty members and examined how digitalization affects academic roles, professional development, workload, motivation and perceptions of institutional policies. The findings reveal that while digital transformation offers opportunities for innovation, flexibility and global collaboration, it also presents significant challenges, including increased workload, administrative burden, digital fatigue and inequities in access and competence. Participants emphasised the importance of acquiring digital competencies, receiving institutional support and being included in decision‐making processes regarding technology use. The study highlights the need for inclusive, sustainable and ethically grounded digital strategies in higher education and calls for stronger alignment between institutional policies and the realities experienced by academic staff. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of how universities can empower faculty to navigate the digital age effectively while fulfilling their social and educational missions.