Higher Education Academics’ Perspectives: Working from Home during COVID-19

COVID-19 has had a disruptive effect on higher education. A number of new studies have appeared to look at the effects on student learning. In 2020, an online survey to Australian Higher Education Academics was conducted during March-May to gather information about how academics were adjusting and transforming educational practices during the Pandemic. A range of questions were asked about the use of technologies (both pre and intra COVID-19), academics’ experiences with the sudden shift to working from home (WFH) arrangements and quality assurance measures for the digital technologies. This chapter focuses on the questions around WFH arrangements (sustainability, challenges and future preparedness) utilising both qualitative and quantitative data. Responses were received from 71 academics across 12 Australian universities/tertiary institutions. Academics (63%) perceived they could sustain their current WFH arrangements ‘indefinitely’. A number of challenges were raised regarding WFH including: general Pandemic anxiety, communication with colleagues, internet access with students and social isolation. Academics stated they utilised many methods to support students during the Pandemic but this will require continued support from their institutions if this is to be sustained long term where most perceive their institution will adopt blended learning in the post Pandemic period.