Those Who Forget Working Hours: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Academics in the Field of Political Science and International Relations

Abstract

The COVID-19 Pandemic has led to radical changes in individuals' business and private lives. In addition to the anxiety created by the Pandemic and the increase in the burden of care at home, the demands of business life crystallized in online meetings did not decrease; on the contrary, the business life became more competitive and demanding. It was impossible for academics engaged in social science, who defined their purpose as understanding/explaining the world they live in, not to be affected by this change. As part of the field they studied, we might have been even more affected by this change. Based on the responses of 258 academics working in the field of political science and international relations in Turkey to an internet survey study conducted in March 2021, this study aims to explore the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the professional and private life of academics, clearly reveals the negative impact of this process on academics. While showing, it revealed that gender roles, age, title, and similar segregations multiply the negative effects. The research study concluded by emphasizing that the well-being of academics should be prioritized.