Abstract

This session will present a short literature review regarding the psychological health of professors and describe a collaborative, focus group research study conducted at a large North American university. This collaborative, action research was about naming/describing the problems as well as finding collaborative, systemic solutions. The following themes will be presented and discussed: (a) collegiality, lack of team work and conflicts with colleagues; (b) feeling “scattered”, unrealistic task, too many different things to do; (c) research funding, time, what is valued; and (d) feelings of absurdity, feeling disillusioned, difficulty finding meaning. Personal narratives in connection with the themes will be shared to illustrate how challenges might be negotiated.

Valerie Peters is currently a tenured professor of music education at Université Laval in Quebec City. She taught music classes at Rosemount High School in Montreal for 11 years. She is the recipient of a 3-year provincial government research grant to study intercultural music education. In addition, she conducts research on music teacher working conditions in the province of Quebec. She has also been awarded a SSHRC Insight Grant ($ 369,999) in collaboration with three other Canadian researchers to study artistic learning and youth arts engagement in a digital age and a Social Innovation Grant (2015, Université Laval) to implement a community music curriculum.