Rewarding work on declining resources

The Finnish Union of University Professors has conducted a survey to examine professors’ working conditions and their perspectives on the universities as employers. The survey was conducted in June 2016. Approximately one third of the members who work in universities responded to the survey.

How satisfied are you with your opportunities to conduct research / artistic activities?
Workplace-specific distributions(%)

Workplace	Very or fairly satisfied	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied	Very or rather dissatisfied
Hanken School of Economics n=9	Very or fairly satisfied 675 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 22 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 11 %
University of Jyväskylä n=59	Very or fairly satisfied 56 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 15 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 29 %
Aalto University n=35	Very or fairly satisfied 50 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 12 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 38 %
University of Helsinki n=138	Very or fairly satisfied 50 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 12 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 38 %
University of Eastern Finland n=53	Very or fairly satisfied 45 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 13 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 42 %
University of Tampere n=40	Very or fairly satisfied 45 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 10 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 45 %
University of Turku n=65	Very or fairly satisfied 44 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 23 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 33 %
Tampere University of Technology n=23	Very or fairly satisfied 43 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 13 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 54 %
University of Lapland n=10	Very or fairly satisfied 40 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 20 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 40 %
Lappeenranta University of Technology n=15	Very or fairly satisfied 33 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 13 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 54 %
University of Oulu n=31	Very or fairly satisfied 32 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 20 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 48 %
University of Vaasa n=16	Very or fairly satisfied 31 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 25 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 44 %
Åbo Akademi University n=26	Very or fairly satisfied 31 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 19 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 50 %
University of the Arts Helsinki n=9	Very or fairly satisfied 11 %	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 44 %	Very or rather dissatisfied 44 %

The survey helped to gain a picture of the many roles that professors hold within the field of research. Professors serve as visionaries when planning new scientific initiatives and developing ideas for new projects utilising international networks. They raise research funding and lead research teams by providing guidance and encouragement for young researchers. Professors also act as independent researchers.

“I think that the most essential role lies in leading the research teams, because, in optimal situations, this concept alone comprises the roles of visionary, facilitator, supervisor and active researcher.”

However, professors are not satisfied with the extent of opportunities available to carry out research. Nearly 40 per cent of the respondents were dissatisfied with their opportunities to conduct research. Of the main branch-specific groups, the most dissatisfied were those working in humanities and social sciences.

The university’s research period system has, for some, provided an opportunity to focus on research. Some of the universities do not, however, have any type of research period system in place. In this case, the provision in the general collective agreement (TES) for a ‘poor man’s research period’ that is free from the responsibilities of teaching and administrative work has made it possible for professors to conduct independent research. In certain units, efforts have been made to schedule the teaching periods so that each professor would have one free period each academic year for research purposes.

The obstacles involved in actually realising a research period also include the difficulty in disengaging fully from teaching or administrative tasks and funding rounds. As one professor stated, professor are the ‘breadwinners for their research teams’. The demand to spend time abroad, as part of the research period system, has proven to be challenging for many professors with families. Furthermore, as the employee co-operation negotiations become more common within the universities, there is a fear that one’s own position may disappear while one is away doing research.

The respondents expressed the hope that the research period system might be taken into use at those universities that have not, as yet, adopted such a system. The Foundations’ Professor Pool gave many professors the opportunity to focus on research, but the Professor Pool is being closed down.

Professors amidst the jungle of research funding

The survey responses reflect a great deal of frustration as relates to applications for research funding. The process consumes a lot of time and resources, which are then away from other work. The professors have already been evaluated, so the respondents feel that it would be reasonable to simply secure sufficient operational funds. The professors would like an annual personal appropriation for research in order to save the time it takes to apply for small-scale funds.

“We have been forced to seek out the prerequisites for research and teaching on our own from external sources. It would be like journalists for YLE broadcasting to have to apply for external grants to do their reporting trips and film their programmes.”

Some of the respondents feel that the process of applying for research funding will, in fact, be even more emphasised in the future and it will be more difficult to raise funding. They fear that external funding may steer and determine the research areas. The respondents also predicted that, in the future, the distribution of research funding will end up further polarising the professors into top researchers and those who have difficulties getting research funding.

More local support services – both physically and mentally

Earlier surveys have already revealed deficiencies in the availability of assisting personnel. In the current survey, 72 per cent of respondents felt that the availability of assisting personnel had weakened even further. Many feel that support services have decreased. One reason is the centralisation of support services— assisting personnel has been drawn away from the departments.

“As the assisting personnel has declined, it has left the professors drowning in excessive paperwork.”

The respondents stated that the universities are under increasing pressure to raise funding themselves. Professors also give positive feedback concerning the universities’ research services. The research services offer training and advice, assist in drawing up funding applications, and help in project planning, management and reporting. The respondents would like to see the universities’ research services recruit more professionals to prepare project proposals and act as lobbyists.

Professors want a say in decision-making

According to the survey, professors are able to influence their own work. On the other hand, they state that they do not have sufficient influence on the activities and decision-making within their organisations. More than half of the respondents felt that they did not get enough or timely information about the activities of the top management within their own universities. It is baffling that more than half of the respondents feel that the top management of the university are not interested in their opinions. The professors would like the opportunity to influence, among other things, the universities’ strategies, research priorities, structural reforms, budgets and administrative and leadership processes. The professors also wish they had a say in deciding who will make the decisions.

The respondents were also asked to provide ideas for improving the possibilities for influence. The professors proposed, among other things, an increase in interaction in the form of official or unofficial meetings, a more open exchange of information already at the preparatory phase, more extensive information concerning the background of decisions (also numerical data), more democratic and transparent decision-making processes and a change in the leadership culture.

Would you recommend your employer to your friends?

Of those professors who responded to the survey, 37 per cent have seriously considered changing their jobs lately and 39 per cent have considered retiring on old-age pension as soon as they reach the minimum retirement age. The work pace and stress have increased, the opportunities for influence in the university’s decision-making processes have lessened, the financial resources are dwindling, managerial duties have increased and competition has stiffened. The list of complaints is a long one. Despite this fact, two thirds of the respondents would still recommend their own employers to friends. University work is rewarding, and professors are strongly committed to their work and the development of their own fields.

“The fruitful collaboration with research colleagues and students remains a source of great satisfaction in this job.”

---