“Happily tired”: A descriptive qualitative study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women academics in Qatar

Daher-Nashif, Suhad; Khaled, Salma Mawfek; O'Hara, Lily; Alsayed Hassan, Diana; Al-Wattary, Noor; Al-Jayyousi, Ghadir Fakhri; Kane, Tanya; Abdul Rahim, Hanan; Zolezzi, Monica

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted existing gender inequalities and inequities in academia, such as unequal workload distribution and insufficient recognition of women's scientific and institutional contributions. This study aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women academics in Qatar. We employed a descriptive qualitative design and conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 participants from government and semi-government higher education institutions. We used the intersectionality framework to examine how various social identities interacted to influence the impact of the pandemic. Thematic analysis revealed a range of positive and negative impacts on the professional and personal lives of women, personal and institutional moderating factors, and coping strategies. We conclude that higher education institutions need to develop systems and structures to reduce existing gender inequities and mitigate the inequitable impact of emergencies and disasters.

Citation

Daher-Nashif, S., Khaled, S. M., O'Hara, L., Alsayed Hassan, D., Al-Wattary, N., Al-Jayyousi, G. F., …Zolezzi, M. (2024). “Happily tired”: A descriptive qualitative study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women academics in Qatar. Women's Studies International Forum, 106, Article 102971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2024.102971

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 6, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Aug 10, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-09
• Deposit Date: Sep 13, 2024
• Journal: Women's Studies International Forum
• Print ISSN: 0277-5395
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-243X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 106
• Article Number: 102971
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2024.102971
• Keywords: Women academicsHigher educationCOVID-19 pandemicWellbeingIntersectionalityGenderInequity
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/920622
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277539524001092?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: “Happily tired”: A descriptive qualitative study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women academics in Qatar; Journal Title: Women's Studies International Forum; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2024.102971; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.