“Hope Labour”: The Reality of Sessional Academia
Jamie Paris
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Academic careers have long been associated with stability, prestige, and a clear path from graduate school to tenure. But in today’s universities, an increasing number of scholars find themselves trapped in precarious, low-paid sessional contracts – far from the secure careers they once envisioned.
In this episode of The Academic Issue, Dr. Jamie Paris joins Kate to discuss the systemic issues behind unstable employment in academia, drawing from his article The Exploitation Trap of Hope Labour. We explore the emotional and financial toll of “hope labour” and why universities continue to rely on precarious workers – but is real change possible?
Kate Kenyon
Producer and Host
Kate Kenyon is a digital content creator with a passion for research and academia.
Originally from the U.K., Kate began her career at The British Academy in London, where she collaborated with the Home Office to develop international mobility pathways for world-leading academics. Following a move to Montreal, she deepened her knowledge of the Canadian university landscape as the producer and host of Mitacs’ inaugural podcast, The Edge.
Kate holds a degree in Modern Languages from University College London, and speaks English, French, and Italian.
