The growing academic publishing pressure and contract exploitation of adjunct faculty represents one of higher education’s most systemic labor crises. Universities increasingly demand research output from part-time instructors without providing compensation or job security, primarily to satisfy accreditation bodies like AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).
The Accreditation Paradox: Research Demands Without Resources
Accreditation standards often require universities to demonstrate faculty research productivity. However, as explained in AACSB’s official guidelines, institutions frequently meet these requirements by exploiting contingent faculty. Adjuncts typically:
- Receive no research funding or release time
- Work without health benefits or retirement plans
- Face non-renewal threats for insufficient publications
Hidden Costs of Precarious Academic Labor
According to American Association of University Professors, 70% of U.S. faculty now hold contingent positions. This shift creates:
- Chronic financial instability for educators
- Compromised research quality due to time constraints
- Ethical violations in labor practices
Transitioning to fair labor practices requires systemic change. Institutions must either properly compensate research labor or adjust accreditation standards to reflect actual faculty working conditions. The current model ultimately harms educational quality while exploiting vulnerable academics.
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