What Makes a Difference? Exploring Micro-Praxes of Care for Parents in Academia

This paper explores how caring environments, seen as relational projects, can have a positive impact and foster hope for people who are unable to conform with the ideal worker in contemporary neoliberal organizations due to their caring responsibilities. Theoretically, we articulate relational care at the individual level as empathic, practical and allyship; empirically, we draw on 31 semi-structured interviews with mothers and fathers employed as academics in the UK to explore the micro acts and micro moments of care in organizing that can make a positive difference. We contribute to research on academic careers by showing how the establishment and nurturing of caring environments through micro-level interventions enables organizing for inclusivity and hope, which supports the experiences of parents in their work and academic careers.