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Mobility and Professional Networks in Academia: An Exploration of the Obligations of Presence

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  • T. Storme
  • J.R. Faulconbridge
  • J.V. Beaverstock
  • B. Derudder
  • F. Witlox

Abstract

This article explores the obligations of presence behind work-related mobility for academics in internationalizing higher education systems. By further developing John Urry’s concept of ‘meetingness’, the article reveals how academics depend on corporeal and virtual mobility to create and maintain a networked professional life outside their own institution, which is crucial in the context of changing work conditions. Our insights are drawn from original qualitative research (42 interviews) in a Flemish and Danish context. The data reveal obligations of presence associated with an interrelated mix of functionality, and the construction of dense and sparse social networks that together support career success and work at the frontiers of academic knowledge. Despite the now well-recognized costs of corporeal mobility, obligations of presence result in virtual and corporeal mobility coexisting, rather than the former substituting for the latter. Virtual mobility is mainly used when conflicting obligations of presence exist, and as a means of sustaining networks over time given the processual nature of meetingness, rather than as a means to reduce levels of corporeal mobility.

Suggested Citation

  • T. Storme & J.R. Faulconbridge & J.V. Beaverstock & B. Derudder & F. Witlox, 2017. "Mobility and Professional Networks in Academia: An Exploration of the Obligations of Presence," Mobilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(3), pages 405-424, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rmobxx:v:12:y:2017:i:3:p:405-424
    DOI: 10.1080/17450101.2015.1116884
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    1. Peter Maskell & Harald Bathelt & Anders Malmberg, 2005. "Building Global Knowledge Pipelines The Role of Temporary Clusters," DRUID Working Papers 05-20, DRUID, Copenhagen Business School, Department of Industrial Economics and Strategy/Aalborg University, Department of Business Studies.
    2. Peter Maskell & Harald Bathelt & Anders Malmberg, 2005. "Building global knowledge pipelines: The role of temporary clusters," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(8), pages 997-1013, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Veronica Ahonen & Mika Siljander & Petri Pellikka & Tino Johansson & Mikko Rask, 2021. "The Sustainability of Academic Air Mobility in Finnish Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Isabel Schrems & Paul Upham, 2020. "Cognitive Dissonance in Sustainability Scientists Regarding Air Travel for Academic Purposes: A Qualitative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Clare Shelley-Egan, 2020. "Testing the Obligations of Presence in Academia in the COVID-19 Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-10, August.
    4. repec:hig:wpaper:103sti2019 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Henning Kroll & Peter Neuhäusler, 2022. "“Formal and informal networkedness among German Academics”: exploring the role of conferences and co-publications in scientific performance," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(11), pages 6431-6452, November.
    6. Aksel Biørn-Hansen & Daniel Pargman & Elina Eriksson & Mario Romero & Jarmo Laaksolahti & Markus Robért, 2021. "Exploring the Problem Space of CO 2 Emission Reductions from Academic Flying," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-20, November.
    7. Caset, Freke & Boussauw, Kobe & Storme, Tom, 2018. "Meet & fly: Sustainable transport academics and the elephant in the room," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 64-67.

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