We present results from an NSF-funded study aimed at investigating how subtle biases and microaggressions manifest in the virtual work environment. For faculty in the academic workplace, the Covid 19 pandemic necessitated moving almost all work interactions to the virtual sphere and added demands outside of work. This led to considerable chaos and stress, and these changes may have differentially affected faculty from underrepresented groups. The purpose of this study was designed to investigate the impact these new forms of interaction have had on faculty; Specifically, we were interested in whether, and if so, how, women may have been disproportionately impacted by this “new environment”. Towards that end, we collected “Daily Diary” data which consisted of a 2–3-minute daily survey, conducted over the course of 14 days. Since the start of the Covid pandemic, we have collected data at 3 time points (Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021) from faculty of all races, genders, and disciplines nationwide. Preliminary analyses indicate that a lack of clear policies from university administration on responding to the pandemic resulted in many frustrations and anxieties, which appear to have disproportionately impacted women. Furthermore, working remotely seemed to result in faculty members being ignored or excluded from decision-making processes (again, disproportionately experienced by women). While the long term impact of the pandemic remains to be seen, it is likely these impacts will compound the negative impacts women in the academy have disproportionately experienced for decades.

Microaggressions in the virtual academic work environment

ACS Fall 2021

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