Playlists
As part of the survey, we asked participants to think about and provide the name of a piece of music that represents their changed approach to their work. Based on their responses to the music question we have developed a suite of 7 playlists that audibly capture professional journeys across the globe.
Here are some of these playlists and we will gradually release these over the coming months.
Academic Turning Points 1: Reframing Perspectives on Work-Life Balance
This playlist explores the profound need for balance, perspective and self-compassion amid academia's relentless demands. These tracks refer to introspection, slowing down, gaining clarity and better work-life balance.
Listen on spotify
Academic Turning Points 2: Anthems of Resilience and Ambition
This playlist offers up empowering anthems about persevering, overcoming challenges, and maintaining strength and ambition in the face of adversity. The lyrics encourage resilience and persisting despite setbacks. These motivational songs helped some of our participants to get through difficult times and continue pursuing their goals.
Listen on spotify
Academic Turning Points 3: Embarking on New Journeys of Change
This playlist captures songs about change, new beginnings, journeys, and processes of self-discovery. The lyrics explore themes of growth, transformation, and embracing new paths in life. For some participants, these songs represented taking control and finding new approaches after realizing their previous work situations were untenable.
Listen on spotify
Academic Turning Points 4: Rejecting the Academic Norm in Protest
The songs in this playlist reject societal norms and institutions through defiant, rebellious lyrics protesting against oppressive systems and advocating for change. Some participants saw these anthems as a "call to arms" and way to channel feelings of frustration against unsupportive or exploitative workplace environments.
Listen on spotify
Academic Turning Points 5: Overcoming Adversity and Challenges
The songs collected in this playlist give voice to dealing with adversity, hardship, and various challenges through their lyrics describing struggles, difficulties, and coping mechanisms. Participants highlighted how these songs resonated with feelings of lacking support, facing retaliation, and struggling with mental health issues in toxic work environments.
Listen on spotify
Academic Turning Point 6: Melodies of Contemplation and Reflection
This meditative playlist contains songs, many instrumental, that provide space for deep contemplation and reflection through their calming, moving, thought-provoking melodies and arrangements. Participants expressed using these pieces as a way to find clarity, be present, and appreciate subtleties amid the chaos of academic life.
Listen on spotify
Academic Turning Point 7: Embracing Freedom, Independence and Reminiscing the Academic Journey
This playlist blends themes of academic freedom and nostalgia. Some tracks celebrate ideals of freedom and independence, representing a shift towards prioritizing personal autonomy over institutional demands for academics. Other songs evoke nostalgia through sentimental lyrics reflecting on the past and cherished memories. Participants noted these songs connected to thoughts about their identity as academics. The playlist explores the tension between self-determination and institutional constraints, while also touching on themes of reminiscence and the passage of time.
Listen on spotify