The impact of COVID-19 on academic aeromobility practices: Hypocrisy or moral quandary?

Abstract

Academics have long regarded air travel as vital to pursuing a successful career. Meanwhile, many academics are at the frontline of climate change science and advocate the urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The conflict between combating global warming and high aeromobility practices traps academics in a loop of hypocrisy. However, COVID-19 presents an opportunity for academics to advance their research and careers with reduced aeromobility. This research investigates how academics have adapted to virtual working experiences during COVID-19 and the implications for establishing changes in aeromobility practices. Informed by the theory of practice change, this paper reports the findings of a comprehensive survey and interview programme in New Zealand. It provides insights into the prospects for reduced aeromobility and the institutional policy frameworks required to embed a new normal, considering the unique circumstances faced by academics working at geographically remote institutions. The findings reveal that instead of being trapped in a loop of hypocrisy, New Zealand academics face a moral quandary in being concerned about climate change and wishing to reduce aeromobility practices, while wanting to avoid compromising career success. Recommendations for academics to face this moral quandary and their institutions to support practice change are proposed.

Keywords:

• Climate change
• academic aeromobility
• loop of hypocrisy
• moral quandary
• COVID-19
• remote institutions

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge all participants for their engagement in this research. Thanks to Professor Richard Blaikie (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Enterprise) and Ray O’Brien (Head of Sustainability) at the University of Otago for their support, and the anonymous reviewers for their helpful suggestions.