Quality of work life of academics in Australian universities: a pilot study

A cross-sectional study of the work environment and Quality of Work Life (QWL) of academics in Australian universities is in progress. The study aims to: (1) establish current levels of academic QWL, and (2) identify the relative importance of role, job, supervisory, structural, and sectoral characteristics to academic QWL. To meet these aims, the study's primary data collection instrument, the Academic Work Environment Survey (AWES), was developed. This paper reports on the piloting of the AWES across three campuses of Monash University. Findings relate to the unidimensionality, reliability and construct validity of the AWES scales. An overview of academics' quantitative responses to the AWES is also reported. A brief conceptualisation and operationalisation of academic QWL is first provided.