Balancing Act: Managing Faculty Workload, Burnout, and Innovation

As the higher education landscape continues to undergo rapid transformation, understanding faculty needs has never been more critical. Our 2024 Faculty Survey Report reveals valuable insights into the evolving roles and responsibilities of faculty across U.S. colleges and universities. With over 500 faculty members surveyed across two-year and four-year institutions, this report uncovers the unique challenges educators face today as they balance teaching in-person, online, and hybrid courses while integrating new technology tools, including artificial intelligence (AI).

The Expanding Scope of Faculty Work

Faculty today are investing significant time to adapt their teaching methods for multiple learning environments, leading to heightened risks of faculty burnout. Our survey findings show that faculty dedicate an average of 156 hours per semester to preparing established courses, with this number jumping to 179 hours for new courses. The increased workload, combined with a desire to keep students engaged across formats, leaves 69% of educators feeling that they don’t have enough time to teach effectively—a jump from 55% in 2022.

Key Priorities in Faculty Teaching

Even with these pressures, faculty maintain a strong focus on student engagement. They highlight three essential priorities for effective teaching:

Clear Communication: Setting expectations and providing structured guidance.
Engagement: Creating interactive and meaningful learning experiences.
Community Building: Encouraging student connections and relevance in course materials.

These priorities underscore faculty dedication to student-centered learning, with 84% of faculty reporting that seeing students achieve learning breakthroughs is the most fulfilling part of their role.

Rising Faculty Burnout and the Call for Institutional Support

Faculty burnout is reaching critical levels as educators strive to meet teaching demands across multiple formats. Although institutions are expanding mental health and course design resources, many faculty feel these supports don’t align with their daily routines. Proactive and tailored support for faculty is essential to help alleviate workload pressures, support their well-being, and reduce burnout.

Embracing Innovation and AI in Education

The rapid growth of AI is reshaping higher education, with our survey indicating a significant rise in AI experimentation among faculty—from 22% early in 2023 to 72% by year’s end. Many faculty see the potential of AI to enhance learning, but they express a need for more structured support to integrate these tools effectively and ethically.

Next Steps for Supporting Faculty in Higher Education

Institutions can play a pivotal role in supporting faculty through:

Prioritizing Faculty Well-Being: Invest in mental health and wellness resources to help mitigate burnout.
Providing Responsive Support: Offer resources aligned with individual faculty needs and workflows in a way that saves time.
Encouraging Innovation: Create a culture where faculty feel supported and empowered to experiment with new teaching methods and technologies.

Download the Report

For more insights into the current state of faculty workload, faculty burnout, well-being, and technology use, and to explore ways to support faculty in higher education, download the full 2024 Faculty Survey Report.