A new article in the journal Educational Research synthesizes studies of emotional exhaustion among faculty members in higher education. “Burnout in University Teaching Staff: A Systematic Literature Review” finds that younger faculty and those with more exposure to trainees suffer greater rates of burnout.
The study does not explore ways to prevent stress from building up, but suggests that mentoring and stress relief activities might help. Allowing for sabbaticals is another possible solution. Taking time to explore a new area or rekindle an old passion will refresh a faculty member when he or she returns to teaching.