As I've sat with family this weekend...
I've received automated reminders from review systems.
My daughter has received reminders to fill out course evaluations.
And.
I just learned that automated messages were sent on my behalf.
When will we learn to automate systems to respect holidays? Do we really need to send reminders on public? and religious holidays?
We can build algorithms to predict performance, we can build algorithms to detect fraud, we can build location-aware algorithms, and we can't build algorithms to encourage work-life balance?
We can do better.
We can build systems with empower academics (and our students) to have healthier balanced lives.
Work-life balance begins with academic leadership.
Academic leaders must demand that system providers automate respect for holidays.
Journal editors should set systems to respect holidays.
Faculty should refrain from demanding work from students on holidays.
We just need to do it.
Yes, we can simply turn off email.
But, don't forget the power differentials in this business, it's very difficult for early career academics and students to simply "turn off."
We can build an academic life that lets us all flourish - and take a day off!
We can build a better academy.
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