Academia’s gig economy: visiting professors

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the growing trend of Visiting professorships in higher education, drawing parallels with the gig economy and exploring its implications for academia. Design/methodology/approach – This perspective paper combines personal experience, literature review and analysis of current trends in higher education employment practices. Findings – The increasing use of Visiting professors in academia mirrors the broader gig economy trends but poses unique challenges in the higher education context. These challenges include potential negative impacts on organizational culture, faculty motivation and long-term institutional goals. Practical implications – This paper highlights the need for higher education administrators to reconsider the use of Visiting professorships and their potential long-term consequences on faculty development, institutional culture and educational quality. Social implications – The trend toward more temporary faculty positions may have broader implications for the future of tenure, academic freedom and the overall structure of higher education institutions. Originality/value – This paper provides a unique perspective on the intersection of the gig economy and academia, offering insights into the experiences of Visiting professors and the potential consequences of this employment trend for higher education institutions.