Author Identifier

John A. O’Rourke: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3074-9154

Christina Gray: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8464-1961

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Educational Gerontology

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

School

School of Education

RAS ID

81907

Comments

O’Rourke, J. A., & Gray, C. (2025). Where’s my tweed jacket with leather elbow patches? The challenges of aging gracefully in higher education. Educational Gerontology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2025.2490781

Abstract

This paper presents an examination of one veteran academics’ experience in higher education. Via an autoethnographic reflection of a two-decade career, the work-related situations that impact on job enjoyment and challenge motivation to bring enthusiasm year-after-year are discussed. Veteran academics have seen higher education transform dramatically during their tenure and the pressure points that impact on wellbeing are discussed and aligned to contemporary research. In response to the challenges associated with aging in higher education, this paper examines how veteran academics need to prioritize self-care and explores ways that universities can maximize the accumulated knowledge and pedagogical skillset of these individuals toward the end of their careers.

DOI

10.1080/03601277.2025.2490781

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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