Conditions, motivations, and research strategies in the work of SNI academics of the Autonomous University of Queretaro

Abstract

This article analyzes how, since the eighties of the 20th century, due to the implementation of the National System of Researchers, the conditions, motivations, and strategies for academic work in the public university began to transform in Mexico. Our research followed a qualitative methodological design. To carry it out were applied 22 in-depth interviews and 21 sociodemographic questionnaires to SNI professors-researchers from the Autonomous University of Querétaro. Among the most relevant findings are a) the seek for consolidation and job certainty, in addition to the economic stimulus as the most important motivations for joining the SNI, b) and the precarious contractual situations and the work overload, as daily working conditions for academics, and c) take work home and take home to work, coupled with academic collaboration as the most relevant socio-labor strategies implemented to deal with work overload.