What’s Next for the ‘Uberfication’ of Higher Education?

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About the Episode:

The shifting labor dynamics in higher education represent one of the most profound transformations in academia's history, with contingent faculty now making up a whopping 68% of the academic workforce. In a provocative recent article for The Evolllution, Bob Ubell, Vice Dean Emeritus at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, explores what he calls the 'Uberfication' of higher education and its implications for the future of teaching and learning. He joins Ray to discuss his unique perspective on these systemic changes that have turned traditional faculty employment models upside down.

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Key Takeaways

• Contingent faculty now make up 68% of the academic workforce, largely due to financial constraints and shifting institutional priorities.
• The gig economy model has infiltrated academia, with adjunct instructors lacking job security, benefits, and often last-minute course assignments.
• Online learning is both an opportunity and a challenge, offering flexibility to students while further accelerating the use of contingent faculty.
• Universities prioritize research and rankings over teaching, often sidelining student experience in favor of financial sustainability.
• Labor unions are stepping in to support adjunct faculty, but systemic change remains uncertain, especially given political and economic pressures.
• The future of faculty employment in higher education is unlikely to shift away from contingent labor, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of this model.

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How Higher Ed Became a Gig Economy

The Financial Pressures Driving the Shift

‍According to Robert Ubell, the transition to a primarily adjunct faculty model is largely driven by money. Over the past 70 years, state funding for public universities has steadily declined, forcing institutions to find alternative ways to cut costs. One of the most significant cost-saving measures has been reducing full-time faculty positions in favor of adjuncts, who receive lower pay and little to no benefits.At the same time, universities have prioritized research over teaching. Faculty positions at many institutions, especially elite universities, are designed to attract top researchers rather than dedicated educators. This means teaching quality often takes a backseat to securing grants and maintaining high rankings—an issue that is exacerbated by the use of contingent faculty.

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‍The Rise of Adjunct Labor in Online Learning

‍Online education has further accelerated this shift. Institutions that rely heavily on digital learning—especially mega-universities with large online enrollments—often employ adjunct faculty almost exclusively. Online courses are seen as scalable, allowing universities to reach more students without significantly increasing costs. However, this model has also contributed to the devaluation of faculty labor, as instructors are often hired at the last minute, paid per course, and provided with minimal institutional support.Ubell notes that as online learning continues to expand, the percentage of contingent faculty is likely to increase. Some institutions may even move toward fully adjunct-based teaching models, reducing the number of traditional, tenure-track positions even further.

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‍The Impact of Contingent Faculty on Higher Ed

The Challenges for Adjunct Instructors

‍While the adjunct model benefits universities financially, it comes with major drawbacks—especially for the instructors themselves. Many adjuncts are assigned courses just weeks (or even days) before the semester begins, leaving little time for curriculum development. This is particularly problematic in online learning, where faculty need time to familiarize themselves with digital platforms and best practices for remote teaching.Additionally, adjuncts typically do not receive health benefits, professional development opportunities, or job security. Many must piece together multiple teaching positions across different institutions just to make ends meet—a reality that mirrors the gig economy structure seen in companies like Uber and Lyft.

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‍How the Adjunct Model Affects Students

‍The growing reliance on contingent faculty also raises concerns about student experience. While many adjuncts are highly skilled educators, they often lack access to institutional resources that could enhance their teaching. Limited office hours, lack of engagement in curriculum development, and the inability to participate in university governance all contribute to a disconnect between adjunct instructors and the institutions they serve.For students, this means they may be learning from faculty who are overworked, underpaid, and unable to fully invest in their success. Research has shown that faculty engagement is a key factor in student retention and success—something that becomes harder to achieve in a system where instructors are constantly moving from one temporary contract to another.

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‍The Future of Faculty Employment in Higher Ed

Will the Trend Toward Contingent Labor Continue?

‍Ubell is not optimistic about a shift away from the adjunct model. With financial pressures mounting and online education expanding, institutions are unlikely to reinvest in full-time faculty at pre-existing levels. The corporatization of higher education—where universities operate more like businesses than educational institutions—means that cost-saving measures will likely continue to shape faculty hiring practices.

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‍Are Labor Unions the Answer?

‍In response to these challenges, faculty unions have begun organizing to improve working conditions for adjuncts. Institutions like NYU, Columbia, and the University of California system have seen adjunct faculty join unions to fight for better pay, job security, and benefits. While these efforts have led to some improvements, systemic change remains difficult. Many institutions resist unionization, and political and economic factors continue to limit funding for higher education.

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‍Can Online Learning Be a Solution Rather Than a Problem?

‍Despite its role in expanding contingent faculty employment, Ubell argues that online learning itself is not the problem. In fact, digital education has been a game-changer for many students, particularly working professionals and those with family responsibilities. The issue lies in how institutions implement online programs—whether they use them as a tool for accessibility or merely as a way to cut costs.For online learning to be truly effective, universities need to invest in faculty development, provide adequate resources for instructors, and ensure that online courses are designed with student engagement in mind. If done right, online education can be a force for equity and opportunity rather than just another cost-cutting measure.

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‍Conclusion: What’s Next for Higher Ed?

‍Higher education is at a crossroads. The increasing reliance on contingent faculty has raised critical questions about the sustainability of the current employment model, the quality of student learning, and the long-term priorities of academic institutions. While financial pressures make it unlikely that universities will move away from adjunct-heavy staffing models, faculty unions, student advocacy, and strategic investments in online education could help mitigate some of the negative effects.For now, the “uberfication” of higher ed seems poised to continue—but as institutions, educators, and students navigate these changes, the fight for a more equitable and sustainable academic labor market remains ongoing.

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Connect With Our Host:

Dr. Ray Lutzky

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