Passion and Paranoia

Analysing emotions and emotion-management in the academic organization, Passion and Paranoia shows how focusing on emotions in organizations can offer insights into important aspects and the dynamics of organizational processes. Drawing on rich interview material, this book demonstrates the often-overlooked importance of emotions in academic life, to reveal the manner in which emotion contributes to social bonds, power-relationships and hierarchies, micro-politics and processes of inclusion and exclusion from an academic career. A significant contribution to the study of emotion and the academy, Passion and Paranoia will appeal to sociologists and anthropologists researching work and organizations, emotion, academic culture and social relationships.
Review
’Through a judicious application of original data and deft argument Charlotte Bloch reveals the centrality of emotions in a range of core academic practices, where their absence or insignificance has long been assumed. This book will overthrow old conventions and establish new ones; it will startle and delight its readers, of which it deserves many.’ Jack Barbalet, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong ’A delicious look at the inside of universities: interviews with professors and teachers show that they are human like everybody else, perhaps more so. The thrills and chills of higher education are pictured in fine detail: not just how to get ahead, but also how to get in trouble, and the slow process of getting out of trouble. Highly recommended, especially for those interested in organizations.’ Thomas Scheff, Professor Emeritus University of California Santa Barbara, USA ’Minimalistic in design and rich in citations, this book takes you up the career ladder and across typical academic situations to reveal the emotional innards of science. It reveals why Ph.D. candidates silence their emotions, women become barred from the community of humour and men turn aggressive and angry. If you are thinking of embarking on an academic path, read this extraordinary book to find out why passion for scholarship exacts such an extraordinary emotional toll.’ Helena Flam, University of Leipzig, Germany 'In Passion and Paranoia, Charlotte Bloch sets out to explore the socio-emotional world of the university, primarily through interviews with Danish academics at various stages of their careers. Academia is rarely viewed through the prism of emotion and this book offers insights into facets of the everyday lives of scholars that, although familiar, are seldom openly discussed.' Times Higher Education '... the book's analysis is very rich... Analyses as in this book are crucial for Academia's understanding of itself: the academic's dilemma of being passionate about re