Addressing Burnout in Higher Education: A Framework for Professor Well-Being

Authors

  • Juljana Laze Department of Sociology, Faculty of Education, Aleksandër Moisiu University, Lagja 1, Rruga e Currilave Durrës, 2001, Durrës, Albania
  • Azeta Tartaraj Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business, Aleksandër Moisiu University, Lagja 1, Rruga e Currilave Durrës, 2001, Durrës, Albania
  • Assoc. Prof. PhDr.Martina Pavlíková Department of Journalism, Faculty of Arts, Constantine the Philosopher University, B. Slančíkovej 1, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia
  • Juraj Spuchľák Faculty of Theology, Catholic University in Ružomberok, Spišská Kapitula 12, 053 04 Spišské Podhradie, Slovakia
  • Mária Gažiová Faculty of Theology, Theological Institute, Catholic University in Ružomberok, Spišská Kapitula 12, Spišské Podhradie 053 04, Slovakia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2026.1.681.693

Keywords:

academic burnout, social well-being, organisational support, sustainable work environment, higher education, intervention strategies

Abstract

Aim. The study aims to examine how higher education professionals experience burnout and its impact on social well-being, with the outlier being taken at the Aleksander Moisiu University in Albania. The study aims to identify the predominant causes of burnout and their relationship to both staff and students.

Methods. It methodologically combines both primary and secondary data. Primary data was obtained from interviews with 30 academic staff, 30 administrative staff and 100 students. This approach regarding burnout in higher education enables a thorough understanding of experiences, challenges, and perceptions. The secondary data contextualised the findings with previous literature on academic stress, well-being, and organisational support.

Results. The study suggests that healthier and more sustainable work environments, which guarantee the well-being and success of both staff and students, should be developed to avert burnout and provide better support.

Conclusions. The analysis highlights the absence of protocols and targeted individual programmes for addressing burnout among academic, administrative, and student staff. It underscores the need for healthier, more sustainable work environments and calls for further research to strengthen institutional prevention of burnout and provision of support mechanisms.

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Author Biographies

  • Juljana Laze, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Education, Aleksandër Moisiu University, Lagja 1, Rruga e Currilave Durrës, 2001, Durrës, Albania

    Prof. As. Dr Juljana Laze is an accomplished academic with a diverse background in sociology, education, and law. Her doctoral dissertation, completed at the same institution, delved into the complexities of 
    Albania's higher education system aligns with European standards.  She holds a post-doctorate degree from the University of Tirana. With over a decade of experience as a full-time lecturer at the University "Aleksandër Moisiu" in Durrës, Albania, she has actively shaped the academic landscape.  Additionally, she has served as a part-time lecturer at the University of Tirana and the University of Marin Barleti. Her commitment to professional development is evident in her numerous qualifications, including certifications in interview techniques, project management, leadership, and public speaking. 
    Her research contributions are substantial, with a focus on higher education policies, social 
    institutions, gender issues, sustainable development, ethics and communication. Prof. Laze has 
    presented papers at various international conferences and published extensively in journals such as 
    as the European Scientific Journal, Mediterranean Journal of Social Science, and more. 
    In addition to her academic achievements, Prof. Laze is actively engaged in various professional 
    associations, including membership in the Albanian Institute of Sociology and the International 
    Sociological Association. Her dedication to academia is reflected in her involvement in accreditation boards, scientific conference organisation, and administrative roles at both faculty and department levels. 
    Prof. As. Dr Juljana Laze is a multilingual scholar, proficient in Albanian, English, French, and 
    Italian. Her commitment to fostering academic excellence, coupled with her extensive research 
    and teaching experience, positions her as a prominent figure in the field of sociology and higher education in Albania.

  • Azeta Tartaraj, Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business, Aleksandër Moisiu University, Lagja 1, Rruga e Currilave Durrës, 2001, Durrës, Albania

    Azeta Tartaraj is a Professor of Marketing and currently serves as Vice Rector for Scientific Research at the University “Aleksandër Moisiu”, Durrës, Albania. With over two decades of academic and professional experience, she has held various leadership roles including Dean of the Faculty of Business and Head of the Marketing Department. Her work spans the fields of marketing, territorial development, innovation ecosystems and digital transformation.
    Prof. Tartaraj is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar and project coordinator, actively involved in major EU-funded research and innovation projects such as Interreg MED, Interreg IPA, and COST Actions. She is also a certified mediator and evaluator of fixed assets, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective to research and education.
    Her scientific output includes numerous peer-reviewed articles, books and conference papers focused on marketing management, consumer behavior, regional development and sustainable tourism. She has collaborated with renowned academics and institutions across Europe, contributing to policy-relevant research and applied innovation.
    Prof. Tartaraj is an advocate for academic excellence, internationalization and applied research and she plays a key role in fostering research culture and capacity-building at her university.

  • Assoc. Prof. PhDr.Martina Pavlíková, Department of Journalism, Faculty of Arts, Constantine the Philosopher University, B. Slančíkovej 1, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia

    University professor and senior lecturer at the Department of Journalism, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia; graduated in English Language and Literature from the Faculty of Education, Comenius University in Bratislava; completed her doctoral studies in the field of Cultural Studies at Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra. She has also given several lectures and completed research stays at foreign universities. Her research focuses on the literature of English-speaking countries, ethical behaviour in the mass media, and contemporary trends in the visual arts.

  • Juraj Spuchľák, Faculty of Theology, Catholic University in Ružomberok, Spišská Kapitula 12, 053 04 Spišské Podhradie, Slovakia

    Associate professor at the Faculty of Social Studies at Vysoká škola Danubius. He specialises in social work and theology, contributing to teaching, research, and academic leadership. His work focuses on social issues, ethical perspectives, and applied research in social services. He is also actively involved in academic governance, serving as a member of the Scientific Council and chairman of the Academic Senate.

  • Mária Gažiová, Faculty of Theology, Theological Institute, Catholic University in Ružomberok, Spišská Kapitula 12, Spišské Podhradie 053 04, Slovakia

    Associate Professor at the Faculty of Theology, Catholic University in Ružomberok. She is a clinical psychologist specialising in clinical psychology, social work, and pastoral care. Her teaching and research integrate psychological and ethical perspectives, with a focus on mental health, burnout, and quality of life in helping professions. She has contributed to academic publications, books, and international projects, while also engaging in applied clinical practice and psychological support services.

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Published

2026-06-27

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Education Culture and Society

Section

DYNAMICS

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Copyright (c) 2026 Juljana Laze, Azeta Tartaraj, Assoc. Prof. PhDr.Martina Pavlíková, Juraj Spuchľák, Mária Gažiová

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How to Cite

Laze, J., Tartaraj, A. ., Pavlíková, M. ., Spuchľák, . J., & Gažiová, M. . (2026). Addressing Burnout in Higher Education: A Framework for Professor Well-Being. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 17(1), 681-693. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2026.1.681.693