The week of October 18-23, 2020 marks Fair Employment Week, hosted by the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT). In many countries, it also marks Integrity Week, built around the International Day of Action Against Contract Cheating. These weeks have coincided for the past several years. A few years ago, I began to study the intersection of contract academic work and contract cheating (e.g., essay mills, term paper mills, etc.)
This report offers a preliminary discussion of the intersection between precarious academic employment and the commercial contract cheating industry. I have written it with the Canadian context in mind, though it may be relevant in other jurisdiction as well. The entire report is available for free download here.
Abstract
Purpose: The goal of this report is to provide substance for an evidence-informed discussion about the intersection of precarious academic employment and the contract cheating industry.
Methods: This is a qualitative report informed by the extant literature. It synthesizes available source material relating to academic staff who also supply services (e.g., essay writing, assignment completion, etc.) to the commercial contract cheating industry.
Results: A summary and synthesis are provided of issues relating to precariously employed academic staff and the contract cheating industry. A key outcome of this work is to highlight how the commercial cheating industry preys on underemployed academic staff. Predatory practices of the contract cheating industry are highlighted including false promises of high pay and meaningful work. Consequences such as disciplinary action and dismissal of academic staff who moonlight as suppliers to the industry are discussed, along with possible counter-measures to raise awareness and protect academic staff.
Implications: This guide is intended to provide guidance on methods used by the commercial contract cheating industry to exploit contract academic staff. Recommendations are provided on how to build awareness about the issue and also consider protections for the precariously employed.
Additional materials: 1 table; 46 references
Document type: Report, 26 pages
Keywords: academic integrity, higher education, academic labour, contingent faculty, precarious employment, cheating economy, sessional, adjunct, faculty
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Sarah Elaine Eaton, PhD, is an Associate Professor the Werklund School of Education, and the Educational Leader in Residence, Academic Integrity, University of Calgary, Canada. Opinions are my own and do not represent those of the University of Calgary.
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D. 
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