Exploring the Dimensions of Informal Learning from Unpaid Work among Women in Academics in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Women academics perform extensive unpaid domestic and care work alongside their professional responsibilities, yet the informal learning embedded in these experiences remains largely overlooked in adult education research. This study examined the dimensions of informal learning derived from unpaid work among women academics at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. It explored the manifestations of unpaid work, the influence of cultural practices, the informal learning outcomes generated, and the adaptive strategies used to balance academic and domestic responsibilities. A qualitative case study design was adopted involving ten purposively selected female academics from different academic ranks and departments. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using interpretative thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) approach. The findings revealed that unpaid work extended beyond domestic chores to include caregiving, emotional labour, institutional responsibilities, and community service, all of which affected academic productivity and wellbeing. Cultural norms continued to position women as primary caregivers despite their professional roles. Unpaid work emerged as a significant site of informal learning, fostering organisational competence, time management, emotional intelligence, resilience, multitasking, problem-solving, and adaptive decision-making. Participants relied on time management, delegation, boundary setting, and support networks to manage competing responsibilities. However, the competencies developed through unpaid work remained largely invisible within institutional reward systems. The study concludes that unpaid domestic and care work constitutes an important but undervalued context for lifelong and informal learning among women academics. It recommends greater institutional recognition of informal learning, gender-equitable sharing of domestic responsibilities, and policies that better support women academics in balancing professional and family roles.

Informal learning; Unpaid work; Women academics; Gender norms; Work–life balance.

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