The long-views of experienced academics from across Canada portray the lived experiences in higher education in Canada. At times raw, and other times suggestive of changes, the contributions illustrate sense-making at its various stages in academic careers in relation to teaching, research, and service.

Work-life balance realities and challenges arising from flexibility required by academic work are part of the journey for academics, and are seen in the chapter contributions. It also considers how academics respond to needs of academic institutions as various transformations occur to address societal needs. A final section “Academia as Crucible” brings academic views of sense making to years of academic experience.

While the book is stand-alone, it also book-ends the four-book series, which taken together, voice various experiences from being in the tenure-track, to around the time of tenure, and during sabbaticals. Together, the four books are the most comprehensive portrait of lived experiences in the modern academy.