Conference Program

In the contemporary neoliberal university, "academic excellence" is closely linked to the figure of the “Ideal Academic”: an individual expected to have total temporal availability, constant international mobility, and an uninterrupted record of high productivity. This model, however, relies on the myth of the "care-free" researcher—someone free from domestic responsibilities and personal dependencies. This figure is constructed as a "bodyless" subject, entirely detached from the physical and emotional demands of daily life. By rewarding only those who can sacrifice their personal time, the institution treats the researcher’s life as a linear resource rather than a complex human experience. This means that fundamental life realities—such as pregnancy, the management of a disability, the daily commitment of caring for an elderly parent, or the need for geographic stability in a system that often forces academic nomadism—are frequently viewed as 'interruptions' or failures, rather than natural parts of a professional career. This paper investigates the "care-blindness" within Italian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), exploring how institutional rules and discourses marginalize those who perform care work. Based on Marie-Pierre Moreau’s theoretical framework, this research examines how the Italian academic system treats care not as a universal human condition, but as a private obstacle to professional merit. This invisibility creates a deep tension between the daily lives of researchers and the rigid expectations of the institution. This gap disproportionately affects women and the "sandwich generation"—those simultaneously caring for children and elderly relatives. The study uses a comparative qualitative methodology to analyze three major Italian universities: the University of Padua, the University of Bologna, and the University of Trento. By reviewing Gender Equality Plans (GEPs), Positive Action Plans, and administrative regulations, the research maps different institutional responses to the "care crisis." While Padua and Bologna (as "mega-universities") show the friction between inclusive rhetoric and administrative rigidity, Trento stands out as a benchmark. It has formally established a "Student-Caregiver Status" and obtained "Family Audit" certification, showing a deeper integration of care into its institutional identity. The analysis reveals a significant "decoupling" between political intent and actual practice. While official documents celebrate diversity and work-life balance, career evaluation criteria (such as VQR and ASN standards) continue to penalize "non-linear" career paths. This failure reinforces gender inequality and professional insecurity. In conclusion, this work argues for a paradigm shift: moving beyond the basic rhetoric of "work-life balance" toward a Caring University model. The study proposes a standardized "Caregiver Status" to mitigate inequality, rebalance power dynamics, and finally recognize care as a core part of academic life rather than a hidden liability.