This review examines how academic work affects the boundaries between professional and personal life. Although there is extensive research on work-life balance and work-nonwork conflict, much of it does not address the work-nonwork boundary nuances and the specific challenges that academics face, such as long, irregular hours, high levels of independence, and increasing demands in teaching, research, and service. These factors often blur the lines between work and personal time.

The review analyzes 41 studies and highlights several key issues. For instance, academic work frequently spills into personal time due to constant connectivity and pressure to always be available. Additionally, pressures related to career advancement and institutional demands make it even more challenging for academics to maintain clear boundaries. As a result, many experience stress, mental health issues, and decreased satisfaction in both work and personal life.

The review emphasizes the need for a more nuanced understanding of work-life boundaries in academia. It critiques traditional views that see boundary negotiation simply as a problem to be solved. Instead, it advocates for recognizing the fluid and complex nature of these boundaries, shaped by factors like gender roles, neoliberal pressures, and the demands of modern academic work. By addressing these unique challenges, the review calls for healthier, more sustainable work-life boundaries and increased support from academic institutions to better support academics in navigating their professional and personal lives.