Researcher Identities in Transition: Signals to Identify and Manage Spheres of Activity in a Risk Career

Montserrat Castelló, Gina Wisker, Sofie Kobayashi, Jenna Vekkaila

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Abstract

Researchers are now embarked upon what we define as a ‘risk career’, rather than, as previously, a relatively more predictable academic career. In this changing context, traditional milestones that enabled early career researchers to build their identities are disappearing. Instead, what we define as other emergent ‘signals’, the latent or clear indications from institutions and academic communities regarding career directions and necessary professional skills and attitudes should be identified and interpreted for researchers to adequately develop their new identities.
The aim of this paper is twofold: a) to present a comprehensive framework of the notion of researcher identity by means of analysing those spheres of activity related to researcher and career development; and b) to relate researcher identities to the experiences of early career researchers with issues concerning signals, and strategies adopted to manage a risk career. Several case studies constructed from authors’ earlier work will be discussed in order to offer exemplar to identify issues and help manage the risk career, for researchers, supervisors and university managers.
Translated title of the contributionForskeridentiteter i overgange: Tegn til at identificere og håndtere aktivitetssfærer i en risiko-karriere
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2015
Number of pages2
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Event16th Biennial EARLI Conference: Towards a reflective Society - Limassol, Cyprus
Duration: 25 Aug 201529 Aug 2015
Conference number: 16

Conference

Conference16th Biennial EARLI Conference
Number16
Country/TerritoryCyprus
CityLimassol
Period25/08/201529/08/2015

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