A framework for supporting early career researcher/academic’s in business

Abstract

For decades, academics and academia split public opinions, especially across social media platforms and discussion groups. Academia has been a flexible and supportive career platform where thought leaders can work to strive to make changes in their disciplines. For some academics, academia has left them feeling overworked, undervalued, and lacking in support, whilst others perceived academia as a mix of both, which fluctuates across the academic year. Reflecting on our experience, from being a doctoral candidate to being a full-time academic, we understand the need to support the thought leaders of tomorrow throughout this process. We argue that ECR/Ss, including doctoral students, must be subject to the same progression and retention ethos that Universities afford their students.

This paper aims to present our preliminary findings and ongoing research, which seeks to understand the experiences of Early Career Researchers and Academics [ECR/A] in the contemporary context of academia. The findings of this study will provide insight into the ecosystem surrounding ECR/As and inform a framework to aid institutions and conference organisations in facilitating effective support to early career business academics globally to best support research leaders of tomorrow.