Early career researchers' identity: A qualitative review

In recent decades, higher education has witnessed the development of a series policies aimed at improving its quality. To this end, accountability measures have been promoted, which are having major impact on academics. addition, precariousness work in professional sector is contributing to emphasise consequences. context, early career researchers become highly vulnerable group, as pretence wanting be part academic world becoming an increasingly challenging purpose. This systematic review literature aims collect and systematise most relevant contributions that situation identity young bibliographic search was carried out four different databases (Web Science, Scopus, Education Resources Information Center, Google Scholar), yielded total 24 articles published international journals. The results show how political-economic currently surround new neoliberal subject characterised by unconsciously subjected system's requirements. prioritisation research over teaching, unethical practices their health social family relations. Finally, need for more studies line with other approaches (longitudinal) general varied samples emphasised. En las últimas décadas, la enseñanza superior ha sido testigo del desarrollo de una serie políticas destinadas mejorar su calidad. Para ello, se han promovido medidas rendición cuentas, que están teniendo un gran impacto en los académicos. Además, precariedad laboral este profesional está contribuyendo acentuar sus consecuencias. contexto, investigadores noveles convertido grupo altamente vulnerable. Esta revisión sistemática literatura pretende recoger aportaciones más relevantes sobre el esta situación tiene identidad jóvenes Los resultados muestran cómo político-económicas rodean actualmente educación al nuevo sujeto académico caracterizado por sometida inconscientemente exigencias sistema. Junior academics, commonly referred (ECRs), figure who quite some time had face difficulties struggle achieve stable position (Castelló et al., 2015). problem exacerbated issues, well demands knowledge society (Cantwell, 2011). These updates led drastic changes identity, adjust such global mobility, contractual instability compatibility alternative jobs “survival” (Macoun & Miller, 2014). scenario therefore warns great vulnerability risk academics begin adventure academy (Webber, 1947). Against complex background, group experiencing adversities optimal performance (Fransman, fact, university communities project bleak expectations continually issue limitations progress towards coherent vision Scholarship (Boeren why field taking priority role educational agendas. However, study these political-educational spheres novice teachers not being sufficiently addressed (Lai Li, 2020). last two Higher growth economy through quality excellence (Bermúdez-Aponte Laspalas, 2017; Holmes Lindsay, 2018; Tomicic, 2019). policy underpinned principles: privatisation processes, acquisition private principles, labour market consumer orientation, competitiveness, individualisation, productivity, etc. (Brunner 2019; Harland, 2009; Luengo Saura, 2012). As result, objectives universities begun transform, especially affecting teaching staff (Harland, systems evaluation determine “their quality” quantification. Moreover, fact evaluations prioritise quantification activity based number indexed JCR or SJR (Herrán Villena, 2016), contributed generate significant ways working, health, relationships configuration (Harris McCune, Shams, If we focus indispensable accessing advancing (Ma Ladisch, San Fabián, It worth noting generates competitive individualised environment (Olssen Peters, 2005). On hand, promotion types precarious contracts together difficulty obtaining stability accentuate (Hemmings 2013; Kerfoot Knights, 1995; Lorenzetti MacDonald situation, particularly 2015; Macoun immersed often voiceless rarely considered (Callagher 2021). For reason, believe justified order highlight particularities challenges they world. Exploring concept it important social, continuous transitory construction (Ricoeur, 1996). At same time, constituted only valued oneself (identity attributed researcher himself), but also shaped others (how see/consider identity) (Dubar, 2002). Therefore, cannot consider static requires exploration trajectory experience (Giddens, 1995). Linking our purpose study, conceptualisation starts from considering holistically start academia community (Lave Wenger, 1991; Sweitzer, 2009). employed qualitative protocol (Gough 2012; Petticrew Roberts, 2006). methodology summarises areas intensive (Voorberg According Littell al. (2008), type stands high degree discipline, scientific rigour selection processes. used Prisma Statement (Moher present initiated aim identifying all characterises ECRs' identity. purpose, first all, three were selected reasons. one Web Science (WoS) Scopus both them scope. Educational Research Centre (ERIC) database value sector. Lastly, Scholar look possible grey research. Subsequently, keywords combined produce following equation: (“younger academic” OR “early researcher” “ERCs”) AND (“managerialism” “evaluation” “assessment” “job insecurity”). obtain manageable dataset size meet consistent standard, included inclusion exclusion criteria pragmatic principles (Booth Codina, 2018). terms thematic appropriateness, resulting pre-established equation excluded manuscripts did respond questions objectives. Furthermore, filtered set restricting format journal excluding mixed sources (Hallinger, 2013). covering decade (2010–2020) period. criterion looking topic study. Figure 1 shows entire process identification data collection along finally review. followed PRISMA statement, sets proposal publication reviews. should noted provide maximum rigour, consistency objectivity. then analysed extract information. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet created store extracted articles. author name(s), year, country region, main topic, method (i.e., qualitative, quantitative method), participants, findings and, finally, implications improvement practice. contained wealth information represent body address posed beginning manuscript. reading extraction conducted form peer (Sarthou, 2016). sought, map dominant characteristics respect particular literature, what Hallinger Bryant (2013) call topographical literature. Secondly, descriptively develop area (Gough, 2007). descriptive analysis first. (Braun Clarke, 2006) documents using software Nvivo 12. Grounded Theory (Glaser Strauss, 1967) identify emerging themes emerged studies. way, entered into critical analysis, key coded nodes provided programme. ensure coherence coding, categories shared agreed upon researchers. identified basis similarity organised hierarchically. due proximity establish connecting thread, decided organise around central theme. decisions made during may generated certain sense, filters selected, inclusion/exclusion defined non-consideration Among these, Spanish English bias process. future section begins summary Firstly, overview given evolution production contexts designs. second presents forms decade, found characteristic observe increase 2017 onwards. Likewise, years 2019 2020 stand incidence publications. Table temporal distribution decade. relation geographical analysed, UK highest 8 studies, represents 34% included. Australia 4 articles, i.e., 17% production. Switzerland 3 there less representation Spain, Canada, Malaysia, Finland Zambia. article whose context covers several countries (Australia, Sweden, USA UK). Overall, reveal correspond large extent Anglo-Saxon (Table 2). Focusing designs, 22 use approach. rest either (Hollywood 2019), do specify approach (Smith, 2017). widely instruments information, semi-structured interviews (9 studies) in-depth (5 frequently instruments. groups (Apreile 2020), collaborative autoethnography (Caretta 2018), survey 2019) (Ylijoki Henriksson, 2015) Although comprises locations, many authors agree job insecurity, pressure publish enormous bureaucratic burden (Acker Webber, Apreile 2020; González-Calvo Osbaldiston Mantai, Read Leathwood, 2018) exert transforming within system processes constructing developing today's influenced complexities (Chipindi Vavrus, Fatimawati Badiozaman, challenges, Acker Webber (2017) (2020) rigid assessment people remain academia. Ultimately, unstable identities trapped situations ambivalence (Angervall Gustafsson, 2014; tensions. indicated Bristow (2017), tensions lead coping strategies reconfigure “being strong mercantilist connotations (Mantai, involved, out. scenes loyal personal aspirations Silfver, Angervall describe movement between satisfying department/group goals and/or prioritising own concerns. Gustafsson (2014) point another ambivalent internal debate researcher's conscious desire (what he/she understands do) unconscious actually ends up doing). case, example, Caretta (2018) doctoral students focused (unconscious desire) than actual completion doctorate (conscious desire). result ambivalences, values insecurity uncertainty 2017) observed, contribute fragile dynamic capacity adapt regard, predominance oscillate compliance resistance (Courtois Kalfa described: critique, frontal struggle, pursuit options outside practiced strategy. Despite this, regardless resistance, complacency discomfort time. Chipindi Vavrus criticise defend adding necessary accountability. leads contradictory contain elements conformity (Bristow essential demonstrates voluntary subjects subordinate system, simply adapting survive. note criticisms decline age decreases, greater levels complicity among survival narratives collected across (Fatimawati ontology distort true essence aware can (Abrizah place productivity fundamental objective actions, although entails will decisive immoral dynamics publishing predatory journals, falsification, superfluous repetitive writing, low scientificity. Another observed publications include fundings collaborating director/supervisor, prestigious argues, developed occupying space action. link scholarship impacts universities. indicates impacting (time spent children, parenting decisions, etc.) emotions, things. short, wide variety (Enright Facer, 2016; Monereo Liesa, 2020) which, despite differences, coincide stress, anxiety Hollywood stage careers whether exist not, subordinates themselves system. aim, kinds “love” survive advance (ERCs) Education. (WoS, ERIC). After application criteria, twofold studied. described previous following, ideas highlighted discussed terms, influence transformation. institutions understood independent, free entities, service community, oriented creation subjects, competent professionals (Ortega y Gasset, 1930). neoliberalism: interests logic, performative demands, Brunner materialised soft governance (Brøgger, performativity (Ball, 2003) governmentality (Foucault, 1991). self-govern themselves, believing responsibility outcomes (Saura Bolívar, political control web self-discipline mutual surveillance (Kerfoot case effect achieved thanks measure quickly spread globe began define agendas Taylor Lahad, expansion multiple attempt capable rivalling any (Balaban Wright, Brøgger, investigations. aspect suggests almost planet, underlines world's concern surprising clear submission “somatization neoliberalism self” (p. 19) subordinated abandonment favour research, corrupt practices, fields, stress levels, reconciliation problems, (Beall, Cannizzo, Dashper Fletcher, Lankveld Leisyte, Noll, Overac, Saura Laiho Smith Cannizzo reasons lies: (1) output promoted academia; (2) normalization review, numerous youngest (Kalfa aggravated 1995), Bolívar (2019), feel increased competition security contributes even if implies relations Given continue allows us analyse understand depth, promote alleviating impact. prioritize reflective debates about since, ultimately, science hands. no action taken, loss bright could make contribution (Crew, consequence, direct An extensive list lines emerges level, aspects related demand depth learning. Thus, advocate cover multidisciplinary expand enrich Abrizah al.,; Courtois Djerasimovic Villani, emphasises counselling mentoring programmes mitigate Badiozaman propose longitudinal emphasis better understanding academics' identities. suggest dialectical delve junior faculty. And (2019) further analysing scholarly ordering change ECR behaviour whether, contrary, essentially unchanging feature life. declared conflicts interest article.