Researcher Realities: Navigating the Arc of the Academic Research Career

De Togni, G. (Advisor)

Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course

Description

Invited panellists, together with Sady Hetherington and Gabi Hegerl, for the ‘Researcher Realities’ session ‘Navigating the Arc of the Academic Research Career’ organised by IAD at the University of Edinburgh. Aimed at promoting a positive research culture in HE.

Period	11 Mar 2025
Event type	Seminar
Location	Edinburgh, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	Local

Keywords

Academic life
Leadership
Career Development
Academia
Higher Education
Positive Research Cultures

Documents & Links

The academic research career can be described as an arc, starting with establishing independence, moving to an expansion phase, and finally changing the priorities or winding down in later career. This arc has been the norm for many academic research careers. However, the increasing pressures of research coupled with higher competition and changing expectations of the role has made navigating this arc increasingly difficult for many. Progressing through the arc is no longer clear cut, and researchers need to make many difficult strategic and personal choices along the way. This session aims to uncover the realities of navigating the arc of the academic research career, discussing the many challenges academics face when getting started and establishing themselves, when expanding their teams and widening their ambitions, and when changing priorities or winding down activities. A panel will be invited to uncover the realities of academic research careers sharing how they’ve navigated the arc, what choices they’ve made, and how they have progressed. Audience members will be encouraged to ask questions and to join in the discussion on navigating the arc of the academic research career.