Postdoctoral Scholars’ Emancipatory Strategies to Socialization Through Agency

• In Event: Navigating Resistance, Fostering Survival, ad Cultivating Belonging: Exploring Strategies for Thriving in Challenging Environments

Abstract

Given prior research has illuminated a lack of belonging experienced by postdoctoral scholars (postdocs) (Gibb, 2022; Moors et al., 2014; Skakni et al., 2017; Yadav et al., 2020), we interviewed postdocs to understand what might increase their sense of belonging. Through interviews with 30 postdocs employed full-time in the U.S. (including 18 non-U.S. citizens), thematic analysis illustrated postdocs’ demonstration of self-advocacy as an asset they bring to the challenges faced within their employment. We connect prior theory applied to doctoral students and early career academics, identity self-trajectory (McAlpine, 2012; McAlpine at al., 2013) and emancipatory strategies in early career socialization (Phelps-Ward, 2020), to the consideration of postdocs. Our findings emphasize the importance of recognizing postdocs’ self-advocacy as power.

Authors

• Elizabeth Jach, State University of New York, System Administration

• Chelsea O'Brien, University at Albany - SUNY