Ecological Intersections: Identity Construction of Early Career Academics in the Dynamic Systems of Chinese Higher Education

• In Event: Research In Progress Roundtables Session 4
  In Invited Roundtable: Student and Educator Identity Development: Ecological Systems, Self-Efficacy, and Community Counterspaces (Table 9)

Abstract

This study explores the identity construction of Early Career Academics (ECAs) in Chinese higher education, focusing on how institutional policies, academic networks, and familial expectations intersect to shape their professional identities. Using Bronfenbrenner’s Human Ecology Theory and Agency-Structure Theory, the research examines how ECAs navigate the pressures of research excellence, institutional rankings, and the teaching-research nexus within the dynamic systems of Chinese universities. The study highlights how these ecological systems interact, influencing ECAs’ career trajectories and personal sense of self. Preliminary findings suggest that institutional pressures, mentorship within academic networks (Shimen), and family expectations significantly impact identity formation. The research contributes to understanding ECAs’ challenges and offers insights for policy recommendations that balance academic demands with personal and professional development.

Author

• Jiajie Liu, University College London - IOE