Golden Ticket or Great Trade-Off? Exploring Career Experiences of International Postdocs in Chinese Universities

• In Event: Transforming Postdoctoral and Early Career Pathways

Abstract

While extensive literature examines international postdocs in established academic centers, the experiences of their counterparts in emerging hubs like China remain understudied. This study addresses this gap by exploring how international postdocs navigate their career trajectories in Chinese universities. Drawing on Bourdieu's theory of capital and in-depth interviews with 28 international postdocs, this study finds their careers are navigated through a dynamic process of capital transformation. This involves the revaluation of cultural and social capital, the reconfiguration of capital portfolios, and the strategic conversion of economic capital. These findings enrich the global narrative on academic mobility by nuancing the career experiences of international postdocs within an emerging academic hub.

Authors

• Jiawen Xu, East China Normal University

• Junwen Zhu, East China Normal University