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Striving Transition for University Academics: The Academic Role Identity of Young Postdocs at Universities in China

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  • Jia Song
  • Zunwei Yang

Abstract

Since implementing the postdoctoral system in China, the number and quality of postdocs have improved greatly. Under the policy of creating world-class universities, most universities have focused unprecedentedly on recruiting postdoctoral fellows, and the management regulations for postdocs have become increasingly diverse. Through in-depth interviews with postdoctoral fellows at three universities in a metropolitan city, we found that postdoctoral roles have been multidimensional and sometimes conflicting, including the quasi-role of university teacher, the rigid role of independent researcher, the inertial role of student and the unofficial role of associate supervisor. Sociocultural norms, institutional contexts, and professional community shape these role identities.

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  • Jia Song & Zunwei Yang, 2023. "Striving Transition for University Academics: The Academic Role Identity of Young Postdocs at Universities in China," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:13:y:2023:i:1:p:21582440231153054
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440231153054
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    Cited by:

    1. Songyue Lin & Kaixuan Zhang & Jin Liu & Wenjing Lyu, 2024. "Credential inflation and employment of university faculty in China," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.

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