Too late yet still quite early? Investigating the experiences of 鈥渙lder鈥� early career academics in South African higher education (funded by the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences Catalytic Grant - Grant number CPR22/1105)
Is it possible to be an early career academic while you are relatively 鈥渙lder鈥� and in your 40s or possibly 50s? If yes, what does this look and feel like? In this project, I explore and theorise the often forgotten and overlooked experiences of 鈥渙lder鈥� early career academics in South African higher education. Higher education in South Africa, like its counterparts in the global South (and North), continues to experience massification and ever-increasing participation rates. This has meant that the national department 鈮� have socially constructed various programmes and interventions targeted at 1) transforming the staff composition, and 2) essentially 鈥済rowing your own timber鈥� in developing the next generation of academics who will provide leadership in research, teaching and learning and community engagement. 鈥淥lder鈥� early career academics, often in their late 30s/early 40s (some even 50s), who have left their previous jobs to come to academia, are largely overlooked, silent and not accounted for in such national and institutional interventions. In this project, I shine a spotlight on the rich and complex narratives/voices/experiences of 鈥渙lder鈥� earlier career academics, and the various ways in which they negotiate their being, belonging and becoming in the South African higher education system.
Envisioned outputs
Various research outputs will result from this national project. The following will constitute the key research outputs:
- Peer reviewed research articles/book chapters X 4 per year
- International/national conference presentations X 3 per year
- A possible book manuscript
- A possible journal special issue
- A master鈥檚 student under the project
- A doctoral candidate under the project
Possible outcomes/impact of the project:
This project will offer important interventions in the South African higher education sector. The project will be important for the following actors/sectors:
- The national Department of Higher Education and Training as they continue to think of better/productive ways of supporting 鈥渙lder鈥� ECAs in South Africa.
- New Generation of Academics programme (nGAP) coordinators and programme leaders to assist them reviewing programme effectiveness
- 鈥淥lder鈥� ECAs as they plan their career development pathways
- Deans/directors of research in the different institutions
- Deans/directors of teaching and learning in the different institutions
- Researchers in the field
- Working professionals looking at transitioning to higher education