Gasson, Susan (2026) Early Career Researcher Pathways, Tensions and Stories. In: Proceedings of the Quality in Postgraduate Research Conference. p. 106. From: QPR 2026: Quality in Postgraduate Research Conference: Transforming Graduate Research for the Future, 15-17 April 2026, Adelaide, SA, Australia.

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Abstract

The challenges faced by Early Career Researchers are the topic of this presentation. Focusing on a series of tensions identified (Gasson, 2023), the session explores strategies for their navigation and management by the early career researchers, academic supervisors, institutions and policy makers. Building on book chapters co-authored by the presenter with researchers at varying stages of development along their career pathways globally, the session will examine how tensions emerged and how they may be navigated and managed. This discussion is based on a book (Gasson, 2025) published by Emerald. The work is informed by a narrative inquiry conducted as part of a doctoral study. The tensions discussed were found to align strongly with one of the commonplaces - time, place and society - that inform the analysis of early career researchers’ narratives captured as the data set for the research. Tensions were found to align more closely with one of the commonplaces, demonstrating the strength of the method and adding resonance to the exploration of the tension. The tension between the enduring and evolving doctorate resonated with notions of time. Discussion related to this tension revealed the challenges for the individual and the institution in determining if there are too many doctoral graduates or not enough suitably prepared doctoral graduates. This tension arose with the birth of doctoral studies and continues to feature in discussions of doctoral studies globally. Narratives analysed revealed current concerns about rankings, quality metrics, and graduate employability confirming the relevance of this tension to the current context. The choice of a career in academia or industry was strongly aligned with notions of place. It provided a perspective for exploring the development of graduates researchers and their positioning for employability into the future. Extending on this a closer focus on mid-career professionals engaging in doctoral studies revealed another tension most strongly informed by place. This informative discussion of a tension between the pracademic and prosearcher. A familiar term, the pracademic moves from the professions into the academy. The newly coined term prosearcher gives attention to graduates moving back into industry, government and the professions after graduation from doctoral studies. The tension between Open and Closed research cultures was explored through deeper consideration of society . Consideration of this tension leads to discussion of open access publishing, and on the differing values and beliefs that the researcher is exposed to and must comply with in occupying open and closed research environments. Analysis of the tension workload and well-being was informed by consideration of the use of time. Stories shared provided a window into differing pressures and tensions. Analysis of these examinations of strategies used to set priorities as a first step in achieving a better use of time to meet workload demands and maintain wellbeing. Strategies for responding to each tension will be revealed

Item ID:	93148
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Keywords:	Early Career Researcher; Graduate Researcher; Doctoral Education; Researcher Development; Graduate Employability;
Additional Information:	Book based on thesis published by QUTeprints https://eprints.qut.edu.au/239442/
Date Deposited:	13 Aug 2026 02:20
FoR Codes:	39 EDUCATION > 3999 Other Education > 399999 Other education not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes:	16 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 1699 Other education and training > 169999 Other education and training not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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