Early Career Stages Research Articles

Comeback or dropout: study of discontinued researchers at early career stage

Comeback or dropout: study of discontinued researchers at early career stage

Leave or stay? A narrative inquiry of tensions in novice English teachers’ professional identity construction at China’s private universities

Novice English teachers at China’s private universities are easily confronted with tensions when they constructed the professional identity in the early career stage. Drawing on a theoretical framework of social identity theory, self-discrepancy theory and situated learning theory, this narrative inquiry study explored the causes, manifestations, and solutions to teachers’ professional identity tensions through in-depth interviews. Data were interpreted through metaphorical biographies and thematic analysis. Results show that tensions were caused by discrepancies among three self-concepts and conflicts between the English teacher identity and the private university teacher identity. In tensions, many aspects of participants’ professional identities were impaired and they unfulfilled the organizational identification. Participants reconciled three selves and adopted two approaches (assimilation and dissimilation) to navigate PI tensions. Policy makers are suggested to offer a well-established identity policy and sufficient research funding to facilitate the academic development of both private universities and teachers there. Private universities are suggested to provide diverse supports to teachers for their career development. Novice teachers could take the initiative of adapting to the culture and regulations of private universities and combine their research interest with the working context.

Determination of Oscillation Periods of Biological Clocks

Periodic motion is of paramount importance in science and engineering. The subject is usually covered in courses related to “waves and vibrations”, and Fourier series are frequently used as a tool of analysis of diverse phenomena. In addition, the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is a means of signal processing in many fields. In this contribution, the periodic patterns of three different biological oscillators are examined using numerical tools suitable for students in the early stages of chemistry, physics, and engineering-oriented careers. The DFT is used to reveal oscillation periods related to the circadian and the menstrual cycles. The time evolution of the segmentation clock, a molecular oscillator operating at the genetic level in the early stages of embryonic growth of vertebrates, is also analyzed. Aimed at both students and instructors, brief descriptions of the methodologies involved are provided and a critical assessment of the results obtained with either of these techniques is carried out.

The gender pay gap at the early stages of academic careers

Abstract The number of countries that have devoted time and attention to establishing gender equality regulations in academia is increasing. However, various studies indicate that women remain underrepresented among tenured faculty and in senior positions, and that female academic staff earn less than male ones. The reasons for these gaps, in particular those specific to academia, remain unclear. This article analyzes Polish female and male PhD graduates to measure the pay gap between them and its progression over time. The article studies the sources of the pay gap, with a special focus on parenthood. It draws on a dataset that covers the entire population of PhD holders who were awarded their degrees and were hired at any Polish university between 2014 and 2018. The study’s results reveal that despite equal pay regulations, a relatively narrow (3–5%) but stable adjusted gender pay gap already exists among early-career academics who do not have children, and that the gap widens considerably when income from outside academia (6–11%) is considered. Basic incomes of mothers in academia are 18–20% lower than those of nonmothers. A substantial fatherhood wage premium (33–37%) arises when all sources of income are considered. Academia is not necessarily an equal workplace.

An early-career lecturer and mentor walk into a lecture theatre . . . repeatedly: Developmental benefits of collaborative lecturing in political science

This article considers the benefits and pitfalls of an innovative approach to collaborative teaching designed to develop lecturing skills in early-career political science instructors. Using reflective interviews, we consider how collaborative lecturing guided the early – and continued – development of the lecturers who undertook the same novel exercise over several years. Lecturers require skills in the application of active learning, to encourage deep-learning, but are rarely trained on how to apply this in large scale lecturing. We observe the lasting impact collaboration had on developing lecture method practice and encouraging continuous reflection on instruction. We argue collaborative lecturing can help those who are unfamiliar with the application of active learning in lecture settings – lacking experience due to being at an early-career stage or having previously studied/taught in different educational systems – to acclimatise to systems where active learning is a fundamental expectation for teaching politics.

‘How do I get hired?’ Early career individuals’ employment strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the employment and career expectations of millions of Americans, including individuals in their early career stage. Instead of the robust labour market that was projected prior to the pandemic, this population faced layoffs, job offers rescinded, unemployment, and underemployment in 2020. Their job hunt strategies amidst the pandemic are an important topic of research inquiry. This qualitative study investigates respondents’ perspectives of online employment sites, social capital, and personal branding via social media as methods to obtain employment information and to get hired. The authors provide practical suggestions to enhance job seekers’ employment searches.

Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery: Analysis of Outcomes Among Graduates of Different Fellowship Pathways.

To characterize the association between type of fellowship training and patient outcomes following hepatopancreatic (HP) surgery across different surgeon career stages using a national representative cohort of Medicare beneficiaries. The current state of training in HPB surgery in North America is defined through three main pathways: the Complex General Surgical Oncology (CGSO), the Americas HPB Association fellowship, and the American Society of Transplant surgeons fellowship. Each pathway offers a unique perspective on HPB surgery with different number of training years, yet outcomes of graduates performing HP surgery relative to type of fellowship training have not been defined. Medicare claims were used to identify patients who underwent HP surgery for cancer between 2016-2021. The association of textbook outcomes (TO), defined as no postoperative complications, no prolonged LOS, no 90-day mortality and no 90-day readmission, relative to different fellowship pathways was examined. Overall, 15,411 cancer operations (pancreatectomy: 11,003, 71.4%; hepatectomy: 4,408, 28.6%) were performed by 1,030 HPB surgeons. A total of 9,390 patients (60.9%) were operated on by a CGSO/SONC graduate, 2,315 patients (15.0%) by an HPB fellowship graduate and 3,706 (24.1%) by a transplant fellowship graduate. Patients who were operated on by an HPB fellowship graduate more frequently had a higher Charlson score (>5: 44.8% vs. 38.1%) and more frequently were operated on an urgent basis (7.7% vs. 6.1%) compared with individuals treated by CGSO/SONC graduates. After adjusting for patient, procedural, hospital, and surgeon related factors, the likelihood of TO following an HP operation by an HPB fellowship graduate was 47.7% versus 45.2% among CGSO (% difference 2.7%) and 42.8% among transplant fellowship graduates (% difference 4.9%, P=0.01). While the probability of TO was higher among surgeons having completed a dedicated HPB fellowship during early (1-7th year of independent practice, P=0.032) and middle (8-14th year, P<0.001) career stages, the probability of TO did not differ based on fellowship type among late career surgeons (>15th year, P=0.257). Achievement of TO following an HP procedure was higher among surgeons who had completed a dedicated HPB fellowship, especially during early and middle career stages. Further efforts should be made to enhance HP surgery exposure and training for CGSO fellows interested in a career in HPB surgery.

Janina Korolewicz-Waydowa, debut and first stage experiences

This article is dedicated to the debut and early stage career of Janina Korolewicz-Wayda. The artist made her debut at the Lviv Opera as Hanna in Moniuszko’s “The Haunted Manor” (1894), and she first appeared on the stage of the Warsaw Grand Theatre as Amina in Bellini’s “La sonnambula” (1897). During the opening of the Lviv Grand Theatre, she performed the role of Bronka in Żeleński’s “Jontek” (1900), and it was also on this stage that she first sang the role of Halka in Moniuszko’s opera, a role she cherished throughout her life. Initially, she sang coloratura parts, then lyrical and dramatic ones. The initial reviews of her performances were varied, but with each season, critics increasingly appreciated her vocal and acting talent, and in later years, they only wrote about Janina Korolewicz-Wayda’s great artistry

Navigating Queer Narratives: Student Teachers’ Perspectives on LGBT+ Picture Books

ABSTRACT This study employs a queer theoretical framework to explore three student teachers’ interpretations and perceptions of two LGBT+ picture books, including their considerations on integrating these texts into classroom pedagogy. The participants are nearing completion of their initial teacher training at a university in the northern part of England. The picture books that are the focus of the study were purposefully selected owing to their exploration of varied queer themes. Discussion is anchored in metaphor of picture books functioning as either “window” or “mirror,” depending on children’s individual experiences or identities, therefore necessitating acknowledgment of children’s potential future queerness. Through semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, the study uncovers multifaceted perspectives. Participants respond positively to both texts and express interest in incorporating these into their teaching practices. However, they additionally demonstrate awareness of potential limitations and complexities, including negative reactions from stakeholders and promoting heteronormativity. Uncertainty is expressed around navigating these issues within existing curriculum and policy frameworks. The study concludes by advocating for enhanced exploration of these difficulties in initial teacher training and early career stages, if aiming to adequately support these emerging educators in effectively promoting LGBT+ inclusivity in their future classrooms.

Medical students‘ leadership competence in health care: development of a self-assessment scale

BackgroundMedical leadership plays an increasing role already in early career stages. Undergraduate medical students in the transition to postgraduate education feel not well prepared for their leadership roles. While leadership curricula have been developed, instruments for students’ self-assessment of leadership competences as part of their professional development are still missing. The aim of our study was to develop a self-assessment scale for undergraduate medical students’ leadership competences.MethodsThe medical leadership competence scale (MeLeCoS) for undergraduate medical students was developed in twelve steps. For item generation, we employed the Medical Leadership Competence Framework (MLCF), which is also used as a framework for many leadership curricula and includes five leadership domains for three fields of education: undergraduate education, postgraduate education, and continuing practice. In a pretest, 67 items were tested with n = 88 undergraduate medical students. For content validation we performed group discussions with a total of 17 students. After item reduction a test-version with 45 items and a 5-point Likert scale (1: ‘never’, 2: ‘rarely’, 3: ‘sometimes’, 4: ‘often’, 5: ‘always’) was used in a test-sample of final-year students (n = 129). Descriptive statistics and factor analyses were performed.ResultsThe final version of the MeLeCoS includes 37 items and the scale’s Cronbach’s alpha was 0.87. Six factors could be identified and two of them, respectively, represent leadership aspects from the following three areas: (1) the medical students themselves, (2) the interrelation of the medical students with a healthcare organisation regarding general management and improvement, and (3) general leadership aspects of medical students within undergraduate medical studies and the healthcare system. The overall mean of the MeLeCoS was 3.50 ± 0.39. Factor 2 (‘Demonstrating responsible behaviour and shaping relations’) reached the highest mean (4,36 ± 0.37) and factor 5 (‘Promoting improvement and innovation in undergraduate medical education’ the lowest (1.91 ± 0.87).ConclusionsThe medical leadership competence self-assessment scale (MeLeCoS) is a reliable instrument for undergraduate medical students’ self-assessment of leadership competence with good content validity. It could be used for students’ self-reflection on leadership competences in addition to rater-based assessments in leadership curricula and for longitudinal development of students’ professional identity.

Environmental impacts of drugs against parasitic vector-borne diseases and the need to integrate sustainability into their development and use.

The current scientific discourse on environmental impacts of veterinary medicines mostly focuses on ectoparasiticides. Meanwhile, the environmental impacts of widely prescribed drugs for the treatment of human and animal parasitic vector-borne diseases (PVBD) remain largely unexplored. There is thus a need for evidence-based information to support guidelines and protocols for sustainable One Health PVBD drug development and use, while promoting greener research practices. Here, we reflect on the potential environmental impacts of PVBD drugs in current use, and the environmental impact of our research practices for developing new antiparasitics. We conducted a survey of the membership of the "One Health drugs against parasitic vector borne diseases in Europe and beyond" Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action 21111 (OneHealth drugs) to assess the current appreciation of sustainable drug design concepts and the extent to which One Health and sustainability principles are integrated into PVBD drug discovery and development. The survey also explored which human, technical, and funding resources are currently used in Europe and neighbouring countries in PVBD drugs research. The survey was conducted and analysed by OneHealth drugs and garnered 89 respondents, representing a response rate of 66% from 32 countries, predominantly European. 87% of participating collaborators worked in Academia; research groups were small (60% with 1-4 researchers) and mostly consist of few researchers, mostly at early career stages (63% <35 years old). Collaborations were mostly between academics, and 60% collaborated with non-European researchers, while funding was mostly from national governments. Motivation for greener research practices was high but there was as yet low implementation of green strategies or the incorporation of ecotoxicological test in drug development workflows, due to cost and unfamiliarity. We highlight the need for early-ecotoxicological testing of new drug candidates and suggest best practices as we move towards standardized protocols in developing safe and efficacious PVBD drugs.

Self-Perceived Employability and Psychological Well-Being Among Italian Students and Graduates: A Three-Wave Cross-Lagged Study

This study investigated the reciprocal relationship between self-perceived employability (SPE) and psychological well-being (PWB), a connection previously suggested by theory but not yet explored empirically in early career research. Drawing from the Conservation of Resources theory, we analysed the reciprocal effects between SPE and PWB. Using data collected from 376 Italian university students and graduates, we tested the hypotheses with the random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) to analyse the SPE-PWB reciprocal linkage at both the between-person and within-person levels. While we observed a reciprocal SPE-PWB association across three waves at the between-person level, we obtained mixed findings at the within-person level. This study is the first to test the reciprocal associations between SPE and PWB among labour market entrants adopting a within-person approach. The findings offer new empirical insights into SPE during early career stages, with implications for both future research and practical applications.

Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders among Chinese conservatoire piano students: prevalence, risk factors and preventive interventions.

Both professional musicians and conservatoire students are at significant risk of developing playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) during their career life. With the growing number of students pursuing a conservatory degree and graduating from music conservatory in China, the aims of this study were: (1) to identify the nature of PRMD and explore the prevalence of PRMD in Chinese conservatoire students; (2) to determine the relevant risk factors with the presence of PRMD among Chinese conservatoire students; and (3) to suggest preventive interventions for young pianists at their early career stage. A self-reported online survey study was conducted among 363 Chinese conservatoire students who majored in piano performance. Of all respondents, 82.6% reported having had at least one PRMD. The wrist was proved to be the most affected body site, followed by the shoulder, finger and arm. Respondents who experienced PRMD reported "pain," "fatigue," and "stiffness" as the most frequent symptoms. The main risk factors associated with PRMD included gender, years of playing experiences, practice hours, warm-up habits before practice, and break-taking during practice. Female students, those with longer year of playing experience, those who practice longer hours, those who do not warm up before practice, and those who do not take breaks during practice were found to have more PRMD symptoms and higher level of severity. This study highlights the need to increase awareness of PRMD among conservatoire students and to understand the occurrence of PRMD; it is helpful for young pianists to prevent severe musculoskeletal disorders and implement preventive measures at early career stages. Further studies are suggested to follow up on music students who have had at least one PRMD at different stages of professional musical training.

How has scientific performance of distinguished young scholars in China changed compared to their early careers?

PurposeThis paper aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the scientific performance of distinguished young scholars in China during the pre-award and early stages of their research careers, aiming to provide insights into their growth pattern.Design/methodology/approachSpearman correlation was used to analyse the correlation between various academic ages and awarding age of the distinguished young scholars. The Wilcoxon matched pairs test was used to analyse variations in their scientific performance across different research stages.FindingsThe findings showed that: a) early successful research experiences significantly impact their emergence as outstanding scientists. While a low correlation exists between publication ages and awards, perseverance proves crucial for later-stage academic achievements; b) productivity increases before awards, with notable variations between first-author and non-first-authored publications; c) collaboration intensifies before awards, particularly in non-first author roles. However, discipline-specific variations highlight the importance of smaller teams and first-author roles, especially in the early career stage; d) the correlation between collaboration and productivity depends on research roles, emphasizing the evolving nature of collaboration dynamics as scholars progress in their careers.Originality/valueThis study could offer a reference for formulating well-founded talent training programs and reward mechanisms.

The challenges, opportunities and future of comparative physiology in the Global South: perspectives of early-career researchers.

Researchers in the Global South (GS, developing countries) make valuable contributions to the field of comparative physiology, but face economic and scientific disparities and several unique challenges compared with colleagues in the Global North (developed countries). This Perspective highlights some of the challenges, knowledge gaps and disparities in opportunity faced by GS researchers, especially those at early-career stages. We propose collaborative solutions to help address these issues, and advocate for promoting investment and cultural and societal change for a more inclusive research community. Additionally, we highlight the role of GS researchers in contributing expert knowledge on local biodiversity and the environment; this knowledge can help to shape the future of comparative physiology, allowing us to achieve a better understanding of the evolution of physiological mechanisms and to develop innovative solutions to environmental and biomedical challenges. With this Perspective, we hope to highlight the need to foster a more diverse, equitable and inclusive research landscape in comparative physiology; one that empowers GS scientists to address the global challenges associated with biodiversity loss, climate change and environmental pollution.

An elder millennial in late early career stage

The “Spanning the Career Stages—A Conversation About Work in Bioacoustics” session will gather participants spanning students to late career professionals to have a conversation about work in bioacoustics. Each participant will give a brief introduction on their background and career path with ample time allotted for Q&amp;A. As an elder millennial, I am currently in the phase between “early career” and “established professional.” Topics will include professional development, the importance of mentors, work/life balance, integrating family into careers, and more. My experience, thus far, will allow me to speak about topics, such as morphing a music/bio undergraduate degree into a more physics-heavy research role, the transition from graduate school through post-doc to industry, mentoring students in my second language, advising as a side gig, and/or lessons learned about how business at a small research start-up differs from a FAANG-style work environment or academia.

Environmental impacts of drugs against parasitic vector-borne diseases and the need to integrate sustainability into their development and use

Background The current scientific discourse on environmental impacts of veterinary medicines mostly focuses on ectoparasiticides. Meanwhile, the environmental impacts of widely prescribed drugs for the treatment of human and animal parasitic vector-borne diseases (PVBD) remain largely unexplored. There is thus a need for evidence-based information to support guidelines and protocols for sustainable One Health PVBD drug development and use, while promoting greener research practices. Here, we reflect on the potential environmental impacts of PVBD drugs in current use, and the environmental impact of our research practices for developing new antiparasitics. Methods We conducted a survey to assess the current appreciation of sustainable drug design concepts and the extent to which One Health and sustainability principles are integrated into PVBD drug discovery and development. The survey also explored which human, technical, and funding resources are currently used in Europe and neighbouring countries in PVBD drugs research. The analysis and reflection are developed within the “One Health drugs against parasitic vector borne diseases in Europe and beyond” Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action 21111 (OneHealthdrugs). Results The survey response rate was 66%, from 32 countries, predominantly European. 87% of participating collaborators worked in Academia; research groups were small (60% with 1-4 researchers) and mostly consist of few researchers, mostly at early career stages (63% &lt;35 years old). Collaborations were mostly between academics, and 60% collaborated with non-European researchers, while funding was mostly from national governments. Motivation for greener research practices was high but there was as yet low implementation of green strategies or the incorporation of ecotoxicological test in drug development workflows, due to cost and unfamiliarity. Conclusions We highlight the need for early-ecotoxicological testing of new drug candidates and suggest best practices as we move towards standardized protocols in developing safe and efficacious PVBD drugs.

Racial microaggressions on the initial teacher education programmes: implications for minority ethnic teacher retention

ABSTRACT The representation and retention in the teaching profession are lower for people from all minority ethnic groups in England. The most significant ethnic disparities were found to occur in the early career stages (Worth et al., 2022). This article draws on critical race theory to investigate how racism, in the form of racial microaggressions, contributes to these disparities. It shares the findings from a small-scale research project on student teachers’ experiences of racial microaggressions while learning to teach and discusses the implications for retention in the profession. It draws on a pilot survey (N = 42) and interview data from 14 pre-service teachers from a variety of ethnic and subject backgrounds to explore participants’ racialised experiences on school placements, as well as university elements of the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme in England. The findings suggest that microaggressions were more common on school placements than at universities. There is evidence to suggest that experiences of racial microaggressions may negatively affect minority ethnic student teachers’ thoughts on viability in the teaching profession.

Development of emotion regulation skills among new teachers in special education: the key role of educational leaders and colleagues

ABSTRACT Purpose. To trace the process of developing emotion regulation skills among female teachers in special education in their early career. The study posed two questions: (1) What are the patterns of developing emotion regulation skills in early career in teaching? (2) What are the factors that stimulate and influence the process of developing emotion regulation? Method. Twelve teachers in the early career stage working in special education participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings. The teachers reported moving from emotion suppression in the first two years in teaching to a display of both positive and negative emotions. Among the factors affecting, this process is the new teachers’ colleagues and the school principals. Value. Studying the development of emotion regulation skills in teaching increases our understanding of early career in teaching, on one hand, and of the place of emotion regulation in the professional development of new teachers, on the other.

Die Stellenbosche Heyns: Nagedink oor die vroeë, middel en latere jare van ’n akademiese loopbaan

This contribution is structured in the genre of an academic letter to a deceased colleague, in this case Prof. Johan Adam Heyns (1928–1994). He was appointed for a short period from 1966 to 1970 as a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University. This contribution offers a reappraisal of this period in the academic career of Prof. Heyns. His main focus at the time, in line with his teaching duties, was on apologetics and, to some extent, also ethics. The author engages with Prof. Heyns’s views at the time and offers a sixfold mirror to position this phase of his career, namely in terms of the tensions between orthodoxy and modernity, between the philosophical influence of Henk Stoker and the theological influence of Herman Bavinck, and between the implementation of apartheid and the struggle against that. This mirror is held up in order to reflect on the early, middle and later stages of any academic career including that of the author, to contrast the radiance and risk of youthful academic rigour and the wisdom but also the rigidity that may come with mature age.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The research done, is not of an interdisciplinary nature. This article contributes to a growing corpus of literature assessing the legacy of Prof. Johan Adam Heyns.