1 11 Study of the Young Academics in 19 Higher Education Systems in Comparative and Empirical Perspectives Study of the Young Academics in 19 Higher Education Systems in Comparative and Empirical Perspectives Professor Dr. Futao HUANG Hiroshima University, Japan For the workshop on the Global State of Young Scientists May 2013 Hannover, Germany

2 Research framework

3 33 Outline Objectives, method and terminology General state of young academics in 19 HE systems Conclusions and implications

Objective To describe current state of young academics’ activities and their views on these activities, working conditions, and their career based on an international survey on the academy from 18 countries and Hong Kong in To undertake a comparative study of major findings about junior academics from mature systems and emerging systems. To provide simple implications at both policy and institutional levels. 4

CAP survey carried out in 18 countries and Hong Kong over Common aim was to complete an “effective” sample of 800 professors in degree granting institutions. Taking into account the design effect and expected response rates, country sample frames typically targeted from 2000 to 4000 faculty. Some countries used mail surveys and other electronic. Response rates were at least 20 percent (where electronic survey technique used, many mailings were blocked and hence response rates tended to be low), and in all countries comparisons of completed sample characteristics with population characteristics was satisfactory. For a few countries, weighting was introduced to improve these comparisons. Method 5

Terminology The term ‘young academics’ refers to academics or faculty members with titles such as assistant professors, lectures, researcher associates, and assistants from first-degree awarding universities and other HEIs in the countries or region which took part in the international survey with a common questionnaire. The 19 higher educaiton systems are identified into two groups: mature systems (Canada, USA, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, UK, Australia, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong) and emerging countries or systems (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, China, Malaysia), based on GDP per capita (World Bank, 2008) and data reported by subgroup. 6

7 77 Outline Objectives, method and terminology General state of young academics in 19 HE systems Conclusions and implications

Figure 1 Doctoral obtained (percent, multiple responses) 8 Over 60 percent of the junior academics from the mature systems held doctoral degree while the proportion of doctoral degree holders from the emerging systems was less than 32 percent.

9 The percent of the junior academics from the mature systems had much stronger preference for research than those from the emerging systems. Figure 2 Preference for teaching/research(percent)

Figure 3 Proportion of time spent on teaching and research when classes are in session (means of percentages) Question: Please indicate your views on the following: (Scale of answer from 1 = Strongly agree to 5 = Strongly disagree) 10 The junior academics from the mature systems spent less proportion of their time on teaching and more on research than those from the emerging systems.

11 Figure 4 Proportion of Instruction Time Spent on Programs at Different Levels of Study (arithmetic mean of percentages) The junior academics from the emerging systems spent more proportion of their time on undergraduate programs and continuing professional education programs, but less on both master programs and doctoral programs than the junior academics from the mature systems.

12 Figure 5 Character of primary research ( percent; responses 1 and 2) Question D2: How would you characterize the emphasis of your primary research this (or the previous) academic year? (Scale of answer 1 = Very much to 5 = Not at all) Over half of the junior academics from both systems engaged in basic/theoretical and multi-interdisciplinary research. However, more junior academics from the mature systems did research from the international scope while more junior academics from the emerging systems were involved with applied/practically- oriented and socially-intended for the betterment of society.

13 Figure 6 Collaboration in Research (percent of all respondents; multiple responses) More percent of the junior academics from the mature systems collaborated with international colleagues and persons at other institutions in their country than those from the emerging systems.

14 Figure 7 Proportion of Respondents Producing Different Research Outputs in the Past Three Years (percent of all respondents; multiple responses) On average, more proportion of the junior academics from the mature systems produced different research outputs, especially in articles published in an academic book or journal and papers presented at a scholarly conference, than those from the emerging systems.

15 Figure 8 Positive Views on job and academic activities (percent; responses 1 and 2) Question: Please indicate your views on the following (Scale of answer from 1 = Strongly agree to 5 = Strongly disagree) But more percent of the junior academics from the mature systems said that they suffered more strain from their work and thought teaching and research are hardly compatible with each other.

16 Figure 9 Strong Views of Institutional Management and Administration (percent; responses 1 and 2) Question At my institution there is... (Scale of answer from 1 = Strongly agree to 5 = Strongly disagree) No striking differences could be found in institutional management and administration between the two groups. However, there were more cumbersome administrative process and less supportive administrative staff in the mature systems than there were in the emerging systems.

17 Figure 10 Positive Views on Conditions for Research (percent; responses 1 and 2) Question: Please indicate your views on the following (Scale of answer from 1 = Strongly agree to 5 = Strongly disagree) The junior academics from the mature systems seem to have had more pressure in research activities, but both groups shared much in their views on conditions for research.

18 Figure 11 Positive Assessment of Institution’s Support for Own Work (percent; responses 1 and 2) On average, more percent of the junior academics from the mature systems had a positive assessment on their institution’s support for their own work than those from the emerging systems. Question At this institution, how would you evaluate each of the following facilities, resources, or personnel you need to support your work? (Scale of answers from 1 = Excellent to 5 = Poor)

19 Figure 12 Perceived changes in working conditions in higher education ( percent; arithmetic means) But more percent of the junior academics from the emerging systems felt that their working conditions had been much improved.

20 Figure 13 Considered Major Changes in Job (percent; multiple responses) More percent of the junior academics from the mature systems expressed that they considered working outside higher education / research institute than those from the emerging systems, though far more percent of the junior academics from both systems had not considered making any major changes in the job.

21 Figure 14 Positive Views on Career (percent; responses 1 and 2) Question: Please indicate your views on the following (Scale of answer from 1 = Strongly agree to 5 = Strongly disagree) Becoming academics is still attractive for the junior staff in both mature and emerging systems, though more percent of the junior academics from the mature systems had negative views on their career than those from the emerging systems.

22 Outline Objectives, method and terminology General state of young academics in 19 HE systems Conclusions and implications

Academic profession is a relatively attractive for the junior academics in both systems, though there existed clear differences between the junior academics from the two systems. The junior academics from the mature systems had more doctoral holders, spent more proportion of their time on research and teaching more postgraduate programs. Additionally, they enjoyed more favorable conditions for research and institution’s support for their own work, thus they produced more different research outputs. But they had suffered more pressure to raise external funds, more of them had considered making major changes in their jobs and they had less positive view on their career. 23

In contrast the junior academics from the emerging systems were involved with more teaching activities, particularly at undergraduate level. Besides, though their conditions for research was worse, they believed that the facilities and working conditions had been improved. Thus they had a relatively higher level of positive assessment on their institution’s management and administration and less percent of them considered making major changes in their jobs. 24

In the mature systems, it is necessary to improve their junior academics’ working conditions, secure more research funds for them, maintain good communication between management and academics, and to reduce cumbersome administrative process, in order to attract excellent young academics. In the emerging systems, more efforts need to be made to provide more favorable conditions for their academics’ research, especially facilities or ‘hardware’. Perhaps it is also required that more domestic and international collaboration should be carried out in their research. More importantly, strategies should be developed to increase numbers of doctoral holders as one of means to improve their academics’ quality and to encourage them to undertake more research activities which can reinforce their teaching and to enhance their academic productivity. 25

Thank You 26