The Changing Nature of Academic Work and Careers Today: International Trends and Issues with a Focus on the U.S. Martin Finkelstein Seton Hall University, USA NIFU Annual Conference, Oslo May 31, 2013

Three Parts International trends in academic work and careers, esp. – the changing demographic profile of new entrants – the relative emphasis between teaching and research, – the changing nature of research funding and expectations – the changing pathways to academic careers The Case of the U.S. – New variations on the “integrated” (t-r-s) work role – New variations on the tenure-eligible career track Conclusions: Challenges to recruitment of a new academic generation

Challenges to Identifying International Trends Academic careers remain very much closely intertwined with national contexts (different traditions, legal conditions,training phases,etc) Increasing within- country diversification complicates even national generalizations Accelerated higher education reform in many countries makes for a “moving target”

Mega-trend: Concurrently increasing diversification and isomorphism in academic work At the macro, national system level, a tension between – the public policy imperative toward increasing differentiation of institutional missions which translates into differential, sector -specific expectations for academic work – increased isomorphism as all institution joins the “snake-like procession” pursuing uni-dimensional notion of “quality” At the institutional level, more consistent differentiation of faculty role expectations by type of appointment (part-time or full-time limited contract) resulting in teaching-only and research only roles

Trends in demographic profile Gender -The growing presence of women in the academic workforce in western nations ( both mature and emerging economies) and in China (~40-50%) Family - An increase in dual-career couples, esp in the U.S. and some European countries, esp Norway Generation - The rise of the “millenial” generation –born after 1980 – brings increased expectation for work-family/personal life balance

Trends in research, teaching and service National systems can be divided among those that historically emphasize research (Germany, Japan), teaching (Latin America, Southeast Asia), and a mix (US, UK, Australia) – In the historically teaching oriented systems,there is an increasing emphasis on research ; – in some research oriented and “mixed” systems, (Japan, U.S.) a greater emphasis on teaching Increased focus on the “quality” of knowledge products and dissemination (teaching) reflected in widespread use of performance appraisal systems Public funding has declined and/or become more targeted and competitive, Managerialism is increasing (even if increasingly decentralized) threatening both academic’s professional autonomy and their influence on university governance

Trends in Academic Careers While there is wide variation, most countries increasingly require a doctoral degree as the entry-level credential for new, full-time appointments, Growth in “new” types of temporary appointments, either part or full-time or both primarily at the entry or junior level ; Stable cadre of full professors on permanent or “tenured” appointments, ranging from 1/5 to 3/5 of the total academic staff Most countries provide short-term contracts with no prospects of permanence for junior staff, although a few (Japan, Netherlands, UK) provide permanent contracts to junior staff

The Case of the U.S. Growth in more specialized work roles ( t, r, or s only) associated with “new” appointments Explosive growth in the “new,” non- tenure-eligible appointments Emerging alternative career tracks

More specialized work roles associated with the “new” appointments Part-time adjunct Teaching Course Delivery Interaction Assess (partial) Full-time, limited contract Teach -only Research- only Course Preparation Delivery Interaction Assessment Other Tutorial Clinical supr Conduct Prep reports Present papers Supervise Graduate students Write Grants Service- only Internal Prog dirct

Part-time Adjunct Doctoral Students Lecturer or other non- ladder Post-Doc Fellow Lecturer #2 Assistant Professor Tenure Track Part-time #3Part-time #2 Lecturer #3 Full Professor Administrator Associate Professor, with tenure Post-Doc Fellow #2 Gov’t & Industry EarlyMiddle

The Challenges in Recruiting a New Academic Generation Addressing the expectations of the “millenial” generation – including dual-career couples --about work and personal family life balance Addressing the need to maintain and expand professional autonomy within the context of increasing performance pressures, constraints on research and managerialism Addressing the lack of a clear and predictable path to permanent appointments, esp in countries with rich alternative labor market options for new PhDs

A Final Thought: Formula for Success When we ask ourselves what have been the pillars of the strength of the U.S. system, I would argue that there have been four ---all currently at risk : – Openness to foreign talent – Commitment of federal (central govt_ resources – Institutional autonomy – Predictable academic career path