1. Academic careers and welfare: Navigating the post-PhD years
Dr Charlotte Mathieson, University of Surrey
@cemathieson

2. My early career path 2007-10: PhD, University of Warwick (viva 2011)
Jan 2011 – Oct 2012: hourly-paid teaching, marking, invigilation,
academic writing, 1-1 tuition, short term research fellowship,
research assistant, work on University ECR projects, freelance proofreading, etc…
Oct 2012 – Sept 2013: 0.6 FTE project fellow Institute of Advanced Study, University of Warwick
Sept 2013 – Sept 2015: 2 years further in IAS post, full-time
Sept 2015 – July 2016: 10-month teaching fellowship, Newcastle University
August 2016 – present: Lecturer in English Literature, University of Surrey

3. Characteristics of early career paths
There is no typical path
A period of precarity is common, and increasingly longer
Multiple, short-term contracts across institutions (simultaneously/successively) typical
Most jobs teaching-focused; ECR fellowships available but harder to come by

4. Challenges of early career paths: academic
Time – for research and career development; work-life balance
Money – living costs, funding for conferences
Uncertainty of precarity – will contract be maintained/extended, where will I be in X weeks
Planning academic (and personal) life – developing a career plan
Balancing competing demands of long-term goals vs short-term needs

5. Challenges of early career paths: academic
Feeling adrift – no consistent supervisor/ mentor
Relocation: costly, time-consuming, (re)building networks
Rejection, rejection, rejection…

6. Challenges of early career paths: personal wellbeing
Imposter syndrome
Isolation and loneliness
Anxiety, panic attacks
Sleep disruption/deprivation
Depression
Physical health impact
Exacerbation of previous/existing mental health problems
Reduced capacity for dealing with life events – bereavement, supporting family and friends

7. Overcoming challenges: personal strategies
Look after yourself: exercise, eat well
Have down-time
Socialise: make time for family and friends
Pursue other interests and hobbies
Seek professional help – counselling/ mental health services

8. Overcoming challenges: academic strategies
Take control of what you can: have a plan
Make it flexible and accommodating
Prioritise and strategise
Keep the long-term in sight
Job applications:
Help and get help from others (peers/more experienced)
Have a rejection strategy

9. Overcoming challenges: academic support
Build up peer-support networks: moral support, application advice, welcoming new colleagues
Online networks: ECR community online invaluable
Mentors: seek more experienced mentors to help strategise and give direction

10. Key messages It’s not just you; it isn’t personal
Take control of the things you can
Look after yourself and others
Don’t put your mental health and wellbeing on hold

11. c. mathieson@surrey. ac. uk @cemathieson www. charlottemathieson
@cemathieson