Enhancing the agency of early career academics

Breslin, M. , Harvie, J. , Leslie, B. and McLaren, E. (2021) Enhancing the agency of early career academics. Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice, 9(3), pp. 32-40. (doi: 10.14297/jpaap.v9i3.469)

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Publisher's URL: https://jpaap.napier.ac.uk/index.php/JPAAP/article/view/469

Abstract

This article explores the lived experiences of four early career academics transitioning from school educators (within the primary and secondary sectors) to lecturers in initial teacher education in a United Kingdom Higher Education institution. These early career academics were established teachers with strong practitioner identities within their field of education and experienced in reflective practice. The concept of agency is firstly explored, and an ecological model presented and used as a framework in this study. A collaborative autoethnographic methodological approach is used to structure personal and professional reflections in order to gain an insight into the evolving identities of the early career academics as they embrace and develop new careers within Higher Education as lecturers. Factors emerge which have both hindered and enhanced agency and this paper sets out some recommendations for change. It is hoped that Higher Education establishments may find these findings useful to consider when inducting new staff and helping them develop and flourish in the early stages of their academic careers.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Mclaren, Miss Evelyn and Leslie, Mr Brian and Harvie, Dr Julie and Breslin, Mark
Authors: Breslin, M., Harvie, J., Leslie, B., and McLaren, E.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Educational Leadership & Policy
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Pedagogy, Praxis & Faith
Journal Name:Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice
Publisher:Edinburgh Napier University
ISSN:2051-9788
ISSN (Online):2051-9788
Published Online:21 January 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice 9(3): 32-40
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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