Difficulties and Barriers Young Academics in China’s Research University are Facing: An Institutional Analysis of Organizational Socialization to Academia
Project Info: Master Thesis @Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Role: Individual Project
Date: Sep, 2015 - May, 2016
Recognitions: Association for the Study of Higher Education Conference 2018
HuBei, China
Introduction
This research used qualitative method to investigate obstacles and barriers when young faculty socialized to academia in a research university. Through in-depth interviews and field observations, it deeply depicts the plight of young faculty socializing in an academic institution during their early career. Young faculty are facing to accept the "hidden rules"
Based on the institutional theory framework, the research finds the institutional factors that affect faculty development path in the research university, finally proposed its suggestions to improve new faculty's belonging to the university.
Conducted in-depth interview with young faculty (n=15, age≤35) from different department in HUST, carried out field observations of daily life, teaching in classes and social development workshops.
Literature review always comes first, the research is focused on the institutional theory and how different institutional pillars influence new faculty's socialization to the university.
Transcribed interviews recording, and hand coded relevant qualitative data (>150,000 words) including observation memos.
Based on the literature review, in-depth interview was adopted as research method. The outline of semi-construct interview was sent to the participants. The interview questions were evaluated by my advisor and other experts.
Data Analysis
Interview
Research Preparation
Literature Review
Process
Problem Statement
Young faculty are facing different obstacles when they newly socialize to academia. What are the institutional barriers for them to get involved into the research university environment? How to improve their experiences during their early career in a research university?
Results and Suggestions
This research investigated the hidden reasons caused obstacles that young faculty facing in the process of
organizational socialization at a research university. By adjusting the conflicts between the pillars, it develops institutions that promote organizational socialization of young faculty. This
requires adjustment the marginalized position of young faculty in universities, reconstructing organizational culture and establishing professional development organizations and climate.