{"id":54857,"date":"2020-11-17T00:00:29","date_gmt":"2020-11-17T08:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=54857"},"modified":"2020-11-16T08:31:25","modified_gmt":"2020-11-16T16:31:25","slug":"how-to-support-junior-staff-in-a-time-of-turmoil-for-universities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/how-to-support-junior-staff-in-a-time-of-turmoil-for-universities\/","title":{"rendered":"How to support junior staff in a time of turmoil for universities"},"content":{"rendered":"

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An estimated\u00a017,500<\/a>\u00a0casual and fixed-term academic staff at Australian universities are projected to lose their jobs over the next six months. Most of them will be early career researchers (ECRs). ECRs are junior academics who face increasing workloads and expectations, and insecure employment.<\/p>\n

This combination of factors makes them susceptible to termination,\u00a0exploitation<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0burnout<\/a>\u00a0as they pursue a permanent position in academia. During the pandemic, these vulnerabilities have been amplified.<\/p>\n

Most universities have programs to assist the career development of ECRs. However, exceptional times required a more proactive and holistic response to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable staff.<\/p>\n

A program guided by participants<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As Swinburne University\u2019s ECR Program co-ordinator in 2020, here\u2019s what I did. My team and I carefully designed a program of hands-on mentoring, skill-building and social connection for ECRs working remotely. The aim was to keep ECRs engaged and to help them professionally and emotionally navigate the most difficult phase of their careers.<\/p>\n

How did we decide what activities to offer our ECRs? We asked them. My first undertaking as program co-ordinator was to survey all ECRs to identify areas of need at the beginning of Victoria\u2019s first lockdown.<\/p>\n

The responses directly informed the program. I also formed a committee comprising ECRs from across the university to help oversee and take ownership of their program. The 2020 program, somewhat unexpectedly, provided us with a model of early career professional engagement for post-pandemic life.<\/p>\n

What did the program offer?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This is what we delivered.<\/p>\n

First, we substantially increased the number of ECR events in 2020. Seminars were held two to three times a month so ECRs working from home would have more opportunities to connect.<\/p>\n

As it turns out, online events are more accessible. Eliminating travel and scheduling barriers allows those with competing life commitments to log on at their convenience.<\/p>\n

Second, we matched the content of the seminars to the immediate concerns of our cohort. Historically, ECR professional development seminars provide generic information on applying for funding and writing academic papers. Instead, our seminars canvassed a wide-range of relevant and urgent issues facing ECRs. These included a focus on:<\/p>\n