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Summary

Using Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, we reviewed qualitative data to better understand what actions can help postdoctoral scholars feel a sense of belonging in the workplace.

Abstract

Purpose Postdoctoral scholars can experience challenges leading to negative impacts on their personal and professional lives, including low levels of a sense of belonging (Yadav et al. 2020). While researchers have suggested needed improvements for better supporting the postdoctoral scholar workforce (Ã…lund et al., 2020), few studies have delved into postdoctoral scholars’ views on what would improve their belonging experiences in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to learn more about postdoctoral scholars’ experiences of belonging in the workplace in their own words. Postdoctoral scholars identified changes that could be made to increase their sense of belonging in the workplace, invoking a call to action within institutions of higher education and the broader research enterprise. 

Research Questions 

• to what extent do postdoctoral scholars feel a sense of belonging where they work, if at all.
• what, if anything, would contribute to postdoctoral scholars’ increased level of connection to the institution where they work?

What was known

Postdoctoral scholars face many challenges in the workplace, including low pay, employment insecurity, and career pathways. Postdocs across the world have reported having no set career paths, lack of professional development opportunities, and are not supported to learn about aspects of their current job or future positions.

What the research adds to the discussion

We are one of few published studies to use structured interviews to actually ask postdocs about their experiences with belonging in the workplace and how things could change to increase their sense of belonging.

Methodology

The authors investigated postdoctoral scholars’ experiences with belonging through structured interviews and asked participants (n = 30 postdoctoral scholars working in the USA) how their sense of belonging could be increased in their workplace. Using an ecological model as a lens, the authors organize findings at policy, institutional and office/lab unit levels. While previous research has found significant structural barriers to postdoctoral scholars’ sense of belonging, the research team specifically asked postdoctoral scholars to explain what would increase their sense of belonging.

Implications for Society

We provided five key actions supervisors of postdocs can implement to increase sense of belonging for postdocs. Postdocs are some of the most productive academic researchers around the globe, if they do not feel supported in their career paths to becoming academic faculty or researchers, we could lose potential research and life-changing findings across all fields of study.

Implications for Policy 

We identified ways the federal government can better support international postdocs, including how visas are processed and regulations around federal grant money.