Academic careers
An academic career has three key components: research, teaching and administration. Typical tasks might include:
- writing up research and publishing the findings
- applying for research grants
- teaching, marking and assessing work
- analysing data and preparing reports
- presenting work at conferences and seminars
Source: Prospects.ac.uk
A typical entry level role following completion of a research degree would be as a research or teaching fellow.
Is an academic career right for you?
Questions for you
- Why do I want to be an academic?
- Have I got the right motivation - am I choosing to stay because I don’t know enough about the alternatives or because leaving would feel like failure?
- What aspect of academia am I most attracted to – teaching or research? Or would I like to have a mixture of both in future roles? What are the potential opportunities for that in my specialism?
- Do I want to work internationally?
Top tips for developing an academic career
The following activities will increase your chances of developing a successful academic career.
- Get published
- Gain some project management experience
- Take on teaching responsibilities
- Increase your involvement in funding/budgeting issues and familiarise yourself with quality assessment procedures
- Take steps to better understand the broader issues affecting Higher Education
- Network with colleagues/peers outside your institution
- Work with people who have a good reputation
Three University of Nottingham alumni talk about their academic careers
Find out about their:
- current role and what it involves
- how they secured the role
- advice to you about entering academia
Fern Baker, Lecturer
Symeon Dionysis, Research Fellow
Rebecca Hall, Teaching Associate
Careers beyond an arts and humanities PhD - alumni perspectives
This event hosted a range of arts and social sciences PGRs work across different sectors. Hear how they entered their field and how their PhD helped them alongside the highs and lows of their careers.
From an academic perspective, Dr Pierre-Alexis Mevel (PhD French Studies), Associate Professor in Translation Studies at the University of Nottingham talked about:
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- Alumni: Email us to gain access to the webinar
Spotlight On: Research
If you're interested in research this recording is a great opportunity to hear from researchers who share what they do, how they got into their role and what it is like on a day-to-day basis.
The speakers talk about their different research areas and have a range of experiences and expertise to share with you.
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- Alumni: Email us to gain access to the webinar