The strong nonlinear effect in academic dropout

Abstract

Survivability is one of the features for success in contemporary science ecosystem. In this paper, we analyze the publication records of physicists in American Physical Society journals, aiming to identify the career length of each researcher and accordingly investigate the dropout phenomenon in science by the example of physicists. We find that scientific career is a complex nonlinear evolution process and can be generally divided into four stages regarding the dropout rate. In the early career, the dropout rate from trainee phase to maturity is high and negatively correlated with the research performance of the scientists, in both productivity and impact. Moreover, a strong nonlinearity is observed when we study the detailed relationship between the dropout rate and research performance. Interestingly, in the more mature stage of the career, the dropout rate becomes stable and independent of the early performance of the scientists. In the late career stage, the dropout rate increases and is mainly determined by retirement and external factors. The findings in this paper may provide useful guidance for young scholars to allocate their research effort in the early career.

Gendered Career Pathways among Doctoral Graduates in the United Kingdom

“…Furthermore, those who were employed in HE research jobs were significantly less likely to have a permanent contract than those working in HE teaching. This reflects the fact that many of the available academic research jobs, particularly post-doctoral positions, are only offered on a fixed-term basis (Afonso 2016;Xing et al 2019). According to Afonso (2016), the current funding system of universities in the UK, which is closely tied to academic performance, provides strong incentives for university departments to hire researchers with a competitive publication record.…”

Disrupciones y Herencia de la Pandemia en la Comunicación Científica de los Investigadores Noveles Españoles

“…El proceso de convertirse en miembro de pleno derecho en la comunidad académica ha sido siempre largo y complejo (Bennion;Locke, 2010;Brechelmacher et al, 2015;Castellacci;Viñas-Bardolet, 2021;McQuarrie et al, 2020;Petsko et al, 2014;Powell, 2015;Vatansever, 2020). Ha sido el destino habitual de una cohorte cada vez mayor de doctores, que aspiran a ganar la reñida carrera por el número limitado de puestos académicos permanentes disponibles, sorteando los obstáculos que encuentran en su camino (Brechelmacher et al, 2015;Maher;Sureda Anfres, 2016;Roach;Sauermann, 2017;Xing et al, 2019). Con el advenimiento de la crisis económica mundial generada por la pandemia, que provocó una mayor tensión financiera para las instituciones de educación superior en todo el mundo (Baker, 2020a;Lederman, 2021;Radecki;Schonfeld, 2020;Ross, 2020;Thatcher et al, 2020), la situación no parecía favorable para los nuevos investigadores.…”

The impact of the pandemic on early career researchers' work‐life and scholarly communications: A quantitative aerial analysis

“…The two‐year, longitudinal Harbingers‐2 1 investigation into the impact of the pandemic on the work‐life and scholarly communications of early career researchers (ECRs) 2 from the sciences and social sciences in seven 3 countries (China, France, Malaysia, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom and United States) is ending (October 2022). This community of researchers, despite their relatively low status and uncertain career prospects (Bennion & Locke, 2010; Castellacci & Viñas‐Bardolet, 2020; Maher & Sureda Anfres, 2016; McQuarrie et al, 2020; Powell, 2015; Roach & Sauermann, 2017; Vatansever, 2020; Xing et al, 2019) merits deep and continuing investigation. It is not only that they, by definition, represent the future of the scientific endeavour (the great professors and Nobel prize winners of tomorrow) and, arguably, constitute the largest research community, too (see, e.g., the case of United States in Heggeness et al, 2017), but as Millennials, 4 they also bring with them new generational beliefs of openness to change, community‐mindedness and a keen consciousness of the public good, which render them the very cohort to make a difference in the scholarly world (Duffy et al, 2017; FEPS & ThinkYoung, 2018; Wireless World Research Forum, 2017).…”