Early career researchers’ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of sharing research with academic and non-academic end-users
Abstract
© 2020 HERDSA. Contemporary early career researchers (ECRs) must share their research findings with both academic and non-academic audiences in order to advance their careers. With university organisational factors potentially both demanding and inhibiting ECR research dissemination, more needs to be known about ECRs’ perceptions and experiences of the benefits and challenges of sharing research for diverse audiences. This article investigates ECRs’ perceptions of sharing research with academic and non-academic end-users, drawing on perspectives from 30 ECRs in Australia and Japan. Findings hold cross-contextual and disciplinary salience. Benefits of sharing research with the academic community included collaboration and networking, exposure and career development, contribution to knowledge, and learning and feedback. We found that sharing research with non-academic end users offered benefits in relation to end user utility, social change, securing future funding, and knowledge mobilisation. However, respondents also identified a range of notable barriers that constrained their capacity to share their research within academia and beyond. Findings can be used to support ECRs' skills and knowledge development in sharing research with diverse audiences.
RAS ID
32216
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
2021
ISSN
07294360
Funding Information
Edith Cowan University
School
School of Education
Copyright
subscription content
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Comments
Merga, M., & Mason, S. (2021). Early career researchers’ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of sharing research with academic and non-academic end-users. Higher Education Research & Development, 40(7), 1482-1496. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2020.1815662