Early career mobility of female doctorate holders

Dr Inma Álvarez, Dr Clare Horáčková, Dr Jitka Vseteckova, The Open University, UK

Emails: inma.alvareaz@open.ac.uk; c.horackova@open.ac.uk; Jitka.vseteckova@open.ac.uk   

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Abstract

There is increasing interest in the concept of work mobility as people are experiencing multiple transitions during their working lives. Work or career mobility is a multidimensional concept that refers to internal mobility within an institution or field, geographical mobility, disciplinary mobility, and mobility between sectors.

This talk will present the research evidence from literature published since the 1980s on the early career mobility of female doctorate holders around the world. One of the aims of this study was to identify in the research literature the value of the types and subjects of doctorates achieved by women for the roles and positions they held in their early career period, and the types of mobility they experience during this critical period of their employment lives. We will examine the variation found on the evidence depending on country, institution and individual circumstances as well as the recurring promoters and barriers to successful employment experiences.

Understanding trends in educational choices by women and their work mobility in the first few years after graduation would provide some indicators of the flexibility in the job market in different geographical areas as well as the adaptability - voluntary or forced - of doctorate holders. Knowledge in this area can help universities to inform the training and advice provided to female postgraduates studying for a doctorate.