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Published by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy, Support for Arts and Humanities Researchers Post-PhD presents the results of a detailed survey highlighting the kind of issues faced by researchers in the arts and humanities in the period immediately following doctoral study.

Many of them are on fixed-term contracts, but around half of these ¡°gave negatively or neutrally phrased reasons for taking up their current position(s)¡±, based on ¡°a perceived lack of choice¡±. Around 92 per cent of ECRs on fixed-term contracts ¡°expressed concerns about their career now and in the future¡±.

The online survey and interviews carried out by Oakleigh Consulting also revealed the importance of starting ¡°to seek advice on pursuing an academic career prior to or at the start of [a] doctorate¡±, something that 61 per cent of those on permanent contracts had done, compared with only 43 per cent of those still on fixed-term contracts.

However, since 71 per cent of ECRs on a permanent contract had previously held a fixed-term contract, and a quarter had held three or more, there was heartening evidence that short-term posts can be a pathway to permanent positions.

Asked about the support most useful for career development, the ECRs surveyed pointed to ¡°advice with preparing grant applications¡±, ¡°time to publish¡±, and ¡°mentorship¡±. The report also flagged up the value of ¡°networks for sharing experiences¡±.

matthew.reisz@tesglobal.com