A Precarious Future: Reflections from a Survey of Early Career Researchers in Archaeology

This article presents the results of a 2021 international online survey of 419 early career researchers in archaeology. Respondents were passionate about pursuing an academic career, but pessimistic about job and career prospects. Statistics highlight specific obstacles, especially for women, from u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of archaeology 2023-05, Vol.26 (2), p.226-250
Main Authors: Brami, Maxime, Emra, Stephanie, Muller, Antoine, Preda-Bălănică, Bianca, Irvine, Benjamin, Milić, Bogdana, Malagó, Aldo, Meheux, Katie, Fernández-Götz, Manuel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic careers
Archaeology
Careers
Communities of practice
COVID-19
Educational trends
Employment
Excavation
Higher education
Polls & surveys
Practice research
Sex discrimination
Social networks
Workplace diversity
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Summary:This article presents the results of a 2021 international online survey of 419 early career researchers in archaeology. Respondents were passionate about pursuing an academic career, but pessimistic about job and career prospects. Statistics highlight specific obstacles, especially for women, from unstable employment to inequitable practices, and a chronic lack of support. Over 180 open-ended comments reveal worrying levels of workplace bullying and discrimination, particularly targeting women and minorities. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early career researchers is also examined. The survey's findings are analysed and contextualized within the international higher education sector. A communal effort is necessary to create sustained change, but early career researchers remain hopeful that change can be implemented.
ISSN:1461-9571
1741-2722
DOI:10.1017/eaa.2022.41