Health Scientist as an Inbetweener A Sensemaking Story
Health Scientist as an In-betweener: A Sensemaking Story Tero Montonen, Päivi Eriksson and Eeva Aromaa University of Eastern Finland UEF // University of Eastern Finland ICMC 2017
The case study How university scientists make sense of their career paths? Context: Current changes in Finnish universities • Emphasis on societal impact, entrepreneurial universities, new public management F Changing faculty careers • Tenure track system, search for alternative career paths • Success stories in prior research: Non-tenured faculty, who are willing to become academic entrepreneurs UEF // University of Eastern Finland Presenter professor Päivi Eriksson ICMC 2017 2. 12. 2020 2
Theoretical frame: Critical Sensemaking properties Narrative interviews Critical sensemaking analysis Identity Power Observations, field diary UEF // University of Eastern Finland Career stories Interviews Rules Formative context Presenter professor Päivi Eriksson ICMC 2017 2. 12. 2020 3
One health scientist as the case • Then years after finishing a Ph. D, there is no career advancement in sight • Strong researcher identity • Has developed a new method that could easily be commercialized • Way out: Establishing a spin-off company with the help of the new business advisor hired by the university Image size 100 x 64 mm Critical sensemaking based on two different career scenarios UEF // University of Eastern Finland Presenter professor Päivi Eriksson ICMC 2017 2. 12. 2020 4
The Worst Career Scenario “The spin-off will go bankrupt and I would stay here [at the university] and continue like this. ” • Has published a lot, brough in considerable funding – yet no quarantee of a tenture track position or any other permanent job • Department unwilling to make a decision on tenure track position until the spin-off is in full operation Image size 68 x 90 mm • Uncertainty about the success of the spin-off success prevails UEF // University of Eastern Finland Presenter professor Päivi Eriksson ICMC 2017 2. 12. 2020 5
The Best Career Scenario ”I would work at the university and lead the spin-off on the side. ” • There is still hope to get a tenure-track position and, eventually, full professorship at the home department • The university business advisor provides support for commercialization - despite some disagreements between the advisor and the scientist UEF // University of Eastern Finland Presenter professor Päivi Eriksson ICMC 2017 2. 12. 2020 6
Findings: Building the in-betweener identity Power issues • Between the scientist and university/department • Between the scientist and business the advisor Positive in-betweener identity • actively challenges what is offered by the university and the department • science and entrepreneurship becomes combined in unconventional ways, which break organizational rules UEF // University of Eastern Finland Presenter professor Päivi Eriksson ICMC 2017 2. 12. 2020 7
Conclusions The case illustrates how • Scientists can develop a positive inbetweener identity with strong agency by challenging what universities offer them in the context of uncertainty • Strong agency of faculty might actually be what entrepreneurial universities should strive for and support? • Strong agency at the heart of academic entrepreneurial action? UEF // University of Eastern Finland Presenter professor Päivi Eriksson ICMC 2017 2. 12. 2020 8
Thank you! Web site: uef. fi/ace Twitter: @ACEproject 16 uef. fi
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