Should there be a Predoctoral Researcher cadre?

Paul A. Iji

There is so much to talk about but little time.? As I complete my sixth year in Fiji, I have become more fascinated with the differences in opportunities in the Global South relative to the Global North.? I created a seminar series one year ago to hear from the research champions of Global South although the series is not yet running smoothly.? I did not intend for speakers to originate from the Global South only but it is open to researchers who have experienced conducting research in the Global South, regardless of their origin.? I am also not oblivious to the fact that the Global South is no longer as politically cohesive as it was in the Cold War era.? Perhaps, it should work together in other areas such as education.? The technological lines are closing but still very visible, so the differences in research opportunities are not going anywhere soon.

In the militarized (hierarchical) world of academics, the ranks will always be there.? Although the lower levels may be ranked in different ways between countries, there seems to be some unanimity that the Professor is the highest rank in academia.? I am well aware that some countries have a senior professorial ranking, after the full professorship.? Then, of course, we respect our Emeriti, the retired professors, who created so much knowledge in their active time, and some never really retire.?

Outside the normal academic ranking, we have another classification for research-active academics.? The most prominent group is the early-career researchers (ECR).? It is generally agreed that researchers are ECR within the first five years of obtaining the PhD.? This unwritten rule will fit very well with many researchers in the Global North but does it fit in the Global South?? Are the age and overall experience of the researcher of any importance in being called an ECR? Typically, many students around the world would head to university for their first degree when they are 16-19 years old, depending on the national education system.? The first degree is a batch programme and most people within the same country would graduate at the same age.?

The situation changes drastically after the first degree.? In the Global South, most first-degree graduates will head into the workforce or spend a long time searching for financial support for postgraduate studies.? It is also becoming common in the Global North for first-degree graduates to head into the industry as more graduates shun unpredictable academic jobs.? The latter is a story for another day.? The reality is that many researchers in the Global South could be well past their 30s by the time they complete their studies for PhD or Master’s.? Many of them engage in research with a Master’s or even Bachelor's qualification while waiting for opportunities to do their PhD.? Many such researchers could become quite effective where facilities are good and with good mentoring support.? Can we continue to call them ECR?? I do not think that would be right as ECR tends to connote younger researchers who are typically within a few years after a PhD.

I think we need to create a new cadre of researchers – the Predoctoral Researcher (PDR).? The beauty of this nomenclature is that there is no obvious reference to age or experience.? If a researcher has not yet obtained a PhD, then s/he is a PDR.? That way, we can leave room for young postdocs to claim the ECR cadre.? Would this create some confusion with postdoctoral fellows?? I do not think so because that cadre are not called postdoctoral researchers but postdoctoral fellows (PDF), and most of them are rightly ECRs.

I would like to get the views of academia on this designation.? I believe that it would give more respect to some of our older colleagues who do not yet hold a PhD but are quite effective in research.

We also need to be aware that not every academic is interested in doing research and need to respect that decision.? Although research is an effective tool for creating new knowledge, academics should be allowed to choose pathways in which they are most comfortable.? Most universities already recognize academics for their teaching achievements (teaching-only) while others reward them for their research achievements.? Some universities take the middle road of research and teaching.? At Fiji National University, we recognize academics for teaching plus research (TR) or for teaching, scholarship and professional practice (TSPP).? There are logic and benefits of the different pathways but that is a story for another day.

Prof Paul A. Iji – Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Fiji National University; Author of Writing and publishing your research (hard and Kindle editions) and A guide for young Africans growing up overseas. CreateSpace/Amazon. The views expressed here are those of the Author and do not reflect the views of his employers.