School of Social and Political Science

Description

Title: Academics retiring, scunnered or otherwise

Abstract:

This presentation reports on findings from a mixed-methods study of later academic careers and retirement conducted in 2020-21, funded by the Leverhulme Trust. The study involved both surveys and interviews of later-career and retired UK-based academics, together with analysis of obituaries and of universities’ staffing policies relating to retirement. The analysis of the data was framed around answering four questions: What does ‘retirement’ mean, and what does it look like? Is there a right time to retire? How do academic identities evolve? and, What support do universities provide? The findings suggest that, in between those who never retire and those who make a clean break from academia, it is far more common for academics to seek a new work-life balance involving both change and continuity.

Note: the seminar by Anders Vassenden originally scheduled for this date has been postponed until Semester 2.

The Edinburgh Sociology Seminar Series is a weekly series convened by Dr Christopher Barrie. Seminars take the format of a 45-60 minute research talk followed by 30-45 minute Q&A. We look forward to welcoming you there!