Academics are students too: rethinking our approach

Abstract

This paper suggests structuring academic professional development for early career academics (ECAs) through a 5- phase Academic Lifecycle Model. It places ECAs as learners, arguing for a tailored and targeted approach to support ECAs through each phase of their career trajectory. The paper firstly provides a range of significant arguments as to why the academic development of ECAs merits such attention. A 5- phase Academic Lifecycle Model is proposed, as a possible way forward, and focus for further discussion and debate. The suggested phases are recruitment, commencement, continuation, progression and leadership. It proposes that each stage or phase within the Academic Lifecycle Model be the target for further discussion and research into appropriate life-cycle relevant academic development activities and strategies that can best support an 'ECA as teacher'.