Transitioning beyond Academia
Engagement and disengagement experiences of Hass PhD holders
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4966422 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Marina García-Morante (0000-0002-6492-2691, University Ramon LlullFPCEE-Blanquerna, corresponding author), Laura Sundström (0009-0006-7547-2581, University of Helsinki), Kirsi Pyhältö (0000-0002-8766-0559, University of Helsinki), Montserrat Castelló (0000-0003-1757-9795, University Ramon LlullFPCEE-Blanquerna) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 1-16 |
| Publication date | 2025-02-20 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Studies in Higher Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0307-5079 • E-ISSN: 1470-174X |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/03075079.2025.2468849 |
| OpenAlex | W4407830684 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 35 |
PhD holders are increasingly exploring careers beyond academia, yet, little is understood about their transition experiences, particularly in the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) disciplines. While research suggests that these transitions are both challenging and satisfactory, there is limited knowledge about the specific engagement (e.g. feeling absorbed) and disengagement (e.g. experiencing detachment) experiences during these transitions, as well as the career factors influencing them. This study aimed to explore the engagement and disengagement experiences of 20 HASS PhD holders from Spain and Finland who transitioned beyond academia. Specifically, we examined how working conditions, personal values, and professional support interacted with these experiences. Interviews were conducted and analysed using an inductive-deductive content analysis approach. Our findings revealed two primary career trajectories: non-academic and hybrid careers. HASS PhD holders described low levels of engagement with academia, while a pronounced engagement was observed towards hybrid careers. Our results showed that work environment and personal values being relevant besides the well-known job stability and work-life balance factors among engagement experiences. Furthermore, results showed the interplay between diverse career factors, revealing misalignments between PhD careers and support mechanisms. Overall, the study underscores the complex interactions between working conditions, personal values, and professional support within engagement and disengagement experiences, highlighting the need for tailored support systems to facilitate sustainable research careers beyond academia
Disengagement theory · Higher education · Pedagogy · Political science · Sociology · Student engagement · Diversity and Career in Medicine · Doctoral Education Challenges and Solutions · Higher Education and Employability · Psychology · Gerontology
Social support and health
Early predictors of job burnout and engagement.
Towards a model of work engagement
The Measurement of Engagement and Burnout
Theoretical, practical and hybrid ex-academics
Factors influencing PhD students’ intentions to pursue careers in the government and nonprofit sectors
PhD holders’ working conditions and job satisfaction in Spain
PhD holders at the boundaries and knowledge brokering
How does obtaining a permanent employment contract affect the job satisfaction of doctoral graduates inside and outside academia
Hass PhD graduate careers and knowledge transfer
Stories of moving on Hass PhD graduates’ motivations and career trajectories inside and beyond academia
Doctoral graduates' transition to industry
PhD holders entering non-academic workplaces
Precarious careers
Flying the nest
The function of social support in engaging and disengaging experiences among post PhD researchers in STEM disciplines
| Citations per year | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |