ABSTRACT

Academics’ career trajectories follow diverse paths, and understanding them is challenging. Animal metaphors, notably the contrast between hedgehogs and foxes, have helped to distinguish patterns but need reappraisal as universities change. Reflecting on prominent sociologists’ careers, the argument is developed that academic trajectories differ according to whether work is blue skies or applied, and how it relates to innovation and consolidation. Four types of academic animals are identified: bears, beavers, jackdaws and eagles. Ann Oakley’s career is used to illustrate how individuals’ trajectories may move between these. For researchers anticipating how their academic futures may unfold, role models framed in these terms offer alternative scenarios.

摘要

学者的职业发展轨迹是多种多样的，理解它们是具有挑战性的。动物的隐喻，尤其是刺猬和狐狸之间的对比，有助于区分模式，但随着大学的变化，需要重新评估。考虑到杰出的社会学家的职业，人们提出了这样的论点，即学术轨迹根据工作是蓝天还是应用以及它与创新和巩固之间的关系而有所不同。确定了四种类型的学术动物：熊，海狸，寒鸦和鹰。安·奥克利（Ann Oakley）的职业生涯用来说明个人的轨迹如何在这些轨迹之间移动。对于预期他们的学术前景如何发展的研究人员，这些术语中的榜样提供了替代方案。