Africa Special Report: Focus on Postdoctoral Fellowships
SOUTH AFRICA-AFRICA
Polemic over postdoc system signals the need for some changes
The role of postdoctoral fellowship programmes to strengthen research ecosystems has been captured over the past few months. Although focused on South Africa, these articles in University World News Africa signalled the need for changes that may benefit postgraduate education across Africa. Rhodes University’s response has added to the conversation.
Rhodes University in South Africa has developed a Comprehensive Postdoctoral Development Framework. Championed by Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi, the deputy vice-chancellor of research, innovation and strategic partnerships, the framework aims to ensure postdoc fellowships that are empowering and to curate the development of critical research skills.
PhD graduates with disabilities have to overcome more hurdles if they want to pursue posdoctoral fellowships. Without concessions for disabled doctoral graduates to support their access to these opportunities, they will remain excluded, which will also affect the equity and inclusion of disabled academics in the higher education sector.
Postdocs should picture themselves as the passengers on a midnight train. The train is en route to its final destination where the track comes to an end. This last stop represents the end of the line for the postdoc academic journey. What is next?
Framing postdocs as a unique professional opportunity that bridges the gap between PhD study and full academic employment risks glossing over structural and systemic concerns that many students have consistently raised. Some of these fault lines have to be engaged in openly.
Rhodes University in South Africa has developed a Comprehensive Postdoctoral Development Framework. Championed by Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi, the deputy vice-chancellor of research, innovation and strategic partnerships, the framework aims to ensure postdoc fellowships that are empowering and to curate the development of critical research skills.
PhD graduates with disabilities have to overcome more hurdles if they want to pursue posdoctoral fellowships. Without concessions for disabled doctoral graduates to support their access to these opportunities, they will remain excluded, which will also affect the equity and inclusion of disabled academics in the higher education sector.
Postdocs should picture themselves as the passengers on a midnight train. The train is en route to its final destination where the track comes to an end. This last stop represents the end of the line for the postdoc academic journey. What is next?
Framing postdocs as a unique professional opportunity that bridges the gap between PhD study and full academic employment risks glossing over structural and systemic concerns that many students have consistently raised. Some of these fault lines have to be engaged in openly.