How much space do you have for your personal life when you are pursuing a career in academia? Demands on performance are high and career prospects are often uncertain. Moreover, academics are expected to be flexible, with overtime appearing to be part of the job. These factors make it challenging to combine work with other responsibilities, such as caregiving. By consequence, some academics seek employment in non-academic settings, with academia losing talent as a result. The Young Academy has developed a questionnaire for academics and is examining whether these factors affect some groups more than others, by considering career stages, background (Dutch or non-Dutch), gender, care responsibilities, family situation and other aspects.
Well-balanced perspectives
What research tells us is often influenced by dominant perspectives. One example would be medical treatments based solely on clinical trials involving men. Science and scholarship therefore benefit significantly when backgrounds and perspectives are well balanced. Previous research has shown that structural overtime and the division of care responsibilities can pose barriers to diversity in academia. In this project, The Young Academy aims to gain a better understanding of the perspectives of diverse groups of academics and to work on long-term solutions that will make the academic world more inclusive.
Questionnaire
To examine how work-life dynamics affect different groups in academia, The Young Academy has developed a questionnaire. Any academic who teaches, conducts research or works at a university medical centre is welcome to complete the questionnaire. This study is related to the Akademiethermometer (Academy Thermometer) survey, which examined the mental health of academics. The ‘Who stays, who goes?’ study is seeking additional information as to why people intend to or actually do leave academia. The results will be anonymised and will not be traceable to any specific individual or research group. For privacy reasons, data on small groups will also be excluded from the report.
In addition to the questionnaire, the study will include interviews with people who have recently left a job in academia. These will be conducted in the autumn of 2026.
Start the questionnaire
Findings
The findings of the study will be published in 2027. The report will include recommendations for addressing inequality in academic careers and improving well-being. The Young Academy will also organise a symposium to discuss the findings and explore potential solutions. This event will bring together various groups of academics and policymakers.