Early career researchers’ identity threats in the field : the shelter and shadow of collective support
Abstract
Based on an autoethnographic study of early career researchers’ field research experiences, we show how individuals deal with moments of discrimination that present identity threats. This is accomplished through participating in the construction of a shared holding environment to provide emotional shelter and resources for resultant identity work. We show how they collectively develop anticipatory responses to future identity threats and inadvertently how this allows the effects of discrimination to be both unchallenged and amplified. We draw implications for identity work theory, adding to current understandings of identity threats, tensions, and challenges and the dynamics through which these are addressed, avoided, or worked around, as well as the shadow side of such activities. We also offer practical implications about the business schools’ role in nurturing early career researchers’ identity work.
Citation
Callagher , L J , El Sahn , Z , Hibbert , P , Korber , S & Siedlok , F 2021 , ' Early career researchers’ identity threats in the field : the shelter and shadow of collective support ' , Management Learning , vol. Online First . https://doi.org/10.1177/1350507621997738
Publication
Management Learning
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1350-5076Type
Journal article
Collections
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