Performing Early Careerism Differently in Academia: Voices from the Field

Starting an academic career has long been scripted around invisible rules dictating what 'success' should look like. This narrow view of an academic career is sustained by structures that reward discipline performance while disadvantages those who refuse to 'play the game.' This panel symposium moves beyond anecdotes of imposter syndrome and narratives of angst toward dialogue that contests the institutional templates shaping early career academia. Drawing on insights from co-authors of a forthcoming edited volume, Starting Academic Differently, our panel features the contributions of nine scholars who have each started academia in unconventional ways. Our panel will collectively share the diverse and viable ways in starting and sustain fulfilling academic careers through an exploration of identity work, precarity, and navigating increasingly competitive environments.