Conclusions and implications

Abstract

The final chapter of this book seeks to draw conclusion out of the preceding discussion and identify implications for the future development of the position of researchers in academia. An obvious conclusion is the fact that this is a position affected by various forms of job insecurity and status ambiguity, with consequences for both personal and professional development. In addition to demonstrating the challenges that emerge at different stages in a research career, I have also made the point that precarity evolves rather than dissipates with experience, taking on new and arguably harder to manage forms. I view this situation as an inevitable outcome of an over-concentration on the early career stage in funding programmes, resulting in insufficient at opportunities at later levels, resulting in limited prospects for progression within an institution and a compromised capacity to compete for substantial funding awards, to the point of threatening the future of many research units.