Abstract
Navigating academic career development within South African higher education is a complex and multifaceted journey, shaped by institutional contexts, societal expectations, and individual experiences. The distinctions between traditional universities and Universities of Technology (UOTs) further complicate career progression, particularly in research development. Early-career researchers often face challenges in establishing research identities, while mid-career academics grapple with sustaining productivity and achieving leadership roles. Moreover, gender disparities and institutional cultures significantly impact research engagement and career trajectories, creating an uneven academic landscape. Mentoring emerges as a crucial mechanism for knowledge transfer, bridging the gap between aspiring and established academics. Effective mentorship provides early-career researchers with the guidance needed to navigate research funding, institutional expectations, and career advancement. Supervisors play an instrumental role in shaping research development, influencing career success through structured support and professional networking. This paper explores the role of mentorship in mitigating career progression barriers within South African higher education. By examining factors such as age, gender, motivation for pursuing research, and institutional support structures, it highlights the importance of fostering an inclusive mentoring culture. Implicit biases in job advertisements, institutional policies, and gendered career expectations further underscore the necessity of mentorship as a tool for equity and career development. The discussion positions mentorship as a leadership function that transcends hierarchical relationships, fostering an academic culture where knowledge transfer is embedded within institutional structures. Through an analysis of South African higher education dynamics, this paper advocates for structured mentoring programs that address the unique challenges faced by diverse academic cohorts.
Presenters
Amy Sarah PadayacheeLecturer, Education, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Western Cape, South Africa Samantha Kriger
Lecturer/Researcher, Education, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Organizations as Knowledge Makers
KEYWORDS
Mentorship, Academic Leadership, Knowledge Transfer, South African Higher Education, Career
