Bridging Academia and Industry: Supporting Creative Pracademic Career Sustainability in Higher Education
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| Title: | Bridging Academia and Industry: Supporting Creative Pracademic Career Sustainability in Higher Education |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Emma Lennox (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management. 2026 48(2-3):222-238. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 17 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Higher Education, School Business Relationship, Industry, College Faculty, Career Development, Sustainability, Systems Approach, Faculty Development, Theory Practice Relationship, Career Pathways, Professional Identity, Role Perception, Films, Drama, English, Art, Mass Media |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom (England), United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) |
| DOI: | 10.1080/1360080X.2026.2614796 |
| ISSN: | 1360-080X 1469-9508 |
| Abstract: | This study explores the complex realities of creative pracademics -- individuals occupying both academic and industry roles -- within UK higher education. Drawing on nine interviews across five universities and disciplines, including film, drama, English, art and media, thematic analysis and the Systems Theory Framework reveal the career influences and sustainability challenges they face. Positioned in a liminal space, pracademics play a vital role in bridging theory and practice, yet structural support remains limited. Findings underscore the need for institutional recognition of hybrid careers, sustainable workload models, and alignment between academic and industry values. Without targeted interventions, universities risk losing pracademics, weakening employability outcomes and disciplinary vitality and sustainability. This research advances the sustainable careers discourse by situating pracademics within a broader ecosystem, offering insights into how higher education can better support creative, non-linear career paths, impacting both staff and students. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1505276 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This study explores the complex realities of creative pracademics -- individuals occupying both academic and industry roles -- within UK higher education. Drawing on nine interviews across five universities and disciplines, including film, drama, English, art and media, thematic analysis and the Systems Theory Framework reveal the career influences and sustainability challenges they face. Positioned in a liminal space, pracademics play a vital role in bridging theory and practice, yet structural support remains limited. Findings underscore the need for institutional recognition of hybrid careers, sustainable workload models, and alignment between academic and industry values. Without targeted interventions, universities risk losing pracademics, weakening employability outcomes and disciplinary vitality and sustainability. This research advances the sustainable careers discourse by situating pracademics within a broader ecosystem, offering insights into how higher education can better support creative, non-linear career paths, impacting both staff and students. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1360-080X 1469-9508 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/1360080X.2026.2614796 |
