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Posted March 20, 2012

How do academics choose where they work?

Postgraduate program course searchIf you are considering studying a postgraduate course, the knowledge, reputation and quality of the teaching staff will obviously influence your decision of where to study.

And it seems the reputation of an institution is a major deciding factor on where the academics themselves choose to work.

University reputation is key

How do academics choose where thy work?

According to a recent study carried out by the World 100 Reputation Network, which is an international group of research-intensive universities, university reputation is the most important factor for academics when they are deciding whether to take up a position in an institution in a different country.

To complete this study, called ‘Choice Factors in International Academic Job Change’ over 50 academics from 12 internationally renowned universities were interviewed about their specific job requirements and demands.

The universities that took part in this study included UCL (University College London), University of Helsinki, University of Hong Kong and University of Western Australia, all of which are members of the World 100 Reputation Network.

According to the study, academics define reputation as “a complex amalgam of research excellence rather than brand or public acknowledgement".

Salary and quality of life

Reputation aside, the other important factors for the academics were found to be salary, quality of life and family needs.

Exceptional professors attract exceptional students

Reputation is of paramount importance for the success of universities around the world because that’s what attracts the best professors, and decent well-regarded professors are obviously a key draw for exceptional students.

This is especially true for those students looking for an academic to work closely alongside, for example those postgraduate students applying for a PhD and looking for someone to supervise it.

Therefore, universities need to continue to come top of rankings tables to get the top academics, which will in turn attract the students.

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