Publish, perish, or pursue? Early career academics’ perspectives on demands for research productivity in regional universities

The publish or perish adage is alive and well for early career academics (ECAs), who are under increasing pressure from higher education institutions for improved research performance. This paper explores the way in which ECAs respond to the managerial imperatives of one Australian regional university; specifically, a meta-reflexive lens was used to examine narrative data from ECAs to determine how institutional performance measures influence their participation in research teams. Three main themes were identified in the data: The ‘pull’ of institutional priorities, ‘Getting a leg up’ through teamwork, and Finding a way forward in personal values. ECAs responded to managerial imperatives through compliance and showed awareness of the importance of collaboration with established researchers in furthering their own personal career interests. At the same time, the data also reveal that ECAs working at this regional Australian university refused to compromise on the educational and research contributions they could make to their disciplines and the cultural capital of their local communities. This latter pursuit of autonomy provided these academics with personal satisfaction and a sense of academic integrity in relation to conducting research with impact while simultaneously meeting performance targets aimed at raising the reputation of their institution.