Academic productivity matters: International learning and job acquisition of Chinese PhD returnees

Description

In recent years, the UK and other Western countries have witnessed an influx of international students from East Asian countries, particularly China. Less is known of how these international learning experience affects the returning students’ job acquisition prospects. This study critically examines how overseas doctoral study contributes to the employment of PhD returnees in the academic job market. Drawing on a national survey on government-funded Chinese PhD returnees, this study finds no significant “pure prestige” effect of returnees’ doctoral university, independent of individual merits. Instead, pre-employment academic productivity plays an important role in determining PhD returnees’ job placement in a top university in China. This research not only fills the research gap in the international student mobility of PhD level, but also shows the significance of talent mobility and international learning affecting PhD returnees’ career development.

Period	7 Jul 2020
Event title	CGHE 2020 Annual Conference webinar: Graduates and graduateness
Event type	Conference
Degree of Recognition	International