Professional Learning and Development of Postdoctoral Scholars: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Increasing numbers of postdoctoral scholars are pursuing diverse career paths that require broad skill sets to ensure success. However, most postdoctoral professional learning and development initiatives are designed for academic careers and rarely include professional skills needed to flourish in nonacademic settings. The purpose of this systematic review was to comprehensively examine and synthesize evidence of professional learning and development pertaining to postdoctoral scholars. The systematic search resulted in 7,571 citations, of which 162 full-text papers were reviewed and 28 studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in this review. This paper synthesizes and classifies studies exploring professional learning and development of postdoctoral scholars. The findings may be used to inform the objectives of professional learning and development initiatives for postdoctoral scholars and contribute to a more rigorous approach to studying professional learning and development.

Professional learning and development framework for postdoctoral scholars

“…Two extensive literature reviews were completed. The first examined and synthesized evidence of postdoc PLD (Nowell et al, 2018). The second synthesized the literature that described current approaches to PLD for postdocs (Nowell et al, 2019).…”

“…Existing PLD opportunities for postdocs may not be robust, but the global need for postdocs to develop skills for various career trajectories is clear (Nowell et al, 2018;Nowell et al, 2019). Rigorous evaluation of the impact of and investment in PLD for postdocs is needed.…”

The Changing Landscape of Graduate Teaching Certificate Programs in Canada

“…A number of studies have identified postdoctoral fellows' desires for opportunities to develop teaching and learning skills (Nowell et al, 2018). Often, professional development opportunities are designed to support research-focused careers, with little thought given to broader professional skills (Mitchell et al, 2013).…”

Postdoctoral scholars’ perspectives about professional learning and development: a concurrent mixed-methods study

“…While emphasis has been placed largely on research skill development, engaging in a range of professional learning and development activities may increase postdocs' knowledge, skills, abilities, and growth while improving their performance in present or future positions (Åkerlind, 2005;Webster-Wright, 2009). In a recently published systematic review, the authors determined professional learning and development positively impacted postdocs' teaching and learning skills, writing and publication skills, and general career skills (Nowell et al, 2018). Other outcomes of engaging in professional learning and development included developing a community of peers with other postdocs, enhancing work-life balance, and purposefully planning for professional learning and development (Nowell et al, 2018).…”

“…In a recently published systematic review, the authors determined professional learning and development positively impacted postdocs' teaching and learning skills, writing and publication skills, and general career skills (Nowell et al, 2018). Other outcomes of engaging in professional learning and development included developing a community of peers with other postdocs, enhancing work-life balance, and purposefully planning for professional learning and development (Nowell et al, 2018). The authors conducted a further literature review and identified common goals for professional learning and development initiatives for postdocs were to develop teaching and learning, mentorship, academic writing, networking, and communication skills (Nowell et al, 2020).…”