Paper short abstract:

The aim is to problematize strategies among mobile returning researchers between European academe. We discuss the researchers learning process in work-life when transitioning within Europe and between different continents and back. The data consists of 60 interviews with Swedish researchers.

Paper long abstract:

The aim with our paper is to problematize strategies among mobile returning researchers between European academe. We discuss how the researchers problematize the learning process in work-life when transitioning within Europe and between different continents and back. The data-set consists of 60 interviews with Swedish researchers. What types of knowledge and skills are recognized and valued in daily work in the different European environments, e.g. upon return from a post-doc or conferences? How is this process affected by disciplinary traditions, academic position, gender, age, class- and ethnic background? We will apply thematic narrative analysis, and theoretical concepts of thought collective, thought style, symbolic capital and knowledge. The use of comparison as method is an analytical tool. Comparison is a way to make sense of reality, e.g. by contrasting places, “cultures” or practices. It may present different degrees of something, or create a dichotomy, and imply a hierarchy of values in the process of re/configurations of migration. At the same time, the informants reflects on mobility as a practice to understand and challenge rankings and academic power relations, where mobility and a lack of thereof, can be interpreted both as a survival strategy as well as a negotiation of power, resistance, and research politics.