Tainted love: the trials and tribulations of a career in animal studies

Developing an academic career can be exciting, rewarding and stimulating. It can also be challenging, disheartening and highly insecure. Results from a survey of Animal Studies scholars identifies reasons why pursuing an academic career in Animal Studies might generate additional challenges, over and above those experienced by academics generally. For example, 44 per cent of respondents stated that in their view undertaking research in Animal Studies ‘creates challenges for an academic career’. This is compared to just 16 per cent who thought that it is an advantage. Yet despite the challenges, there is much that is positive about an Animal Studies career. Participants describe being in ‘dialogue with clever colleagues’, view their work as ‘totally engaging’ and report feeling ‘morally useful’. This in turn affords Animal Studies scholars an authenticity that may be of long-term benefit in the competitive and constantly transforming world of academic employment.