Working abroad as an academic—opportunities?

[theferry]

I’m in the Humanities at a university that is on the verge of a financial collapse. There are no jobs to be had nationwide. I literally haven’t seen a job at my level in my subject area for a good few years.

I’m considering leaving the country for work elsewhere. Can anyone suggest places that have better working conditions for academics, especially places that actually celebrate the value of the Humanities ? Do such places exist?

I have a few friends who have ended up in Australia. Another couple who went to Norway. The only place I wouldn’t consider is the USA (although
easy access to the US would be good as it’s my research focus). I have two DC who are university/secondary school level so probability couldn’t move immediately, but we’ll be finished with their education in a few years. Nothing else keeping us in the UK.

Tough times, but I've been overhearing similar conversations... I know many Australian unis are struggling, so would be surprised if they are recruiting. Someone recently mentioned universities in the Middle East, and I also know someone who recently got a job in Japan. But no idea re humanities, I'm afraid.

I'm not sure anywhere is great right now. New Zealand has just announced it's cutting funding for humanities and social science research. The various Nordic countries, Netherlands are all talking about or implementing funding cuts too, often aimed at SSH subjects.

Other than, from my own experience of moving from the UK to Scandinavia I'd say there is significant variation between universities. There are some that are very keen to hire international academics, while others are still much more likely to hire their own PhD grads and place a big emphasis on being able to teach in the local language.

China is always hiring, but that may not be your cup of tea It is rough out there for sure, OP

Yes, I don’t think I could live there.

We looked into this when dd was younger and a major factor was her future eligibility for home uni fees vs having to pay international fees. I would look into that - as they need to fulfil residency requirements to qualify for home fees. We were looking at Asia (south and East, e.g. Singapore, Tokyo).

True—I hadn’t about that.

Ireland - pay is much better and they don't have REF!

I think it depends on your subject but if I had been younger when I finished my Ph D I would definitely have applied for posts in America. Don’t consider china - all departments are controlled by the Communist Party.

I had a tenured job in the States. Be careful for what you wish for. The job paid well, sure, but there are elements of American culture that take some getting used to (and I’m an American).

Yes, posts are controlled by the Communist party. On the other hand, Chinese universities have grown in excellence by leaps and bounds…they sent promising students to the USA and UK for decades to learn from us. But it isn’t for everyone for sure.

I just spent a couple of months in a Nordic country and while I loved it, it seemed they were starting to go down a similar route to the UK with less funds, amalgamated departments etc. I would still move out there but it's not as amazing as it was.

A job has just been advertised at Limerick, but it’s for a chair and I think I’m realistically not at that level yet.

My impression is that the humanities (or at least my bit of them) are still more valued in Europe. I was treated like a queen in the Czech Republic earlier this year!