The INTERKARM – Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Career Development of Early-Career Researchers project focuses on exploring the complex social, institutional and epistemological factors that shape the professional development of early-career researchers. The project is based on the need for an interdisciplinary approach combining pedagogy, sociology, law and the natural sciences in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by doctoral students and researchers at an early stage of their careers.

The project focuses on analysing existing models of doctoral supervision in Croatia, with particular attention to institutional support, mentoring relationships, gender inequalities, professional stress, and changes in the value-based and epistemic frameworks of science. The project examines how research careers are shaped within the contemporary academic context characterised by internationalisation, competitiveness and increasing pressures for productivity.

Methodologically, the project combines quantitative and qualitative approaches, including surveys, semi-structured interviews, document analysis and participatory research methods. Based on the data collected, a holistic career support model is being developed, encompassing the academic, professional and socio-emotional dimensions of early-career researchers’ development.

Project Objectives

The main objective of the project is to improve the understanding of the career development of early-career researchers in Croatia and to strengthen institutional support models through an interdisciplinary approach.

Within this framework, the project seeks to:

• analyse existing models of doctoral supervision and their effectiveness
• identify the key challenges and needs of doctoral students at different stages of their careers
• examine the role of supervisors and the need to develop supervisory competences
• develop and validate a holistic supervision model that includes academic, professional and psychosocial support
• develop guidelines and educational materials for improving supervisory practices
• investigate the impact of gender inequalities, institutional pressures and the commercialisation of education
• analyse the value-based and social profile of early-career researchers and their epistemic orientations
• encourage interdisciplinary cooperation and the active involvement of early-career researchers in the research process

A particular value of the project lies in involving early-career researchers themselves in the research and dissemination process, as well as in developing recommendations and educational materials aimed at improving doctoral education and supervisory practices. The project seeks to contribute to building a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable academic community, while also strengthening interdisciplinarity and open science.