Fixed‐term researchers in the social sciences: passionate investment, yet marginalizing experiences

While there are increasing numbers of fixed‐term researchers internationally, their experiences are relatively under‐examined. As a result, I argue their developmental needs are not well understood and rarely addressed. This study – a cross‐case analysis of social science researchers in two universities in the UK – builds on the few existing studies; it confirms earlier findings that conditions have not substantially changed, yet new themes emerged that create a richer representation of researcher experience. The goal of this article is to sensitize us as an academic development community to the needs of these individuals and ways in which we might engage with them.