Exploring career concerns and opportunities for UK-based early career researchers working in the field of eating disorders: Delphi study

Background

Although there
may be common challenges and opportunities for early career researchers
(ECRs), those working in the field of eating disorders may face unique
barriers and require tailored support.

Aims

The current study sought to explore consensus on career concerns and opportunities in eating disorder ECRs.

Method

A
three-stage Delphi model was conducted. Round 1 involved participants
rating career concern and opportunity statements, with free-text
responses. Researchers then generated a list of Delphi statements, which
were shared in round 2, and participants were asked to indicate their
level of agreement. A final round was shared, with median ratings from
round 2 and the option to change or further expand on responses. Final
consensus was calculated as percentage agreement.

Results

Career
concerns reaching consensus included timeline pressures, personal
sacrifices for roles, unclear career trajectories, job insecurity,
funding concerns, fears of being pushed out of the field and pressures
to publish. There was no consensus on a range of other concerns
(work/life balance, isolation, mental health and well-being and power
imbalances), suggestive of context-dependent experiences. Participants
agreed that almost all the presented career opportunities were of
importance to eating disorder ECRs.

Conclusions

Findings
suggest that eating disorder ECRs face significant barriers toward
remaining in the field. Although many concerns reflect broader ECR
experience (limited research funding, associated job insecurity), some
appear to be particularly exacerbated for ECRs working in the eating
disorder field. Further research is needed to inform directions for
tailored support strategies, such as peer support, mentoring schemes and
increased funding from governing bodies.