At the recent SMMSN PGR Conference, PhD researcher and PERG member Emily Cleland from the Institute of Applied Health Sciences, presented an overview of her research examining how technological change is redefining professional identities in higher education and creating new opportunities for identity development. The research investigates how staff and students navigate questions of “who am I?” and “what do I do?” as new technologies transform academic roles, relationships, and practices.
Delivered through three interconnected workstreams - a scoping review, an AI focused case study and a Q methodology study - the project will explore how universities can best support professional identity development in digitally evolving environments.
The hybrid conference format provided an excellent opportunity to present this work to a wide and diverse audience of researchers, staff, and students, both in person and online. Engaging in discussion and responding to insightful questions offered a valuable chance to refine ideas and reflect on the broader implications of the research. The event also highlighted the breadth and depth of PhD research across SMMSN, showcasing the innovation and impact of the postgraduate research community.
The first publication from Emily’s project is currently in development and expected to be available soon (see https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/VT5WB for the scoping review protocol).