How to support unaffiliated researchers: Opinion

Scholars who are working as faculty members at a university should use their privilege to support “independent” researchers who may struggle without institutional support, writes Annie Berke. Between an overproduction of PhDs and the disappearance of secure academic jobs, the author writes that many intellectuals opt to become “freelance” or “independent” researchers. Berke encourages faculty members to use their university channels to boost unaffiliated scholars’ work; find ways to share paywalled scholarship with them; cite, review, and purchase their work; and offer them academic perks such as speaking gigs or an invitation to a work group. Finally, Berke recommends that the term “independent scholar” be retired, as all intellectuals are dependent on one another. Chronicle of Higher Ed (Acct. Req.) Note: Archived stories may contain dead links or be missing source links.