Search

Recent data highlights the presence of luck in research grant allocations, where most vulnerable are early-career researchers. The national research funding contributes typically the greatest share of total research funding in a given country, fulfilling simultaneously the roles of promoting excellence in science, and most importantly, development of the careers of young generation of scientists. Yet, there is limited supply of studies that have investigated how do early-career researchers stand compared to advanced-career level researchers in case of a national research grant system. We analyzed the Estonian national highly competitive research grant funding across different fields of research for a ten-year-period between 2013–2022, including all the awarded grants for this period (845 grants, 658 individual principal investigators, PI). The analysis was conducted separately for early-career and advanced-career researchers. We aimed to investigate how the age, scientific productivity and the previous grant success of the PI vary across a national research system, by comparing early- and advanced-career researchers. The annual grant success rates varied between 14% and 28%, and within the discipline the success rate fluctuated across years even between 0–67%. The year-to-year fluctuations in grant success were stronger for early-career researchers. The study highlights how the seniority does not automatically deliver better research performance, at some fields, younger PIs outperform older cohorts. Also, as the size of the available annual grants fluctuates remarkably, early-career researchers are most vulnerable as they can apply for the starting grant only within a limited "time window". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S1 Dataset is incorrect. Please view the correct S1 Dataset below.Supporting informationS1 Dataset(XLSX)By Eneli Kindsiko; Kärt Rõigas and Ülo NiinemetsReported by Author; Author; Author [Extracted from the article]

There is a considerable shortage of females interested in becoming ICT specialists, and the roots of this disinterest can be traced back to the schooling. A sample of 291 high school seniors from 5 different schools in Estonia were surveyed about their future study choices and perceived influences on those choices. The findings indicate that there is a crucial need to systematically upgrade the level of obligatory computer classes (pedagogical lag), as the classroom experience is a key factor that shapes career-related decisions among young women. We claim that merely offering one-off initiatives (computer camps and summer schools) is not enough, but obligatory computer classes should keep pace with ICT developments in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In urban geography research there is a small supply of articles which reflect upon the aims and motives of entrepreneurs when they enter neighbourhoods that are undergoing a process of gentrification. The aim of this paper is to better understand the explanatory factors behind the timing of entrepreneurial changes that take place during the commercial gentrification process in Tallinn's post‐industrial neighbourhoods. Based on thirty in‐depth interviews, we propose an explanation from the supply perspective that highlights the dynamics behind motivation‐based influences. By modifying the diffusion of the innovation theory developed by Rogers we are able to show how, during the different phases of the process, groups of pioneers, early adopters, the early and late majority, and laggards enter a neighbourhood that is being gentrified by varying objectives, and associate the dynamics behind the process with the follower effect that is being shaped by knowledge diffusion, a specific market niche, and physical co‐location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the resources that countries invest in training people at doctorate level we can easily claim that PhDs are among the most invested 'brains' in each country. Yet what is missing from the discussion is what happens with their career after they gain their PhD. Based on two studies we reveal the job-related movements (career) of PhDs from Estonia. The results signpost a great share of heterogeneity across research fields - a diversity that has considerable effect on how universities can manage their academic workforce and their career, but also, factors that shape movements between the academic and non-academic labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]