An Evaluation of Academic Training Program (ÖYP) from Professional Socialisation and Identity Perspective

Abstract

Academic identity is significant in terms of taking the responsibilities of professional roles and performing them adequately. Identity formation starts from the early socialisation experiences of graduate students and develops on what they have acquired during this process. Therefore, Academic Training Program is significant for determining the academic identity of future academics. A review of the literature reveals a lack of research that evaluates Academic Training Program (ÖYP), especially from existing faculty’s point of view, with an identity development perspective. This study aims to investigate the Academic Training Program (ÖYP) in the light of academics’ definition of the characteristics of academic profession, with a focus on professional socialisation and identity development. This qualitative, collective instrumental case study was conducted with 24 academics selected through the maximum variation sampling method from two typical Turkish universities. The content analysis of data revealed that the Academic Training Program (ÖYP) has some adverse effects on the professional development of recruits since the program is not fully compatible with the requirements of academic profession.

Keywords: Academic Training Program (ÖYP), academic identity, graduate education, professional socialisation