Academic developers’ professional identity: a thematic review of the literature

ABSTRACT

This article reviews studies that have addressed academic developers’ professional identity, focusing on the period 1996–2020. Our intention was to evaluate and synthesise the claims made in this body of research in order to inform theory as well as the work in which developers are currently engaged. Thirty-four peer-reviewed papers were included in the review and four themes emerged: migration, liminality, agency, and community. We explore these themes and conclude by discussing how they can help developers make sense of their professional identity and so better understand the fundamental roles and contributions of academic development.

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KEYWORDS:

• Professional identity
• formation
• growth
• academic developers
• academic development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1080/1360144X.2021.2015690

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yoko Mori

Yoko Mori is a doctoral student of Higher Education in the Higher Education Development Centre, University of Otago, New Zealand.

Tony Harland

Tony Harland is Professor of Higher Education in the Higher Education Development Centre, University of Otago, New Zealand.

Navé Wald

Navé Wald is a lecturer at the Higher Education Development Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand. His research focuses on critical thinking in assessment practice, doctoral co-supervision, and students peer review. His teaching interests include supporting those new to research in higher education as well as helping students at all levels to develop their critical skills.