Conceptualising professional services researchers as a sustainable career development route in higher education

This paper considers whether engaging in research offers opportunities for professional services staff to develop a sustainable career. It draws on data generated through reflective accounts of the two authors, and supplements this with questionnaire data, and video accounts published on an external website. We found that the career experiences of professional services researchers are deeply shaped by working in the higher education sector, that interest and engagement in research evolves over time, and is shaped by the expectations of the specific profession. Those involved in research saw it as an important part of their professional development, and the combination of research and practice allowed them to find more meaningful work and a firm foundation for future careers in the sector. We suggest that the global higher education sector could benefit from recognising and enabling research as a development activity for professional services and make recommendations for practice.