Academic Research and Employment: Recent Changes in Europe and the United States

Academic research is increasingly carried out on the basis of externally sponsored research projects. This article focuses on the transformative role of new funding mechanisms and its influence on academic work and careers. First, we will outline the increase in externally funded research at higher education institutions in Europe and the United States over the last decades. Second, we will discuss the impact of changes in the funding regime on academic careers and employment conditions, most notably on the postdoctoral phase. We will present criticism of recent developments and conclude with an outline of the corresponding, emerging governance regime in higher education, network governance.