The Competition Dilemma: Academia vs. Professional Sports

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This chapter explores the competitive landscape of academic careers, likening it to the rigorous selection faced by professional athletes. The discussion raises questions about whether the stringent standards in academia truly measure teaching and research potential or simply the ability to navigate these challenging selection processes.

For young Chinese academics, the path to tenure is a high-stakes race against the clock. With a fiercely competitive tenure system demanding what's called 'up or out', coupled with recent cuts to permanent teaching positions, the stability of academic careers is under unprecedented threat. How is pressure like this reshaping the lives and futures of emerging scholars in China? On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan