This chapter examines the pressures and challenges faced by academics in China as they navigate the path to tenure amid increasing competition and evolving institutional policies. It traces the historical shifts in job security from guaranteed lifetime positions to today's selective hiring practices, emphasizing the impact of recent reforms on faculty roles. As the number of tenure-track positions diminishes and reliance on external funding grows, the academic landscape becomes increasingly precarious for young scholars.
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