Personal factors in the career development of early career researchers in Kenya and implications for models of mentoring practice

Abstract This qualitative study responds to recent calls for decolonisation of research agendas and explores some personal factors impacting the development of research careers in an under-researched context of Africa, more specifically Kenya. Personal factors as well as academic careers are dependent on cultural and institutional contexts, hence findings from studies conducted in Western context cannot be considered fully relevant to inform mentoring practices in Africa. The experience of eighteen Kenyan nationals with PhD degrees was explored retrospectively using semi-structured interviews, followed by thematic analysis. Results point to new perspectives on development of early career researchers (ECRs) in Kenyan context, which differ from those known from studies in the Western contexts. The findings indicate the role of spirituality and faith in bolstering personal agency. It underpins ECR’s resilience as well as decision making. Furthermore, commitment to the service of community and wider Kenyan society has been identified as a strong driving factor in shaping career and research identity. Holistic mentoring emerges as a crucial factor in development of ECRs in the Kenyan context. A novel conceptual model of ECR development capturing the above-mentioned influences is presented and recommendations are made for a practical framework for mentoring of ECRs in Kenya.