Using an ecological framework to identify what might increase postdoctoral scholars’ sense of belonging in the workplace

Purpose Postdoctoral scholars can experience challenges leading to negative impacts on their personal and professional lives, including low levels of a sense of belonging (Yadav et al. 2020). While researchers have suggested needed improvements for better supporting the postdoctoral scholar workforce (Ålund et al., 2020), few studies have delved into postdoctoral scholars’ views on what would improve their belonging experiences in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to learn more about postdoctoral scholars’ experiences of belonging in the workplace in their own words. Design/methodology/approach The authors investigated postdoctoral scholars’ experiences with belonging through structured interviews and asked participants (n = 30 postdoctoral scholars working in the USA) how their sense of belonging could be increased in their workplace. Using an ecological model as a lens, the authors organize findings at policy, institutional and office/lab unit levels. Findings Postdoctoral scholars identified changes that could be made to increase their sense of belonging in the workplace, invoking a call to action within institutions of higher education and the broader research enterprise. Originality/value While previous research has found significant structural barriers to postdoctoral scholars’ sense of belonging, the research team specifically asked postdoctoral scholars to explain what would increase their sense of belonging.