The Israel Young Academy has published the results of its landmark 2023 survey examining the needs and challenges facing early-career academics across the country. This third iteration of the survey targeted senior staff members who began tenure-track positions within the past decade at Israel's research universities.

 

The comprehensive study aimed to capture the academic experiences of early-career Israeli researchers, identify strengths and weaknesses in university hiring and absorption processes, and develop recommendations for addressing key challenges. The survey covered diverse topics including promotion and tenure processes, mentoring, research funding, teaching, research infrastructure, discrimination, sexual harassment, gender and disciplinary gaps, and pandemic impacts.

 

Notably, between the survey's distribution and the publication of its findings, Israel faced significant national challenges, including controversies surrounding proposed legal system reforms and the outbreak of the "Swords of Iron" war following the October 7 attack. While the survey could not address these events directly, several findings have gained additional relevance in light of these developments, particularly regarding international academic collaboration. The findings highlight concerns about potential isolation of Israeli universities from the global academic community.