What is a Pracademic? Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry

What is a Pracademic? Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry

What is a Pracademic?

Not all academics leave research behind when they move beyond the HE. Enter the pracademic: a professional who works at the intersection of academia and practice - whether in policymaking, corporate research, or nonprofit initiatives.

Why Pracademics Matter

Times Higher Education has highlighted the growing number of academics moving into think tanks, government agencies, and consulting firms. These roles allow experts to use their knowledge for direct, real-world impact, while still engaging in research and evidence-based problem-solving.

Opportunities for Hybrid Careers

Many people PhDs don’t realise they can thrive in these hybrid spaces – or that they exisit! Organisations such as the National Coalition of Independent Scholars prove that research can and does exist beyond universities.

Find Your Fit

If you’re passionate about applying your expertise outside academia, a pracademic

career may be ideal. FutureProof provides the tools to map your transferable skills,

while the Alt Ac Careers Network connects you with others building pracademic

pathways.

Takeaway: You don’t have to choose between research and impact—you can do

both by becoming a pracademic.

For more information see the FutureProof Career Accelerator Programme

Looking For Support?

• Subscribe to my Career Development Newsletter and download my Free Coaching Tools pack.

• Get in touch for my free Online Career and Impact Workshops Brochure and Online AI Workshops Brochure get your university to bring me in to deliver AI training or researcher career development, leaving academia well, and research impact workshops!

  
  

• Book a 1:1 Coaching Call and get my bespoke advice and support

  
  

• For more tips join my Alt Ac Careers Facebook Group

  
  

• Connect with me on LinkedIn and grow your network through mine!