Health Scientist as an In-betweener: A Sensemaking Story
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Montonen, Tero. Eriksson, Päivi. Aromaa, Eeva. (2017). Health Scientist as an In-betweener: A Sensemaking Story. Advances in Social Change, Leadership & Organizational Decision Making, 250-256.Rights
Abstract
The research case outlines the sensemaking story of a scientist in the rapidly transforming higher education context. Using critical sensemaking (CSM) as the theoretical approach, the paper elaborates how the scientist gives meaning to the ongoing stream of events and activities, including personal aspirations, expectations and setbacks, which take place at the crossroads of science and entrepreneurship. A narrative interview provides the primary data, which is analyzed with sensemaking analysis, and this data is supported by documents and a field diary. The analysis focuses on the sensemaking process around two career scenarios. The results show how the scientist forges a positive self-identity as an in-betweener who challenges the norms and expectations set forth by the scientist’s university. The study contributes to the discussion on power in sensemaking and to that of scientist identity and agency.