Introduction to academic careers
An academic career generally consists of three key elements:
- Teaching: You will educate the next generation of dental professionals, from undergraduate students to postgraduate specialists
- Research: You will focus on advancing dental knowledge through scientific investigation and clinical trials
- Scholarship: You will engage in activities that further the understanding or teaching of the discipline of dentistry. Scholarship represents a wide range of activities such as developing curricula, writing teaching materials, engaging in educational research, and innovating in dental techniques, materials, or educational practices.
You can pursue each of these academic sub-careers individually or in combination, depending on your interests and career goals. Contracts in academic dentistry careers can vary widely, reflecting the diverse nature of these roles.
Some positions may focus primarily on one element, such as a dedicated research fellowship or a teaching-intensive lectureship. However, many academic posts combine two or all three elements, allowing you to engage in a multifaceted career. These blended roles often provide you with the opportunity to integrate your research findings into teaching, apply your scholarly insights to clinical practice, and use your clinical experiences to inform research questions.