Abstract:

Based on survey data from a sample of young scholars in several universities in Shanghai, this study investigates the objective and subjective socioeconomic status of young scholars from a perspective of social stratification and sociology of science. Firstly, there is significant differentiation among young scholars in terms of their objective prestige status, and especially in their subjective status identity. Secondly, the prestige status of young scholars is significantly influenced by factors such as age, gender, motivation for work, and the university where they obtained their doctoral degree. However, the influence of family background is not significant. This shows that the prestige status in an academic community is relatively open. Thirdly, the current and future status identity of young scholars is shaped by the three classic dimensions of social status, that is, wealth, power, and prestige. Revealing the influence mechanism of subjective and objective social status of young scholars, these conclusions can be instructive for optimizing talent policy.

Key words: young scholars, prestige, social status identity, sociology of science