Empowering Early-Career Researchers: Building the Next Generation of Clinician-Scientists
Keywords:
Early-Career Researchers, Medical Research, Dental Research, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Open Access Publishing, Research Ethics, Academic MentorshipAbstract
This editorial highlights the critical need to support early-career researchers (ECRs) in the medical and dental fields by addressing common barriers such as limited access to mentorship, funding, and publication opportunities. It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical scholarship, and open-access publishing in nurturing a globally inclusive research environment. The role of Insights – Journal of Medical and Dental Research (IJMDR) is underscored as a platform committed to fostering innovation, academic integrity, and professional growth for emerging clinician-scientists. The editorial concludes with a strong call to action to the academic and clinical community to invest in and uplift the next generation of researchers.
References
1. Robinson-Hamm J, Kale V, Raetzman L, Block K, Cole C, Fester D, et al. Early Career Representative Engagement Task Force: Final Report and Recommendations. 2023.
2. Burke AB. Developing a research career. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics. 2021;33(4):457-65.
3. Færgeman NJ, Christiansen TS, Repasky G. Empowering early career researchers: academy-driven pathways to excellence. Nature Reviews Endocrinology. 2025:1-2.
4. Lohmann P, Duerinck J, van der Meulen M, Mitrea D, Short S, Geurts M. Empowering the next generation in neuro-oncology: Introduction of the EANO Career Boost Initiative. Neuro-Oncology Advances. 2024;6(1):vdae167.
5. Farhat K, Obradovic A, Siebert A, Tun HN, Noch EK, Kwan JM. Evaluating factors impacting early career physician-scientists’ decisions to continue research careers in the United States of America. BMC medical education. 2025;25(1):564.
6. Forsha D, Eidem BW. The Pivotal Role of ASE in Promoting Early Career Clinician Scientists. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. 2023;36(11):A13.
7. National Academies of Sciences E, Medicine, editors. Trends in the Pediatric Physician–Scientist Workforce. The Future Pediatric Subspecialty Physician Workforce: Meeting the Needs of Infants, Children, and Adolescents; 2023: National Academies Press (US).
