Academic developers’ professional identity: a thematic review of the literature

Abstract

This article reviews studies that have addressed academic developers’ professional identity, focusing on the period 1996–2020. Our intention was to evaluate and synthesise the claims made in this body of research in order to inform theory as well as the work in which developers are currently engaged. Thirty-four peer-reviewed papers were included in the review and four themes emerged: migration, liminality, agency, and community. We explore these themes and conclude by discussing how they can help developers make sense of their professional identity and so better understand the fundamental roles and contributions of academic development.