Early career experiences of engaging with practice…from square one

The first thing to say is that this post is written by an academic with a little under three years’ experience in the field. Also, the post is intended (obviously) to provoke debate, but is not intended to set out good and bad points or dos and don’ts. It’s just my own experiences which hopefully other particularly early career colleagues can relate to and might feel like joining the conversation.  In fact, it’s almost like filling in my own report card, thinking about how I am doing. Engaging with practice (not just in terms of Impact) has been something which has always been in the debate ever since I joined the profession, and I have been reflecting lately on how I go about this. Sometimes, for example (and fairly obviously I am not referring to any organisations in particular or by name, these are just general thoughts about my own contributions) I am invited to attend debates or other events. I suppose I could be accused of being just a bit too optimistic at times (!) but I always enjoy these events.  Friends from back home or from other professions who might be reading this, yes the lunches are free, but yes you are expected to do some work as well….I suppose one of the things I have found challenging is knowing when to contribute to debates, especially if there is a big name in the room. But I suppose this leads me on to the first of my main reflections (again, as someone once said, just a bit of fun, just a bit of fun).

Superstars are kinder than you think! Across both the academic world and in practice, I have met a few world famous names who I have been quoting since I was an undergraduate peering out of the library window ten summers ago (actually, that’s a bit romanticised…I was probably queuing up for the photocopier). In my own experience well-known names from the Academy and from practice fields have been keen to hear about my ideas and though my colleagues would find it hard to believe, there have been moments when I was scared to suggest things in debate. The advice I have been given from some huge names is great, and it’s really encouraging to get involved in the discussion. This is something I am still learning (like all of it really) and getting better at, but I have found it easier to say hi- sometimes you even end up convening a national conference because of those conversations!

My second reflection is that most practitioners I have worked with are really interested in the theoretical ideas we as academics engage with- this might sound really obvious, but some of the debates around how we communicate ideas seem to get very worked up about the vocabulary we use! Yes, I agree we should strive to express complex ideas simply, to students, colleagues and to practitioners. And to be fair I haven’t seen many academics use a lot of long words needlessly. But is this really different from the task that confronts a CEO or a Government Minister when they need to get a highly complicated idea across? My point is that we should communicate ideas simply and effectively, but we shouldn't leave out any of the theoretical substance behind these ideas in order to do so. Many practitioners I have worked with have been keen to unpick the nuances of philosophies and relate them to their own task. This has been one of the most fun aspects of these events!

I suppose the third and final reflection I would give as an ECR talking about engaging with practice is (and this might have crossed one or two readers’ minds already as they look over my ideas…) it’s important to have confidence in your own ideas. Yes, be polite and respectful of course, but if you have been invited to a discussion because of your expertise in a research area, remember the value of that, not just to the debate on the day, but to the wider dissemination of research and how vital that is. Of course, it’s important not to swagger in and attempt to shoot down all other arguments without breaking sweat, that doesn't impress anyone, and the other attendees will probably be familiar with Copernicus and therefore will know you are not the centre of the Earth! But do remember that you have something important to contribute, and that the other people in the room would probably like to hear it! It’s a great feeling to be invited to work with the practice element of your research area. Next week I will blog about my experiences of being an ECR more broadly. I missed out on joining in the Dr Who debate after all!

reflecting on a year of success and conversations on research

The Faculty of Business looks back on an innovative and successful year of research events in 2012/13 across its research centres as part of our research centres’ seminar series and book launches. We were proud to host speakers from such universities as Bristol, Cardiff and Glamorgan as well as speakers from practice organisations.  Each event was well attended by colleagues here at Plymouth from a range of disciplines, as well as by local media and colleagues from other academic institutions such as the University of Exeter. We have developed and updated Faculty research web presence, as well as expanding our use of new social media, linked to the above events. These projects have been driven by the REF 2014 Environment criteria. Such is the success of this work to date that members of the Faculty were invited to a conference at Plymouth University to present our model of research web presence. We are also the first Faculty in the University to have its own dedicated Twitterfeed to profile the research and impact activities of its staff and has already amassed over 100 followers, with other areas of the University already looking to echo elements of this good practice, such as the Conversations on Research book launch series, towards the next REF in 2020.

 

Nobel Prize Winner Speaks on the Social and Ecological Value of Forests at Plymouth 19th November

What do Canadians think about the Ecological and Social Value of Forests?

Professor Peter Duinker, Dalhousie University, Canada
19th November, 6:30pm, Devonport Lecture Theatre, Portland Square
Wine and networking to precede and follow the lecture
Nobel Prize Winner Speaks on the Social and Ecological Value of Forests
Professor Peter Duinker of Dalhousie University is Professor in the School for Resource and Environmental studies. He has recently held the posts of Director of the School and Associate Dean Research for the Faculty. Peter has worked with Regional Municipalities in preparing the first ever urban forest master plan, as well as a campus tree plan at Dalhousie, and government, NGO, community an industry actors, in investigating policy and management best practice in sustainability and urban forests. Peter is also engaged in investigating best management practices for maintaining water flows in treed wetlands when new roads are built through them. Peter's research interests focus on the social and ecological aspects of urban forests, along with development of management and policy systems for sustainable urban forests.

ISSR and SLGP are pleased to invite you to this important event, which will generate connections and inform an academic and practitioner audience of best practice in the Canadian context of urban forest management, policy and sustainability strategy. The recent policy debates around governance of forest areas in the UK highlight the need for collaborative working and sharing best practice in this area, so we would be delighted to invite you to join us for an informative talk and some inspiring debate!
To register for this event please click here
 http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/dynamic.asp?page=events&eventID=7241&showEvent=1

PAC 2012- Thanks

On Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th July, the Annual Conference of the Public Administration Committee (PAC) came to Plymouth University. The event was attended by colleagues from across the academic profession, from the UK and abroad, as well as many practitioners in the field. Extending our thanks to PAC and particularly it's Chair Professor Joyce Liddle in being so enthusiastic on the conference coming here, I am happy to report that the event was a great success!! Some really fantastic feedback has been received since the event from delegates, so thank you! Also massive thanks as ever to Sage, Emerald and Routledge for their amazing support.

The key themes of Sustainability, Regionalism and Devolution, Teaching Public Administration and Emergency Services and Praxis were keenly debated at each session, with several collaborations and future work, between both academics and practitioners, looking likely to continue and expand into the future. Indeed, some of these debates could have carried long into the night!

These were inspiring debates and were also driven by the excellent guest speakers at the event- our huge thanks to Paul Marshall, Chief Exec of ABS, for his discussion of the future of Business Schools and how this relates to policy; to Denis Byrne, who brought a wealth of experience from roles in the Irish government and the European level to the Frank Stacey memorial lecture, and to Bill Rammell, former Labour Minister of State and DVC at Plymouth, for his insights into the world of government.

Finally, my own heartfelt thanks, and I know I speak on behalf of all the delegates at PAC this year when I say that none of it could have happened without the tireless efforts of Sally Bishop-Hawes and Jen Brogan in the Events team here, as well as Amber McCarthy and Sara Morris-Arkle for producing such brilliant web pages. Also thanks to the marvellous National Marine Aquarium who hosted not only a delicious dinner but an informative tour!

Thanks to everyone who attended, spoke and contributed to such an enjoyable event!

PAC 2012 18-19/7/12 Plymouth University

Next week sees the Annual Conference of the Public Administration Committee (PAC) come to Plymouth University. PAC 2012 will be held on the 18th-19th July and some of the key themes at the event are regionalism and devolution, sustainability and regeneration, teaching public administration, and emergency services and praxis. The event promises to be informative and valuable for both academics and practitioners, and full details can be found at www.plymouth.ac.uk/pac2012

The Olympics come to Plymouth.....

Not unusually for a warm Saturday night, the Barbican area of Plymouth was busy this weekend. What was more unusual, however, was the arrival of the Olympic torch in the city. Media coverage of this event suggested there were around 55,000 people on the streets of Plymouth on Saurday, both in the town and on the Hoe to see the Olympic flame. My own research has focused on some of the urban renewal aspects of the 2012 Games, and a particluar focus on the role of communities.

Now, to be honest, sometimes governance models cannot capture everything about a moment or story (though it pains me to admit that!) and despite my experience of research looking at the role of communities in urban renewal and partly the 2012 Games (the book will be out next year with Routledge), I was totally bowled over by the amazing turnout and reception the people of Plymouth provided on Saturday evening when the Olympic torch arrived. It was brilliant to see such pride in the city and to share that little moment of history.

Launch of ISSR

This week saw the launch here at Plymouth University of the Institute for Sustainability Solutions Research (ISSR). The launch profiled the inter-disciplinary work ISSR carries out and the fantastic success it has enjoyed so far. Colleagues from across the University engaged with ISSR, such as those from Geography, Architecture, Public Policy, Business, Health and Psychology attended the launch and showcased the excellent impact and solutions based research that is carried out across faculties, institutes and research centres here at Plymouth.

The launch was a huge success and very well attended, with local and national businesses well represented, reflecting the massive strides ISSR has made in a short time. The ISSR was officially opened by Minister of State Gregory Barker, from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and was also featured on the BBC’s Spotlight news programme, featuring an interview with Dr Tim Daley, Deputy Director of ISSR.

A brilliant day then, and many many congratulations to my ISSR colleagues who have worked so hard not just on the launch but each day on engaging with academic colleagues and governance and business organisations with such success and real world changing research. SLGP looks forward to continuing our exciting and productive work and our relationship with ISSR, as we continue to inspire and create new ideas across engagement and research. A huge success and a wonderful day!