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!