Changing Academic Life Geraldine Fitzpatrick
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- Education
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What can we do, individually and collectively, to change academic life to be more sustainable, collaborative and effective? This podcast series offers long-form conversations with academics and thought leaders who share stories and insights, as well as bite-size musings on specific topics drawing on literature and personal experience.
For more information go to https://changingacademiclife.com
Also see https://geraldinefitzpatrick.com to leave a comment.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Jean Paul (Part 1) on Sandpit funding & impact-focussed research
Jean Paul is a Senior Scientist at the Medical University of Innsbruck in Austria. Jean discusses her involvement in a unique research funding process called a sandpit or an ideas factory. Having then taken on the leadership of the project, she provides insights into the challenges and benefits of transdisciplinary research, stakeholder engagement, and arguing for their impact-focused approach. Jean also shares her academic background in social science, health and genomics research work in Australia.
Overview:
[00:29] Introduction
[03:03] Jean's PhD, Post-Doc Journey & Backup Plan
[11:23] From Australia to Austria: Applying for research funding sandpit
[18:00] The Sandpit Experience
[27:47] Getting Funded, Becoming a Team
[32:08] Leading the Project and Ongoing Project Support
[40:20] Transdisciplinary Research
[48:29] Wrapping up Part 1
[49:36] More on Jean's PhD and Post Doc Projects
[56:40] Final Wrapping Up
[57:47] End
Related links:
Ludwig Boltzmann Institute/Gesellschaft
The sandpit-funded project – The Village Project
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Funding & Research Culture (podcast extract)
This episode is an edited extract from a ‘Beyond Phrenology’ podcast episode where Dr Madhur Mangalam chatted with me about the impacts of research funding challenges on academic culture and individual well-being. The conversation addresses the need for a shift towards more supportive and diverse cultures, the complexities of academic career paths, and the importance of leadership, mentorship and job crafting. We also discuss the implications of international academic norms on individual career choices.
Overview:
[00:00:43] Research Funding Challenges and the Unsustainability of Current Models
[00:04:57] Promoting Emotional Intelligence and Leadership in Academia
[00:15:14] Navigating Career Paths Across Contexts
[00:24:38] On Privileged Positions and Playing the Game
[00:29:02] Wrapping up
[00:30:53] End
Related Links:
Madhur Mangalam, University of Nebraska at Omaha
BeyondPhrenology (YouTube)
BeyondPhrenology (Spotify)
Daniel Goleman – Emotional Intelligence
CAL99 episode: On research identity, meaningful work and funding
TEDx talk from 2016: The craziness of research funding. It costs us all.
Online Academic Leadership Development Course – sign up by March 7 2024!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Celebrating 100!
Taking this time to celebrate CAL100 – the 100th episode for the Changing Academic Life podcast series (actually 109th episode if we count the nine related work episodes) and thanks to all the people who have been part of making it happen.
To update and correct the information about Dr Paddy Barrett who inspired this podcast:
His original podcast was called 'The Doctor Paradox'. He is a preventive cardiologist not an anaesthetist as I stated. And he is now working in Ireland not the US!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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On research identity, meaningful work and funding (solo)
Triggered by a comment from Katta Spiel in an earlier podcast, in this solo episode I explore the tensions between the autonomy and freedom we have to shape our research identities and do meaningful work, and the systemic constraints from funding and promotion opportunities. The tensions particularly arise when research interests don’t align well with institutional expectations or funding trends. I explore various ways to navigate these tensions, such as, adjusting research focus to align with strategic priorities, reframing research proposals while keeping the core agenda unchanged, or continuing passion projects outside of formal funded frameworks. I also reflect on potential trade-offs and the importance of maintaining personal connection and motivation in our research work. At the end I suggest some strategies for self-reflection and staying in tune with what 'lights you up' as a researcher.
This episode also connects with prior podcast guests Mark Reed and Stuart Reeves.
Overview:
00:29 Introduction and Reflection on Academic Freedom
01:54 Replay from Katta Spiel Part 1
02:37 Mark Reed's principle for engagement and impact
05:22 The Tension Between Personal Values, Identity and Systemic Expectations
07:05 The Reality of Funding Proposals and Strategic Game
08:40 The Impact of Funding Conditions on Research
10:27 The Dilemma of Playing the Funding Game
13:08 Choices for How to Play the Game
19:59 Choosing Not to Play the Game
21:54 Reframing Research Identity
26:55 End
Related links:
Katta podcast Part 1 episode
Mark Reed podcast episode
Stuart Reeves podcast episode
Mark Reed, What is good practice engagement and impact? Dec 5 2023
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Katta Spiel (Part 2) on neurodivergence & different ways of being and knowing
Dr Katta Spiel is an Assistant Professor at TU Wien, a recent ERC Starting Grant recipient, and a good colleague of mine. In part two of our conversation, Katta discusses being neurodivergent, and experiences with ADHD, and being an activist for change with an example of how gender is dealt with in research, and about 'epistemic plurality and the importance of making space for different ways of being and knowing. They conclude by advocating for respectful curiosity about individual experiences and allowing others space to perform their best work. They also argue for a lab culture where personal needs can be discussed and respected, suggesting this encourages more open dialogue and a supportive environment.
This conversation picks up from Part one where Katta shared their experiences on topics like career uncertainty, proposal rejections, coming out as queer, chronic health issues, being successful, and notions of normativity.
Overview:
[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:01:56] Personal Journey with Neurodivergence
[00:06:42] Strategies for Navigating Neurodivergence
[00:10:05] Dealing with a world not made for Neurodivergence
[00:15:39] Creating a Supportive Environment for Neurodivergence
[00:20:12] The Intersection of Neurodivergence and Activism
[00:26:19] Embracing different ways of being and knowing
[00:33:27] Final Thoughts on Neurodivergence and Inclusivity
[00:35:44] My final reflections
[00:38:06] End
Related links:
Katta's personal web page, TU Wien web page, LinkedIn page, and announcement about their ERC Starting Grant
Gender paper: Katta Spiel, Oliver L. Haimson, and Danielle Lottridge. 2019. How to do better with gender on surveys: a guide for HCI researchers. interactions 26, 4 (July-August 2019), 62–65. https://doi.org/10.1145/3338283
Hanne de Jaegher https://hannedejaegher.net
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Reflecting on 2023
In this short episode I reflect on the podcast season so far and on my own year of transitions. And I offer some prompt questions to help us reflect on what we have achieved and learnt this past year and encourage us to take some time to savour and celebrate it.
Overview:
00:05 Introduction
01:32 Podcast highlights
05:50 Transitioning to a new phase
7:35 Reflection prompts
10:17 Gratitude & looking forward
13:26 End
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy