Changing Academic Life

In this short solo episode a share a simple yet powerful technique, S.T.O.P., for taking a purposeful pause throughout your every day. Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed.00:29 Motivating STOP01:50 What is STOP04:37 Using STOP11:19 Towards making STOP a habit13:58 EndThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Volkmar Pipek was a highly influential researcher from Uni of Siegen who sadly passed away in Jan 2024 after a long illness. This short episode draws from a written interview he gave to Mateusz Dolata on the occasion of his 2023 EUSSET-ISSI Lifetime Achievement Award. I read an extract where he shares his advice about becoming and being a researcher: Be curious. Be who you are. Be curious who you are. Wise advice for all of us.Read the full interview with Volkmar PipekInterview conducted by Mateusz Dolata, University of Zurich Text accompanying the EUSSET-ISSI Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 to Volkmar PipekEUSSET: European Society for Socially Embedded Technologies ISSI: Institute for Social Informatics Volkmar Pipek, University of Siegen and Volkmar's publications This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Liam Bannon is a Professor Emeritus and founder and director of the Interaction Design Centre at the University of Limerick in Ireland.Liam has been a hugely influential thinker writer and researcher since the 1980s, along with various collaborators, in shaping work around technology and design. Recorded in-person in 2017, he reflects on his interdisciplinary journey and contributions, covering areas such as AI, HCI, CSCW, human-centered design, and collaboration. Liam's experiences exemplify the challenges and rewards of crafting a unique academic career largely outside the box, grounded in interdisciplinary collaboration and a commitment to improving human-technology interactions, while also highlighting the importance of personal fulfilment and being able to think broadly.Related Links:Liam at the Interaction Design Centre, Uni of LimerickSome of the people & papers he mentions:George Miller Zenon Pylyshyn, (1973). What the mind's eye tells the mind's brain: A critique of mental imagery. Psychological Bulletin, 80(1), 1–24. H. Rudy Ramsey and Michael E Attwood (1979) Human Factors in Computer Systems: A Review of the Literature, Technical Report SAI-79-111DENJames Jenkins, Uni of MinnesotaDon Norman, Human Centered Design, UCSD. See also https://jnd.orgKjeld Schmidt Lucy SuchmanRob Kling Center for Social Informatics Susanne Bødker, Aarhus Uni; see also our 2023 podcast conversationMike Cooley, Engineer Lucas AerospaceTerry Winograd and Fernando Flores, Understanding Computers and Cognition, A New Foundation for Design, 1987, Addison-Wesley.Bannon, L. & Bødker, S. (1991) Beyond the Interface: Encountering Artifacts in Use. Book Chapter in J.M. Carroll (Ed.) (1991) Designing Interaction: Psychology at the Human-Computer Interface, pp.227-253. (New York: Cambridge University Press) (See also an

Jean Paul is a senior scientist at the Medical University of Innsbruck. In part 2 of our conversation, Jean discusses her experience leading an impact-led transcdisciplinary research project focused on supporting families with mental health issues. She highlights the challenges of stakeholder engagement, distributed team management, and transdisciplinary research. Jean emphasizes the importance of community engagement, virtual team collaboration, and fostering diversity in academia. She also reflects on the skills she brings to this role and the importance of investing in the team set up from the very beginning.Overview[00:29] Introducing Part 2[02:23] Recap from Part 1[07:27] Working with stakeholders[13:35] Leading a distributed international interdisciplinay project team[14:59] Learning leadership from diverse experiences[18:25] The transferrable skills – listening and learning[20:04] Supporting diverse career paths[25:16] Insights for parents in academia[29:22] Leadership, organisational design and virtual team management[34:33] Making virtual collaboration work[39:08] Future directions and reflections[41:57] EndRelated links:Ludwig Boltzmann Institute/GesellschaftThe sandpit-funded project – The Village ProjectThe Healthy Minds projectDr Ghislaine Caulat – consultant on virtual leadership development Simon Martin – consultant for their organisational design in a transdisciplinary project with stakeholder involvement Project Design principles:The design principles that came out of the oganisational design workshops:Effectively coordinate and involve a wide (but manageable!) network of stakeholdersBe clear on expectations, results and deliverables within the teamKeep momentum, trust and energy going across the project timeline for the core team and wider stakeholdersMake sure that the perspectives of people with lived experience are heard clearly throughout the project (capturing the voices of people impacted by perinatal mental illness and those who are treating and working with the affected person and their families)Enact high ethical standards in our research (especially when listening to personal stories of mental illness and challenges)Demonstrate the value of interdisciplinary research partnerships with stakeholders, and challenge the landscape of traditional research and methodsEffectively lobby and influence (local and national policy makers), and raise awareness in society / politics through making our topics and results visible.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

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] EndRelated links:Ludwig Boltzmann Institute/GesellschaftThe sandpit-funded project – The Village ProjectThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

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] EndRelated Links:Madhur Mangalam, University of Nebraska at OmahaBeyondPhrenology (YouTube)BeyondPhrenology (Spotify)Daniel Goleman – Emotional IntelligenceCAL99 episode: On research identity, meaningful work and fundingTEDx 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: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

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.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

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 Freedom01:54 Replay from Katta Spiel Part 102:37 Mark Reed's principle for engagement and impact05:22 The Tension Between Personal Values, Identity and Systemic Expectations07:05 The Reality of Funding Proposals and Strategic Game08:40 The Impact of Funding Conditions on Research10:27 The Dilemma of Playing the Funding Game13:08 Choices for How to Play the Game19:59 Choosing Not to Play the Game21:54 Reframing Research Identity 26:55 EndRelated 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 2023This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

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] EndRelated links:Katta's personal web page, TU Wien web page, LinkedIn page, and announcement about their ERC Starting GrantGender 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/10.1145/3338283Hanne de Jaegher https://hannedejaegher.netThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

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 Introduction01:32 Podcast highlights05:50 Transitioning to a new phase7:35 Reflection prompts10:17 Gratitude & looking forward13:26 EndThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Dr Katta Spiel is an Assistant Professor at TU Wien, a recent ERC Starting Grant recipient, and a good colleague of mine. In the first part of this two-part conversation Katta shares their experiences on a range of topics like career uncertainty, rejection of proposals, coming out as queer, having a formal gender change, dealing with chronic health issues, and being successful in receiving a prestigious research council grant. Dr. Spiel's struggles and successes reflect their unyielding effort to change academic life for the better. An emphasis is also placed on the importance of authenticity and uncompromised approach when applying for grants. Part two of the conversation with Katta will delve deeper into the topic of neurodivergence and their ADHD experiences.Overview:0:00 Introduction02:42 Navigating Identity and Academia07:06 Exploring Alternative Career Paths09:37 The Journey to Recognition and Success10:34 Challenges and Triumphs in Grant Applications23:07 Understanding the Difference Between Access and Accessibility25:48 Personal Journey of Gender Identity and Health33:58 Experiences with Chronic Health Issues38:10 The Impact of Body Shape on Medical Treatment40:16 The Role of Technology in Access and Inclusion43:23 EndRelated Links:Katta's personal web page, TU Wien web page, LinkedIn page, and announcement about their ERC Starting GrantPeople: Raja Kushalnager, Christian Vogler , Abraham GlasserThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

There were some technical hiccups in Part 2 of my conversation with Irina Shklovski, making the original audio I released very choppy (a lesson in not relying on smart tools!). I've uploaded new audio version that is much easier to listen to and doesn't chop off words. So this is an encouragement to you to listen to this now as it is such an important raw honest conversation and Irina shares so many useful ideas about coming back from burnout and learning to be enough, do enough. I include a clip from that conversation as a teaser. Overview:00:00 Intro00:29 Addressing Technical Issues on Irina Part 201:52 Revisiting Irina's Conversation02:35 Snippet from Irina's Conversation04:13 Encouragement to Listen to Part Two04:30 Outro05:25 EndEpisode: Irina Shklovski Part 2This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this short episode I pick on the notion of self-compassion from the discussion with Mark Reed last week, and go back to Kristin Neff's work and other related self-compassion researcher to unpack the three components of self-compassion and some practices for cultivating self-compassion and also point to some of the research evidence base for the benefits of self-compassion. I also share my own experience in needing to apply self-compassion this week. Overview:00:29 Introduction01:27 Replaying Mark Reed on self-compassion02:26 An overview of self-compassion06:37 Examples of self-compassion practices08:24 My self-compassion experience11:25 Example research evidence base17:45 Back to Mark20:24 EndFor transcript to follow automatically with the audio: https://share.descript.com/view/JxbMM1C5ZIZ Related Links:The podcast conversation with Mark Reed Kristin Neff's Self-Compassion web page https://self-compassion.orgNeff, K., Hsieh, Y. & Dejitterat, K. Self-compassion, Achievement Goals, and Coping with Academic Failure. Self and Identity, 4, 263-287, 2005. DOI: 10.1080/13576500444000317 Zessin, U., Dickhäuser, O. & Garbade, S. The Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis. Health and Well-Being, 7(3), 340-364 2015Ewert, C., Vater, A. & Schröder-Abé, M. Self-Compassion and Coping: a Meta-Analysis. Mindfulness 12, 1063–1077 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01563-8Lee, K.J., Lee, S.M. The role of self-compassion in the academic stress model. Curr Psychol41, 3195–3204 (2022).https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00843-9Dreisoerner, A., Klaic, A., van Dick, R. et al. Self-Compassion as a Means to Improve Job-Related Well-Being in Academia. J Happiness Stud 24, 409–428 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-022-00602-6Phillips WJ, Hine DW. Self-compassion, physical health, and health behaviour: a meta-analysis. Health Psychol Rev. 2021 Mar;15(1):113-139. Doi:10.1080/17437199.2019.1705872. Epub 2019 Dec 22. PMID: 31842689.Neff, K. Self-Compassion: Theory, Method, Research, and Intervention. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2023. 74:193–218. Acknowledgement: Episode artwork image of person hugging themselves: Photo by Hala Al-Asadi on

Professor Mark Reed is an academic, author, podcaster, consultant, trainer, policy advisor among his many roles. His research area is on ecosystem markets and environmental governance, and he studies how researchers can generate and share their knowledge so they can change the world. Reflecting both of these strands, he is both an academic, co-directing a research Centre at Scotland's Rural College, and he is the founder of Fast Track Impact, a training and coaching company, and he hosts The Fast Track Impact podcast. He also has a host of other roles you can read about on his web page. We discuss the concept of 'impact' in academia, the challenges of mental health and burnout amongst academics, and the importance of self-compassion, self-reflection and self-care. Driven by a desire to make a difference, Mark intertwines his academic inquiries with a commitment to environmental stewardship and decolonizing research. He also talks about his commitment to empowering colleagues, managing postdocs efficiently, and his take on the biases and limitations within the academic system.Overview00:05 Introduction00:30 Meet Professor Mark Reed: A Multi-faceted Academic01:18 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Academia01:56 Mark's Personal Struggles and the Importance of Self-Compassion02:07 The Role of Purpose and Values in Mark's Work02:56 Mark's Journey as an Academic and Policy Advisor07:23 The Challenges and Biases in the Academic System08:32 Building a Compassionate Culture in Academia11:33 Decolonizing Research and Influencing Policy27:11 The Role of Empathy and Love in Research32:13 The Importance of Self-Care and Work-Life Balance in Academia48:05 Creating a Purposeful Workplace and Leading from the Bottom Up51:24 Conclusion: The Impact of Love and Empathy in Academia52:56 EndListen here for a version to follow the transcript linked directly to the audioRelated LinksMark's research web page & Fast Track Impact pageMark's books: https://www.fasttrackimpact.com/books#impact-cultureThe Research Impact Handbook 2nd Ed 2018The Productive Researcher 2017Impact Culture 2022 Mark's ‘The Fast Track Impact' podcast seriesMark Reed & Hanna Rudman, Re-thinking research impact: voice, context and power at the interface of science, policy and practice, 18, Sustainability Science, 967-981, 2023.Richard Watermeyer's 2019 book:

In this very short 7mins episode, I talk about choosing to go to the park instead of doing a longer episode as I had planned - making good enough choices and honouring other areas of my life.I also point to related older podcasts that talked about issues around burnout, obsessive vs harmonious passion, self care, planning:Jolanta Burke on burnout, harmonious passion, positive workplaces & helping others (from 2017)Anna Cox on family, work & strategies for making the changes we want (from 2017)Amy Ko on being reflectively self-aware, deliberately structured, & amazingly productive (also from 2017)This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Professor Irina Shklovski, University of Copenhagen, continues her powerful story about her academic burn-out experiences, returning to work and learning the dance of how to be enough and do enough. She discusses the push-and-pull between professional expectations and personal health, the value of reflection and self-awareness, how to establish work boundaries, and the crucial role of support from colleagues. We also touch on university funding, neoliberal culture in academia, and the importance of nurturing a balanced lifestyle which includes non-work related activities. The conversation ends with a call for change in academia, highlighting the need to redefine standards for success and manage the increasing pressures in academic cultures.Overview:[00:29] Episode introduction & recap Part 1[04:53] Trying to plan[06:29] Saying no and yes[14:44] Value of professional help[22:57] Tracking work[32:10] Making time for rest[40:24] Culture/structure influences[49:39] Supporting students in what is enough[54:46] Wrapping up[59:04] EndListen here for a version to follow the transcript linked directly to the audioRelated Links:Pernille Bjørn Kasper HornbækRidiculous SoftwareToggle Track Haruki Murakami, What I talk about when I talk about running This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Professor Irina Shklovski, University of Copenhagen, has a powerful story to tell about her burn-out experiences. In Part 1 she talks about how she got there, having an amazingly supportive department and colleagues, and how her body tells her when to stop. Implicated in this are issues such as being across two departments, defining her scholarship, starting a new uni during COVID, the downside of getting grants and what it's like getting to the point of not being able to function and having to ask for help. Apologies for missing music - trying to get that sorted!Overview:[00:29] Episode introduction[01:58] Navigating two departments…during COVID[10:32] Deciding for CS, being uncomfortable, having impact [24:25] Journey to burnout[29:35] Making the call for help[38:45] How her body tells her when to stop[42:32] Wrapping up[45:17] End Click here for a walk-through transcriptRelated LinksGender studies (TEMAG) - Linköping UniversityIrina Shklovski, Uni of Copenhagen web pageKasper HornbæckPernille BjørnBob Kraut, Carnegie Mellon Uni, HCI InstituteThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this short solo episode, I reflect back on recent conversations around academic mobility, discuss some benefits, and also point to an EU initiative to improve support for mobility across sectors, countries and disciplines. I also discuss some of the costs and issues around mobility, and in particular pensions, something we don't often think about. In sharing my experiences with a complicated pension situation because of my international and sector mobility, I encourage everyone to think about this now.Overview:[00:29] Episode introduction, revisiting mobility form past episodes[02:16] EU initiative towards better mobility support, mobility benefits[04:47] Shadow sides of mobility[06:12] Pension challenges with mobility[08:12] My mobility and pension story[15:08] Encouraging people to think more about pensions[16:50] RESAVER pension fund[19:24] EndThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Professor Susanne Bødker is a professor of Human Computer Interaction at Aarhus University in Denmark. She reflects on 40 years at Aarhus University (AU) touching on issues including mobility, changes over time, hiring practices, creating collegial culture, being active in university politics, transitioning to retirement, being a single parent, among many others. You'll hear a strongly held set of values around participation and human connections. Susanne is one of the most respected and impactful HCI researchers yet you'll also hear her humility. Thank you Susanne for a career well served and that will hopefully continue in some ways as you explore your new opportunities. Apologies for missing music - trying to get that sorted!Overview0:05 Welcome to Changing Academic Life.[00:00:29] Episode introduction[00:02:21] Susanne introduces herself and her PhD times[00:14:36] Reflecting on 40 years in Aarhus[00:21:31] The collegial social culture at Aarhus[00:25:29] Hiring people for fit[00:30:18] The value of mobility[00:38:06] The big changes over time[00:40:49] Being involved in university politics[00:47:39] Transitioning to retirement[00:54:39] How she sees her legacy[01:00:05] Being a single parent[01:04:52] Wrapping up01:07:21 EndRelated links:Susanne Bødker, Google Scholar profile Her published thesis: Susanne Bødker, Through the Interface: A Human Activity Approach to User Interface Design, Routledge, 1990Austrian Academy of Sciences Lecture, 21 Sept 2023, “How do we understand tools, and why is that important for contemporary human-computer interaction?"Morten Kyng, Kristen Nygaard, Kim Halskov, Joan Greenbaum Winograd, Terry and Flores, Fernando, Understanding Computers and Cognition: A New Foundation for Design, Intellect Books, 1986. Dreyfus, Stuart E. and Dreyfus, Hubert L. (1986). Mind over Machine. New York, NY: Free Press.Utopia project & Participatory IT (PIT) Centre Keywords:Academia, Career paths, Research culture, Retirement, ValuesClick here to subscribe via the player of your choice. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Following the conversation with Dr Karen Stroobants on the EU CoARA agreement, I discuss some other top-down initiatives at international and national levels for reforming research assessment. I also share some of my own bottom-up experiences trying to put these principles to work eg in writing references and being part of evaluation panels. It is also my hope that these actions can also have some middle-out influence.Overview [41:33 mins] - full transcript available:[00:00:29] Episode introduction[00:02:10] The 10 Commitments of CoARA[00:05:02] Other international initiatives[00:10:34] Netherlands as example of national initiatives[00:17:20] Some of my 'bottom up' examples[00:34:18] Middle out strategies[00:38:35] Wrapping upRelated links:CoARA: Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment and CoARA CommitmentsLERU: League of European Research Universities LERU Publication: A Pathway towards Multidimensional Academic Careers 2022DORA: San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment 2013Leiden Manifesto for Research Metrics 2015 The Metric Tide: Review of metrics in research assessment Strategy Evaluation Protocol 2021-2027 Room for Everyone's Talent Related podcasts:Karen Stroobants on changing research culture and reforming research assessmentSarah Davies: Part 1 on mobility, precarity and notions of excellence and part 2 on luck, disrupting excellence, and cultures of careTanita Casci and Elizabeth Adams on supporting, rewarding and celebrating a positive collegial research culture James Wilsden on metrics and responsible research evaluation Keywords:Academia, CoARA, Diversity, Governance and policy, Research culture, Research...

In this short episode I reflect on my recurring life lesson about putting unrealistic pressures on myself, in this case to put out a full podcast this week. Especially when the platforms I am using are a work in progress. And accepting that I am also a work in progress. What are your recurring life lessons?Transcript [08:03 mins][00:00:29] Geri: Do you ever have any of those life lessons where it seems like the universe needs to serve them up to you again and again and again? Because you're so slow to learn them. And so you need to be reminded about them over and over and over again. Well, this week I've been returned to one of my recurring life lessons that it seems like I still don't learn. Which is about setting up unreal expectations for myself. [00:01:02] I made the bold claim in the short intro session to season four. That my aim was to try to release a podcast every week on a Wednesday morning. And so I've already put myself under enormous pressure to do that. Uh, we put out the great conversation with Karen last week Karen Stroobants about reforming research evaluation. And I wanted to follow up that podcast, just responding to some of the issues she raised in terms of my personal experiences. And so I did record something and then I spent ages processing the audio and so on. And doing it quite uncritically because I was just driven by, I had to get it out. I had to get it out. Uh, and then Wednesday came and I miss my 8:00 AM release time and it still wasn't done. And I'm still feeling the pressure last night and it just occurred to me. It has stepping back a little bit. It's actually not very good at all. Despite the huge amount of time and effort that I've put into it, it's really not ready to go out. And it's something that I should take just as a, as a rehearsal . So then I was feeling doubly bad about it. [00:02:15] But do you know what? That all just comes from me? I created that. No one else. I know that no one is sitting around at 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM on a Wednesday. Waiting for the podcast to drop. But still I felt the pressure. I felt bad. And I ended up putting a whole lot of misdirected time and inefficient effort. Having bought into that pressure. And that whole unrealistic expectation. [00:02:43] So I'm not going to release that podcast. I am still going to get something out this week. So what's my minimal commitment that I can do. And I'm just going to do this short one with yet another confession. About this time, setting up unrealistic expectations. [00:03:01] And when you think about it, logically of course they were unrealistic expectations. What on earth was I thinking. Of course, it's going to be hard to do weekly at the moment. Because this whole new podcast set up is a work in progress, literally. We're still getting the new technology platforms in place for the podcast and that that's everything from the recording platform. The platform where I process the audio, do the transcriptions. Um, we're setting up a whole new podcast server. They're all new. At once. And so every aspect of the workflow now is brand new as well. And on top of that, they're really great platforms, but in being great, they're also quite complex. And so there's a huge learning curve, both just in getting to know the software and what each of the platforms can do. As well as how I want to use them and how to make that workflow work. [00:04:02] And the other aspect, that's a big work in progress and taking time and effort is the website. And. And also there's a lot of interplay between the new podcast server and the new website that we're trying to work out as well. So that the whole environment I'm trying to work in. Is a work in progress. [00:04:21] And I'm clearly a work in progress as well. Because I forgot to

We need to reform research evaluation because "It's not just which people are we excluding, which profiles are we excluding, which ideas are we excluding, but also whose problems are we not solving" says Dr Karen Stroobants.Karen is a researcher, policy adviser and consultant on research policy and strategy, with a focus on research culture. Her research background and PhD is in chemistry. She now manages a portfolio of activities, combining roles as (part-time) lead policy advisor on research landscape & economy for the Royal Society of Chemistry in the UK and as freelance consultant, focusing most recently on contributing to the drafting of a European agreement on research assessment reform. This agreement on reforming research assessment from CoARA, the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment, is the reason I wanted to speak with Karen. We cover: concerns of current research assessment approaches; the need for both top-down and bottom up buy in to create research culture change and what that change might look like; how we can navigate career choices while the system is still in transition; the importance of reflection for research culture change and embracing a diversity of people ideas and research problems; the core commitments of the CoARA agreement; and the move to more qualitative assessments at both individual and institutional and national levels. We finish with Karen reflecting on her own career choices driven by values and what is important. [00:00:29] Episode introduction[00:02:39] Welcome & Introduction[00:04:39] Concerns around research system[00:13:05] Research culture change needs top-down and bottom-up buy-in[00:20:12] Negotiating choices while the system is undergoing transition[00:23:25] Importance of reflection for research culture change[00:30:21] Diversity of people, ideas and research problems[00:34:17] CoARA Agreement on reforming research assessment[00:40:04] Signing up to the CoARA agreement[00:50:10] Narrative CVs - for inividuals, organisations and national level[00:54:02] Other ways of brining a qualitative lens[00:56:15] Karen's career path - setting boundaries, choosing valuesRelated links:CoARA: Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment https://coara.euProf Frank Miedema, UMC Utrecht, https://www.umcutrecht.nl/en/research/researchers/miedema-frank-f#Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions MSCA https://marie-sklodowska-curie-action; San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment s.ec.europa.euINORMS: International Network of Research Management Societies https://inorms.netDORA: San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment https://sfdora.org/dora-community-engagement-grants-supporting-academic-assessment-reform/The Metric Tide: Review of metrics in research assessment https://www.ukri.org/publications/review-of-metrics-in-research-assessment-and-management/Book:Caroline Criado Perez, Invisible Women, Vintage Books, 2019

This is a short episode to kick off Season 4 of the Changing Academic Life podcast series.Looking forward to bringing some great conversations coming on a range of topics fro reforming research assessment, burnout and neurodiversity.A new website will be coming very soon!You can access all the latest episodes via this link that will connect you to your favourite podcast player. And don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already to be sure you don't miss any episodes!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

End of season wrap. I review some of the themes from the last season include listening, leadership, wellbeing, peer review, and research excellence. I also invite feedback and you can go to the https://www.changingacademiclife.com/contact page to share your feedback and suggestions. And I share some transitions happening over the break before coming back in Sept/Oct 2023.See https://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2023/cal83-reflections-transitions for a time-stamped overview, transcript and related links.

Prof Sarah Davies (STS Dept, Uni of Vienna) researches conditions on academic work and knowledge production. In Part 2 we discuss her research on issues such as equity and valuing diverse work, care work in academia, creating collegial research cultures, and luck in research, and how accounting for luck might be one way of disrupting problematic rhetorics of excellence.See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2023/cal82-sarah-davies-part-2 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

In Part 1, Sarah Davies (STS, Vienna Uni) discusses her experiences with academic mobility, touching on issues of cultural differences, precarity, and reflecting on who is able to be mobile or not and with what consequences. This leads to discussions about how we interpret CVs, and she challenges us to re-think internationalization and notions of excellence.See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2023/cal81-sarah-davies-part-1 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

Dr Elizabeth Churchill, Snr Director at Google, shares experiences on building team cultures, managing diversity, onboarding global teams, and useful management frameworks. She also shares her journey from psychology to working in big tech and now at the infrastructure level, what she was looking for in moving between companies, and her love of people, of being challenged and continually learning.See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2023/ cal80-elizabeth-churchill for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

The areas Marta Cecchinato discusses include: her leadership of a new group, leading her department's Athena Swan EDI initiative, supporting people on parental leave, her own experiences being a first-time mother, and the digital wellbeing strategies that have been most helpful to her. See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2023/cal79-marta-cecchinato-part-2 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

In part 1 of our conversation, Dr Marta Cecchinato from Northumbria Uni talks about her digital wellbeing research, the concept of microboundaries, and strategies for taking more control of these microboundaries. You can also download her booklet to find more practical strategies.See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2023/cal78-marta-cecchinato-part1 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

James Wilsdon has been involved in many policy initiatives around research evaluation. Of particular interest here, he chaired a review of the role of metrics in the management of the UK's research system, resulting in the 2015 report, The Metric Tide. Connecting to our recent episodes on review practices, we start here at about 19mins into the original recording exploring what is the purpose of research evaluation.See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2023/cal77-james-wilsdon-replay for a time-stamped transcript and related links.

I found this a powerful conversation with Heike Winschiers-Theophilus on global south research, reviewer bias, abstract vs lived diversity, & pluriversality.See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2023/ cal76-heike-winschiers-theophilus for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

In this episode, Edward Lee discusses the culture of rejection, in CS especially, the problems with peer reviewing, the nature of conferences, and how we might approach reviewing differently and start to change the culture around publications, acceptance rates and evaluations without losing quality standards. See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2023/cal75-edward-lee for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

This short reflection follows on from the last episode, a replay of my 2017 conversation with Gloria Mark. I make a confession here that comes from my reviewing hall of shame about when I was a reviewer of one of the key papers leading to hew new book, a paper authored by Victor González and Gloria Mark. And how I (very wrongly!) argued for rejection. Luckily good colleagues saved me from myself and the paper was accepted but I use this as an example to urge us to be more reflective about our biases and position this also against the broader challenges around reviewing in our increasingly hypercompetitive publication culture. For overview, transcript and related links go to http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2023/cal74-review-hall-of-shame

This is a replay of the 2017 conversation with Gloria Mark in honour of her publishing her book called ‘Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity', that includes some of the research she talks about here. You'll hear Gloria talk about her experiences as chair of a major conference, how she moved from a Fine Arts background, painting murals on buildings, to a PhD in cognitive science and to studying the relationship between media use, attention and stress.See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2023/cal73-gloria-mark-replay for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

Austen Rainer and I discuss the Academic Leadership Development courses we co-facilitate for Informatics Europe: how these courses came about, the similarities and differences between the online and residential versions of the course and the broad topic areas we cover. Join us for Spring (online) or June (residential).See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2023/cal72-leadership-development for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

At the end of 2022, I reflect on some of themes of the conversations in this season around: the power of good listening, the different ways of doing leadership and being leader, and how we can all step up and be part of making a difference. Full transcript and related links at http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2022/12/30/end-of-2022-reflections

The continuing conversation with Dr Aisling O'Kane (Part 2) where she reflects on her experiences stepping into an acting head of department role as a relatively junior faculty member and her radical participatory decision making approach as well as lessons learnt. See www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2022/12/15/aisling-okane-part-2 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

Dr Aisling O'Kane shares her industry to academia story that takes her around the world, moving from engineering and human factors, to beer, margarine and nuclear risk assessment, and now to safety critical healthcare devices in complex settings. Along the way, she also talks about mobility, family, two-body challenges and COVID impacts. Look out also for Part 2 coming soon.See www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2022/12/8/aisling-okane-part-1 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

Stuart Reeves is an Associate Professor at Nottingham University in the UK. In Part 1, he reflected on the complexities of universities and the structural/managerial issues that contribute to this. In Part 2 here, Stuart goes on to describe his journey from protesting about pensions on the picket line to becoming an academic member of the university Senate and his experiences of trying to effect change in university governance. It is hopefully inspiring to someone not just see challenges but commit to being part of the change to meet these challenges.See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/ 2022/12/1/stuart-reeves-part-2 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

Dr. Stuart Reeves is a in the Mixed Reality Lab and Horizon Research Institute at Nottingham University in the UK. This conversation is in two parts. In Part 1 of our conversation, he reflected on the complexities of universities and the structural/managerial issues that contribute to this. In Part 2 here, Stuart goes on to describe his journey from protesting about pensions on the picket line to becoming an academic member of the university Senate and his experiences of trying to effect change in university governance. As you will understand, he necessarily has to be circumspect about the specific details he shares but nonetheless there is much to be inspired by hearing someone not just see challenges but commit to being part of the change to meet these challenges.See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2022/11/23/stuart-reeves-part-1 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links

This is Part 2 of my conversation with Dr Darragh McCashin, an Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology at Dublin City University, and member of the Core Group for the EU COST Network on Researcher Mental Health Observatory, called ReMO. In Part 1 of this conversation, he reflected on his experiences as a PhD student and starting a lecturer position during COVID times. Here we pick up on the challenges around researcher mental health, focusing in particular on imposter phenomenon, what it is, how it is experienced, and multi-level strategies for dealing with it. See www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2022/11/10/darragh-mccashin-part2 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/start for transcript and related links.Episode in overview: 00:30 Preamble02:07 Darragh introduces himself08:07 How he manifests interdisciplinary thinking 09:35 His men in rural Ireland study for a Movember project 14:43 Experiences of taking on his first lecturer position in the middle of a pandemic20:13 What he loves about his job 22:38 What he is afraid of – the imposter.25:39 The recognition from audiences when he talks about the pressures of academia and the imposter30:01 My reflections at the end32:46 End

In Part 2 of our conversation, Dr Julie Kientz shares her experiences around getting tenure and finding a more focused path post-tenure. And she talks about how she came to be Head of Department and immediately had to deal with the COVID pandemic and racial justice reckoning. She's a role model for how to do leadership from a place of humility and care, working to her strengths, amplifying impact and being comfortable with being uncomfortable.See www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2022/10/11/julie-kientz-part-2 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2022/9/21/julie-kientz-part-1 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2022/9/15/oscar-trimboli-part-2 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2022/9/7/oscar-trimboli-part-1 for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.

A short preamble to kick start the new 2022 season of Changing Academic Life podcast. See www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2022/8/31/reconnecting-2022 - for a transcript and related links.

How do you recognize your own progress and do you ever stop to praise yourself for it? In this short podcast I replay part of a previous conversation with Katherine Isbister who talks about working 8-5 M-F, being productive and praising yourself. I connect this to another conversation I had this week about challenges recognizing progress, as well as research around self-compassion and savoring.See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2021/7/23/rw9-progress-and-praise for a time-stamped transcript and related work links.

This short related-work podcast follows up on the last conversation with Michael Bungay-Stanier, to present the seven coaching-like questions from his book ‘The Coaching Habit' for helping us to stay curious longer, jump to advice a little more slowly. I also reflect on my experiences trying to apply this in my academic life where I see it as one of our most powerful tools to help empower and develop good people.

Michael Bungay-Stanier is an internationally renowned author, company founder and thought leader in coaching. Michael is the founder of Box of Crayons, a learning and development company that helps organizations move from advice-driven to curiosity-led. He's the author of 6 books, the best known of which is The Coaching Habit which has sold close to a million copies and has thousands of 5-star reviews. His latest book The Advice Trap, focuses on what it takes to tame your Advice Monster. We start off the conversation reflecting on his career choices and discussing the differences between academia and industry. He then discusses what it means to be more coach-like in our work - staying curious a little longer, asking good questions, and being slower to jump to advice – as well as how to recognise our different advice monsters. We finish off with some questions posed by participants on a recent academic leadership development course. Overview (times approximate):00:28 Preamble 04:07 Bio07:26 Career choices, meaning and impact11:41 Academia16:45 Staying curious longer18:05 Advice challenges23:26 Getting practical32:22 Advice monsters & their prizes and punishments42:51 Responding to questions51:32 Wrap up 53:55 EndSee www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2021/6/10/michael-bungay-stanier for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links

See http://www.changingacademiclife.com/blog/2021/5/21/tanita-casci-elizabeth-adams for a time-stamped overview of the conversation, transcript and related links.