The recent Regional Studies Association European Conference in Izmir, Turkey was a great success. The
conference also hosted an Early Career Session. During this session, Professor
Margareta Dahlstrōm, one of the panelists kindly responded to the questions of
the participants. The groups consisting of PhD candidates and early career researchers
were vividly involved into discussing the topics related to academic as well as
policy practitioners’ careers. The variety of issues raised by the attendees of
the plenary sessions can be divided into subjects, which will be briefly
described in the following paragraphs, thanks to the notes of Anna Sznajder.
Between research and practice
One of the most
sensitive issues for many of the participants was the usefulness of their
research for policy makers, consultants, regional and local government,
communities. The often asked question ‘How to make practitioners read your
paper?’ required a detailed explanation from Professor Dahlstrōm. She
highlighted the importance of communication and the need for adjusting
methodologies used by researchers in academia to ordinary life demands. This
could happen in multiple ways, such as:
- writing/presenting short papers adapted to the audience;
- organizing
panel discussions open to everyone in the region; - meeting
with a key representative for the region and convincing him/her first; - using
action research as a way to engage the community or leaders; - building
good relations through various actions and activities; and finally, - teaching
students is a way to train future practitioners, who will understand the
importance of collaboration between academic and practice realities.
From PhD to profession
According to Professor
Margareta Dahlstrōm post-doctoral studies are a good way to develop the career
of young researchers. Starting early allows the building of contacts and
networks necessary for future progress. This is also the best time to prepare
some publications resulted from the research. Sometimes having the experience
in another country, where there are funds to conduct the required studies is a
good idea. For example in Sweden there are special funds for international
students accessible to post-doctoral candidates.
Getting published
Professor Dahlstrōm
advised also regarding writing a paper (or papers) from doctoral dissertation.
Her first publication appeared in the Journal
of Rural Studies. It was a result of cooperation with editor and recognized
author of rural studies at that time, Jo Little, who interested in the subject
provided multiple suggestions on how to construct the paper and improve it in
order to get published in a journal. This experience boosted Margareta’s
confidence, and provided the needed encouragement for future career in
research.
Thanks to the peer-review mechanism, of submission and re-submission
of corrected paper versions according to editorial advises, young researchers
have a chance to publish their research and adjust it to the journal and
academic standards. Thus, Professor Dahlstrōm strongly recommended the
publication of papers resulted from the PhD thesis as a way to build one’s
careers path.
In order to be more effective in the number of publications, she
strongly recommended co-authoring as a way to publish, network and ensure a
level of complexity of the academic career. However, she did not fully agree
with a concept to publish only in high quality journals. One publication in an excellent
journal might not be equal and cannot be compared to ten publications in
average journals. Even so, there are different careers paths and various
institutions that recognize the quality of a researcher’s work not only through
his/her selectiveness in choosing journals to publish.
Interdisciplinary research
Interdisciplinary
research is both an advantage and challenge for early career researchers.
Professor Dahlstrōm advised for the researcher to first recognize his/her own
position in the discipline, i.e. how much one is close to one discipline:
geography or economy. She considered borrowing concepts between disciplines as
good practice. Multidisciplinary practices are also an opportunity to come up
with something new and creative concepts and ideas. However, conducting this
research depends from on the traditions existing at each university and the ability
of one to be flexible with this idea.
Organization of work
Organization of work
and good time management are crucial for a successful academic career. High
demands from institutions regarding number of publications and teaching duties
were a concern for the participants, as these can come in conflict with family
life. Professor Dahlstrōm agreed that to keep a healthy work-life balance
whilst working in academia is very difficult and highlighted the importance of
breaks for efficiency and progress. By breaks she meant different experiences,
such as motherhood or temporary change of profession, i.e. dropping academia
for participation in practical projects. Also, shifts between various tasks,
which stimulate creativity and innovation, help to organize time and be more
productive.
Anna Sznajder is a PhD
Candidate at the Faculty of Business and Creative Industries, University of the
West of Scotland, Paisley, UK.