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Just before Christmas, I tentatively mentioned at work that I was a medievalist is a previous life (or maybe better described as a part-time/ad hoc medievalist atm).
While I am committed to my career in student support, it was so nice to remind myself of my academic identity.
While I am committed to my career in student support, it was so nice to remind myself of my academic identity.
That tentative step led to an introduction, connections, and invitation to join evening seminars and other activities.
It seems like a little thing, but to have someone reach out and acknowledge your research background and output can be so validating.
It seems like a little thing, but to have someone reach out and acknowledge your research background and output can be so validating.
So resolution for this year is to engage more with seminars and talks happening in my institution. Meet people and get involved in the medievalist community. And hopefully get started on some projects that I have had in mind but just haven't felt the motivation to get going with.
Of course, I'll be trying to do all of this in my spare time and in addition to my day job (which I love!). Who knows how successful I will be with this new can-do attitude! And I will be battling imposter syndrome all the way.
I've always felt like an imposter, throughout my doctorate and into my publications, conferences, etc.
This has been amplified for me now because of my feeling of being an outsider, an independent scholar, of not having an academic title to hand my credentials onto.
This has been amplified for me now because of my feeling of being an outsider, an independent scholar, of not having an academic title to hand my credentials onto.
Given the state of academia and the job-market, more and more will be in my position (whether through choice or circumstance). I hope this opens up the dialogue about the value of research undertaken by those on the 'outside'.
