Testing the limits of your Academic Life, or, Why you should stop talking to yourself

As researchers and teachers we pride ourselves on the ability to communicate ideas clearly and precisely. Yet for the most part, the articles we write and the classes we teach are, by their nature, directed at an ‘insider audience’. We publish with the approval of peers, we teach cohorts of students training in our own disciplines.

What would happen if you brought your ideas to a different audience? Can you imagine reframing your work for another purpose or context? Who could it reach? What might you learn?

This session offers an opportunity to think through and discuss these questions. Participants will discuss their hesitations and ambitions around reimagining their work beyond the traditional academic context. We’ll talk about the benefits and challenges of breaking out of an academic ‘comfort zone’, thinking through practical strategies and realistic targets.

As part of the session I’ll discuss two case studies from my own recent experience, writing an article for The Washington Post and performing an essay on BBC Radio 4. Both of these opportunities challenged my working practices and forced me to re-think how I write about, and speak about, my ideas.

What would these opportunities look like in your field? Are there charities, broadcasters, or media organisations you could work with? Could the challenge of writing in a different context help to sharpen your academic publications? How might your students benefit from seeing your work in a new light?

Presented by: Dr Claire Lynch, Reader in English, Arts and Humanities

Aims & Objectives