This workshop aims to demystify some of the challenges of an academic career for postgraduates and early career researchers. It is designed to prompt reflection and planning, with a strong emphasis on the management of changing circumstances. It should help you to plan your strategy for the next 5-10 years, with some nods to the longer term. Balancing the demands of lecturing, researching and conferences with family, friends and ‘life’ benefits from thoughtful time management, setting goals and capturing achievements. It is not about job applications; it is about setting smart, realistic targets, making and taking opportunities and being flexible in a fast-moving world.     

It is helpful to take five minutes thinking beforehand, to focus on how you are planning your career, the targets you have met and those you would like to achieve.

Facilitator: Professor Pauline Kneale

@pekneale

pauline.kneale@plymouth.ac.uk

Pauline Kneale, awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2002, is currently Emeritus Professor at the University of Plymouth, and Honorary Visiting Professor at the University of Edge Hill and Anglia Ruskin University. She is an elected member of the SRHE Governing Council and Chair of COBRIG (Council for British Geography). Career highlights include Directing the White Rose Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning of Enterprise at the University of Leeds 2005-10, and The Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences 2009-11. In 2010 Pauline was appointed Professor of Pedagogy and Enterprise and Pro Vice-Chancellor Teaching and Learning at the University of Plymouth. In 2011 Pauline established and Directed the Pedagogic Research Institute and Observatory (PedRIO), one of the six cross Faculty University Institutes. While Director (2011-18) PEDRIO developed an excellent track record supporting staff as pedagogic researchers and creating a conference series attracting staff from many universities. 

Pauline’s research focuses on student skills, Masters level teaching, inclusive assessment and student’s experience of University. Recent research publications in collaboration with the PedRIO team and external partners have addressed: transition issues to university; the retention of non-traditional students; evaluating the role and impact of undergraduate research conferences; evaluating the impact of academic development interventions; and the position of pedagogic research in REF2014.