Survival Guide for Early Career Researchers

Description

Navigating research careers is often highly challenging for early career researchers (ECRs) in the social sciences. The ability to thrive in research careers is complex and requires "soft" people and management skills and resilience that often cannot be formally taught through university coursework. Written from a peer perspective, this book provides guidance and establishes emotional rapport on topical issues relevant for ECRs in academia and industry. The authors are ECRs who have been successful in navigating their careers, and they seek to connect with readers in a supportive and collegial manner. Each chapter includes elements of story-telling and scientific thinking and is organized into three parts: (1) a personal story that is relevant to the topic; (2) key content on professional and personal effectiveness based on evidence in the psychological, sociological, and/or management sciences; and (3) action points and practical recommendations. The topics covered are specifically curated for people considering undertaking research careers or already working in research, including: Work Hard, Snore Hard: Recovery from Work for Early Career ResearchersNetworking and Collaborating in Academia: Increasing Your Scientific Impact and Having Fun in the Process Accelerating Your Research Career with Open ScienceEngaging with the Press and MediaMake Your Science Go Viral: How to Maximize the Impact of Your ResearchExploring the Horizon: Navigating Research Careers Outside of AcademiaThinking like an Implementation Scientist and Applying Your Research in Practice Survival Guide for Early Career Researchers summarizes relevant evidence-based research to offer advice in strategic but also supportive ways to ECRs. It is an essential go-to practical resource for PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty. This book will also benefit senior researchers who are serving as mentors or delivering professional development programs, administrators and educators in institutions of higher learning, and anyone with an interest in building a successful research career. Foreword by Barr Taylor Foreword by Rita McMorrow Contents About the Editors and Contributors Editors Contributors Chapter 1: Introduction: A Practical Guide on How to Survive and Thrive as an Early Career Researcher Part I: It’s All About You! Part II: Research Skills and Competencies Part III: Research Dissemination Part IV: Research Outside of Academia Part I: It’s All About You! Chapter 2: Setting Up for a Thriving Career: Assessing Your Scholarly Identity and Institutional Environment Introduction What Is Considered a Thriving Career? Thriving Is About Timing Thriving Is About Not Allowing Fear to Take Over Thriving Is About Learning Assessing Your Scholarly Identity Assessing Your Institutional Environment Types of Higher Education Institutions Research and Funding Activities Teaching and Mentoring Activities Service Activities Professional Development Resources Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 3: Developing and Maintaining Healthy Work–Life Balance for Early Career Researchers Introduction Varied Perspectives and Insights Work–Life Balance: Finding What that Means for You Why Is Work–Life Balance Important? Navigating Others’ Expectations of You Use Technology to Your Advantage Social Support Effectively Using Your “Work” Time to Maximize Your “Life” Time Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 4: Work Hard, Snore Hard: Recovery from Work for Early Career Researchers Introduction Effort and Recovery Recovery Experiences and Activities Psychological Detachment Relaxation Mastery Control Experiences Sleeping Making Your Boss and Colleagues Work Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 5: Achieving Balance Between Research, Teaching, and Service at Work Introduction Explanations for an Imbalance Between the Three Pillars of Academia Explanation #1: “My Colleagues Do It, So It Must Be the Normal Thing To Do?” Explanation #2: “If a Perceived Authority Asks It, I Must Do It, Right?” Explanation #3: “I Want to Engage in This Activity!” Intermezzo Possible Strategies for Balancing Between the Three Pillars of Academia Strategy #1: Increase Job Control Strategy #2: Create a Support Network Strategy #3: Job Management Strategy #4: Evaluate the Added Value Conclusions and Practical Recommendations Bonus Tips from Our Colleagues on Balancing the Three Pillars of Academia References Chapter 6: Climbing the Invisible Ladder: Advancing Your Career as a Woman in Science Introduction Why Supporting Women in Science Should Be a Universal Priority What Is Driving Poor Representation and Retention of Women in Science? How Can Women Take Their Careers into Their Own Hands? Don’t Count Yourself Out – How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome Don’t Hold Yourself Back – How to Increase Your Visibility Don’t Do It Alone – How to Seek Out Mentorship and Sponsorship Don’t Fly Blind – How to Create Your Career Strategy Don’t Let the Inspiration Fade – How to Make a Plan Leverage the Science of Fresh Starts Open Up a New Mental Account for Professional Change Understand How to Put Your Plan Into Practice Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Part II: Research Skills and Competencies Chapter 7: Managing Research Projects Introduction Managing from Small- to Large-Scale Research Projects What Is Project Management and Why Is It Important? Managing Time Managing the Process Admin and Data Management Forecast the Risks Finishing Up Managing People Supervising Your Supervisors and Coping with Colleagues Create a Communication Plan Meetings Influencing Stakeholders Managing Your Mental Health Conclusion and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 8: Networking and Collaborating in Academia: Increasing Your Scientific Impact and Having Fun in the Process Introduction Why Is Networking Important? How to Network and Build Effective Collaborations – Core Principles Principle 1: Openness Principle 2: Managing Expectations Principle 3: Enjoyment How to Network and Build Effective Collaborations – Some Practical Pointers Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 9: Accelerating Your Research Career with Open Science Introduction What Is Open Science? Global Initiatives to Increase Open Science How Can Open Science Help Your Career? Open Science Helps to Avoid Disaster Open Science Helps Reviewers See It Your Way Open Science Helps to Build Your Reputation Open Science Helps You Build Your Research Competence Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 10: Being Agile: Honing New Skills and Fostering Curiosity for Increased Scientific Impact Introduction Being Agile During the COVID-19 Pandemic Balancing Skills Acquisition with the Need to Produce New Evidence Swimming Against the Current Following the Science and Fostering Curiosity Learning from Constructive Feedback Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 11: To Come, to See, to Conquer: Practical Pointers in Applying for Funding and Securing Your Initial Grants Introduction Target Your Efforts Recognize and Mobilize the Resources at Your Disposal Make It Resonate Please, Tick the Boxes! Where Does All This Leave Us? Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Part III: Research Dissemination Chapter 12: Being an Effective Writer My Story of Becoming an Effective Writer Writing Experiences, Skills, and Habits Types of Academic Writing Writing in a Multicultural Environment Writing Habits How to Start and Finish a Writing Project Effective Writing Resources Action Points for Effective Writers Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 13: Dealing with Rejection: Critical Thinking, Constructive Feedback, and Criticism in the Peer-Review Process Introduction Dealing with Rejection Critical Thinking Dispositions of Critical Thinkers Abilities of Critical Thinkers Constructive Feedback Criticism The Role of Organisations and Individuals in Dealing with Rejections Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 14: Presenting and Speaking About Your Work Introduction Interpersonal Resonance Pillar I – Mind–Body Connection Prepare Your Nervous System Deliver with Flow Pillar II – Celebrate Your Audience Find the Frame Tell the Story Design an Experience Pillar III – Practice Academic Audiences Industry Audiences Students Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 15: Engaging with the Press and Media Introduction Why Go to the Media? Common Pitfalls in the Media Making Your Message ‘Media-Ready’ Media Training Practical Tips for Interacting with the Media Broadcasting from Home Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 16: Make Your Science Go Viral: How to Maximize the Impact of Your Research Introduction How to Make Your Science Go Viral Level 1: Do It for the Love Meaning Makes Ideas Contagious Every Extra Eyeball Counts Things Get Shared When They Are Easy to Process and Emotional Level 2: Get One View On Anything Check Your Views Level 3: Get Ten Views on Something Online, People Skim-Read Level 4: Reach 100 People with Your Science Writing an Article for a Popular Outlet Is a Shortcut Building Your Own Audience Gradually Takes Times Unfortunately, It Is Much Easier to Increase Your Impact If You Post on Social Media You Already Have a Network! Level 5: Reach 1,000 People with Your Science People Forage for Information Like They Forage for Food...Lazily Lower Interaction Cost Minimize Cognitive Load Some Examples of Low Interaction Cost, High-Value Products Level 6: Reach 10,000 People with Your Science Level 7: Reaching 100,000 People and Beyond Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Part IV: Research Outside of Academia Chapter 17: Exploring the Horizon: Navigating Research Careers Outside of Academia The Stories We Tell Ourselves Forks in the Road Push or Pull? Navigating the Maze of Options Learning and Unlearning Collaboration and Creativity Start-Ups as Centres of Knowledge Production Conclusions and Recommendations References Chapter 18: An Alternative Career Path: Research and Evaluation in the Health Service and Not-for-Profit Sectors Introduction The Job, the Skills Required and a Note on Mentorship The Challenges The Extra Stuff Knowledge Translation Publishing and Grants Opportunities for Doctoral Graduates in Industry Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 19: Asking Why and Saying Yes: How to Make Career Decisions Strategically Why a Research Career? Turning Roadblocks into Opportunities Knowing Your ‘Why’: What Is Your Reason Evaluating Your ‘Doors’ Why Saying Yes Is Important Kindness: The One Word that Should Be Guiding Your Life Career Reflecting on the Opportunities Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 20: How to Engage the Public in Research Introduction Defining Engagement Why Involve the Public in Research? Principles of Stakeholder and Community Engagement Planning for Engagement Conclusions and Practical Recommendations References Chapter 21: Thinking Like an Implementation Scientist and Applying Your Research in Practice Introduction What Is Implementation Science? Filling in Gaps: Identifying an Implementation Research Question Building and Sustaining Research-Practice Partnerships Implementing an Intervention: Testing Implementation Strategies and Monitoring Adaptations Measuring Success: Implementation Outcomes Sustaining an Intervention in Practice Conclusions: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Best Practices References Chapter 22: Final Thoughts: A Fulfilling Scholarly Career Self-Discovery Building Your Support Team Having a Strategy Having an Impact Summary Index