Transitioning: riding the wave

A/Prof Karen StagnittiHDR CoordinatorSchool of Health and Social Development

13th October, 2011

This presentation is aboutThe transition from HDR to ECR and how to recognise

opportunities along the way

I’ll cover conferences, networking and publishing

The three other speakers are all covering publishing as well.

I will take you through my experience

Where it started> I started and completed my PhD research in a rural city> I started when my children were in primary school and I

graduated when my eldest child was in first year university

> The journey was interesting to say the least!> Over the course of my Phd I had 6 supervisors (some

beyond my control) and transferred universities.

Tip 1: have something to say> I was a part-time paediatric occupational therapist working

in early childhood intervention and my PhD research was on a topic that was directly related to a clinical problem

> “How do you assess accurately a child’s play?”

> Wave: Have something to say, to contribute

> In paediatrics play is now a ‘hot’ topic> It is now apparent that across many disciplines, this was a

common problem.

Tip 2: have something to say no matter where you live> Warrnambool: lovely place to live, but you only have a

brain if you live in Melbourne> I was isolated during my PhD

Wave: > For people who live overseas (or interstate) – they don’t

care where you live> They care about what you write and what you can

contribute to the field!

Tip 3: have something to say that extends beyond the PhD> If you plan a career in research or as an academic, I have

found it extremely helpful that my PhD was just the beginning

> Foundational research in the PhD is now being built on and extended (for me – into other age groups, across clinical and social conditions)

> Passion: it will keep you going> Change your area – passion with something to say and

contribute

Tip 4: recognise opportunities and take them!> Opportunities come along - but you need to be publishing

or presenting at conferences (or no-one knows about you or your work)

> Recognise opportunities – step up to them

> During my PhD a little library card arrived at the office in Warrnambool requesting a journal publication. It was from a Charles Schaefer from New York State, USA.

Wave: step out

Tip 5: opportunities come as people get to know you> People know your work by:

> Publications and presentation> People know you by:

> Meeting you, > You answering their email

Networking> Target conferences where you want to meet someone in

particular – so say ‘hello’ (could be the next wave)> Target conferences on your topic

Tip 6: networking can lead to more publications> In my experience this is particularly so for books and book

chapters> (In my field books and book chapters are important

publication sources)

> You get invited to contribute a book chapter> If you are meet your deadlines, meet the style

requirements, and be gracious (you usually only get a ‘free’ book for contributing)

> Books: you either get invited or you put in a proposal> Publishers are more likely to take note of your proposal if

you have published before and have a profile in the field

Tip 7: Develop your own personal strategy> Consider:

> Your field> Your vision of success> Where you want to be in 5 years, 10 years> Where for you, is it important to publish?

> (journals, books, chapters, magazines, blogs)> What are your constraints?

> Time? Experience? Self belief?

Tip 8: Ride the wave> Publish> Network> Go to conferences, say hello> Take chances – some work, some don’t> Understand an opportunity

> Not everything will work out but there are joys along the way

> Work hard – sorry, no other option (unless you want to only surf – literally)

THANKSQuestions?