From researching professional to professional researcher: Learning the rules of the game

Clark, Tim

Abstract

Professional doctorates have been characterised as distinct from traditional PhD routes due to their intended focus on developing ‘researching professionals’ as opposed to ‘professional researchers’ (Butcher & Sieminski, 2006). This chapter provides a reflection on my personal transition from a professional doctoral student in education and a professional role as a leader in early education, to an early career researcher role in a UK university. Highlighting the potential limitations of professional doctorates in terms of academic socialisation, I conceptualise the transition to the role of professional researcher as a process of learning to play a new game, involving hidden rules and navigating a series of hurdles, relating to identity, productivity and performance. In response to these, I reflect that prioritising the development of collegial relationships, focussing on honesty and seeking to directly influence research culture all have a key role in terms of self-care and wellbeing as collective considerations.

Citation

Clark, T. (in press). From researching professional to professional researcher: Learning the rules of the game. In Navigating transitions in higher education: The place of wellbeing and self-care. Routledge

• Acceptance Date: Dec 8, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 16, 2024
• Book Title: Navigating transitions in higher education: The place of wellbeing and self-care
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11616580