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Exit via the gift shop

Ratle, Olivier; Robinson, Sarah; Bristow, Alexandra

Authors

Sarah Robinson

Alexandra Bristow



Abstract

The gift shop is a collective endeavour by the editors and authors of this book, and the gifts on offer are as eclectic as the rest of the exhibition. There is plenty of the usual gift shop fare on display, but also some rather unusual items. Looking around the gift shop is another opportunity to reflect on the portraits in exhibition and consider the nature of academic careers. Within the gift shop, tensions, and contradictions abound between the shop and the gifts, consumerism, and the gift economy, the richness of academic life, and its impoverishment through commercialisation. There is tension in the question mark over whether this gift shop does not sell anything, or whether everything inside it is for sale (and very expensive). And, in the meandering movement towards the exit, there is a tension between academic careers as a drive or flight towards vacating the premises vis-à-vis the lingering sense of vocation. Browsing the gift shop, the visitor may well find something to further provoke or inspire them, or at least make them smile. Visitors are invited to become a ‘critical friend’ of the ‘Doing Academic Careers Differently Gallery’ and return regularly for inspiration, courage, and hope.

Online Publication Date Jul 28, 2023
Publication Date Jul 28, 2023
Deposit Date Mar 17, 2025
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Not Peer Reviewed
Book Title Doing Academic Careers Differently
ISBN 9781032212609
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13950093
Publisher URL https://www.routledge.com/Doing-Academic-Careers-Differently-Portraits-of-Academic-Life/Robinson-Bristow-Ratle/p/book/9781032212616?srsltid=AfmBOoogO4xiG8dzfYikQ_2pBPm71pr2XG-OBzPlua5jJCAI5ZMfXEPY