goddoc
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« on: June 09, 2009, 03:42:02 AM » |
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I'm coming to the final year of a three year fixed term lectureship in the humanities. I had hoped that the University would be able to extend my position, but my department didn't perform as well as they'd hoped in the RAE and as a consequence there's not going to be enough cash around to keep me on. A permanent post at my level has come up in another department in my School and the head of School has admonished me to apply. It's not a huge stretch to move from my discipline to this other one. I already teach the odd module for that department and my research has raised issues in that subject area as well. It seems like a no brainer, I suppose, but for some reason I'm worried about applying for this post.
I'm concerned that by leaving my department I'll be leaving my discipline, my contacts, and professional associations. Moreover, I don't know if the postgraduate students that I attract (I have three PhDs starting next year) would want to study with me in Department X if they came to do a PhD in Department Y.
I wonder if anyone else has experience with moving from one humanities department to another and if you can comment on how this has affected your disciplinary and professional identities. I would like to think that one's sense of disciplinary fidelity transcends departmental affiliation, yet I know how catty and territorial we academics can be.
Ta,
GD
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daniel_von_flanagan
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« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2009, 04:09:26 AM » |
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Admonished? don't know if the postgraduate students that I attract (I have three PhDs starting next year) would want to study with me in Department X if they came to do a PhD in Department Y. I expect they'll prefer to study with you in Department X than down at the pub while you're on the dole. If your choice is Dept. X or unemployment then it really isn't a choice, is it? If they want a degree in subject X they might not want to study with you if it means a degree in subject Y instead. However, it sounds like Y is a more secure field in which to get a degree...? - DvF |
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wegie
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« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2009, 04:22:33 AM » |
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Moreover, I don't know if the postgraduate students that I attract (I have three PhDs starting next year) would want to study with me in Department X if they came to do a PhD in Department Y.
Are they funded? If they are, your current department will fight tooth and nail to keep the funding. In fact, the funding may be contingent on them studying in Department Y. |
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goddoc
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« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2009, 04:28:47 AM » |
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DvF - yes, admonished.
Wegie - no, the PhDs are self funded OR funded by their professional bodies. I don't imagine that there would be much of a fight about funding, though I know that my current department would be less than chuffed to see PGRs head to the other side of the hall.
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babbinacara
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« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2009, 08:24:21 AM » |
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I've switched departments (my post was moved with me in it, for financial reasons). No problem at all in terms of discipline and identity. (Changing course regulations and logistics, well, that's another story.)
You will be at the same university, so what's to stop you talking to colleagues in your old department, and contacts generally? Professional associations? Those aren't concerned with what department your job happens to be in. And your research must be a bit interdisciplinary anyway, for you to be able to plausibly apply for a post in another department, so you won't be leaving your discipline either.
The only issue might be graduate students, but you could investigate whether your university allows a co-supervising arrangement. Students stay in your former dept (to which they have applied) and have a supervisor or advisor there, but keep you as their (main) supervisor. Good luck.
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genevoise
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« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2009, 03:30:59 PM » |
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How can you admonish someone to do something? I can see how one would be admonished for doing something; but admonish to?
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the_walrus
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« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2009, 05:44:35 AM » |
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secretweapon
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« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2009, 06:07:09 AM » |
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You're applying to jobs in other universities too, right?
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goddoc
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« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2009, 03:06:36 AM » |
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Secretweapon,
I am applying for posts, but within my field there have only been three permanent posts listed in the last two months. Three! The shortage of jobs in my discipline is part of the reason I'm considering a defection. I feel badly for my PhD students who, with wide-eyed optimism, think they'll easily transition into an academic job after their studies.
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goddoc
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« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2009, 02:54:15 AM » |
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Just an update. I applied and did not get short listed. Though colleauges were keen and head of dept confident; the DVC didn't think that hiring an out of discipline lecturer made good sense in light of the REF. Back to the drawing board.
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secretweapon
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« Reply #10 on: July 04, 2009, 10:27:04 AM » |
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Sorry to hear that, Goddoc. Good luck with the continued search!
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