Petra Boynton Profile picture
May 4 9 tweets 2 min read
Academics! About to recommend a colleague to help someone else with their teaching, research or events? Please check first that said colleague has time and capacity to assist. And make anyone you're referring to them aware that they shouldn't be expecting anyone to work for free
"_______ said you'd be able to help me with..." is the starter of so many emails I get.
When _________ is any number of academics who've not checked first if I'm willing, able or qualified to assist.
Be as swift at putting someone forward for paid work using their expertise as you are to give their details to answer someone else's questions you don't want to deal with.
Encouraging people to contact colleagues with questions that said colleagues have already answered in free or paid for resources is making additional unpaid work for already busy colleagues. Recommend their books, blogs, training, toolkits and events instead!
Putting people forward for paid work, or other voluntary things they've specified they're interested in - alongside recommending and amplifying their work - is really important and useful. Check they're in a place to accept opportunities and do that more ☺️
Questions to ask before we send people (particularly students) to ask colleagues for unpaid advice
- has my colleague said they're open to help?
- how will this benefit my colleague?
- could I hire my colleague to help?
- am I pushing work I don't want to do onto my colleague?
If we're getting a lot of requests we're passing on we can check our own support mechanisms and employment issues if we're overwhelmed.
We can also answer FAQs online and signpost to additional materials that might help people rather than assuming a colleague can do this.
If you want to direct a student or someone else with a request for help on to a colleague and aren’t sure if it’s something the colleague has the time, energy or skills to deal with then you should approach the colleague and ask. Never assume or promise assistance on their behalf
All of this ⬆️ is a #ResearchTip 😊

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More from @DrPetra

May 5
I’ve been training people in how to peer review today.

Here are the top things they didn’t know before the class that they thought you might find helpful 🧵 #AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter #gradschool #PhDChat #HigherEd #ResearchTip
1. Peer reviewing is an essential research skill. And as with any skill it takes tuition, time, practice, respect and accountability to get right. The more you do it the better you’ll be.

#AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter #gradschool #PhDChat #HigherEd #ResearchTip
2. Peer reviewing doesn’t just benefit the person who’s work you’re checking. The more research proposals and publications you review the better your research will become.
#AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter #gradschool #PhDChat #HigherEd #ResearchTip
Read 27 tweets
May 4
Today’s #ResearchTip is if you’re applying for grants remember many funders include on their websites
- instructions for applicants
- details of existing funded projects
- FAQs
- contact person
All of these are for you to use! 😀
#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #gradschool
Also if you’re seeking funding and aren’t sure what to do, seek out
- training in your uni/organisation
- support from professional bodies
- videos/guides others have shared online
- library services
- reading other people’s successful applications
- grant planning workshops
Sometimes people who’ve successfully applied for funds you are seeking will explain how they managed to get their cash and/or show you their applications. Don’t assume all have the time/energy to do this and ensure you can reciprocate in some way.
Read 5 tweets
May 4
This #MaternalMentalHealthWeek a reminder in Zara Ahmed’s words “people everywhere want, need and find ways to get abortions” nbcnews.com/think/amp/ncna…

Discussions, plans, or actions to ban abortion do not mean abortions don’t happen.
Access to abortion and reproductive rights vary by country and state and your choices will vary based on many factors including law, finances, transportation, healthcare access, faith and culture, personal freedoms and safety. And above all else luck reproductiverights.org/maps/worlds-ab…
There are many reasons to have an abortion - all of them are valid. There aren’t some reasons that are more appropriate or worthy than others. Depending on the circumstances of why you need an abortion it may be a relief,upsetting,or both. Nobody should judge reasons or feelings
Read 13 tweets
May 3
Your regular reminder that just because people aren't posting about issues on social media it doesn't mean they don't care or aren't directly affected. They may be coping, in their own way, in places you're not privy to.
Sometimes our anger with others for not sharing or responding to events as we would do isn't really about them but is about our own frustration and trauma. It's absolutely appropriate for us to attend to ourselves in these cases.
Some people gain comfort, recognition and solidarity from publicly sharing their feelings, stories and activities. Others get the same comfort by keeping their feelings, stories and activities private. Criticising the latter for 'not understanding' is unfair and inaccurate
Read 14 tweets
Apr 25
Thinking of writing an academic book? There's been a lot of chat about academic publishing on Twitter recently. I'd like to give you some further insights into book sales based on my experiences.
First, a test. How many copies of my 3 books do you think I've sold since 2016?
To help you answer the question above my 3 books are on popular topics:
The Research Companion: a practical guide for the social sciences,health and development,2nd Ed 2016
Coping With Pregnancy Loss,2018
Being Well In Academia: ways to feel stronger,safer and more connected,2020
The Research Companion's a friendly how-to guide to make studies more ethical,effective and safe
Coping With Pregnancy Loss is informed by my experiences and is a practical,gentle guide for anyone who's had a miscarriage or stillbirth
Being Well In Academia's a survival handbook
Read 37 tweets
Apr 25
Today’s #ResearchTip is just because you work or study in a uni,doesn’t mean you’ll find friendships, relationships, family, or peers easy. None of us are immune to problems. Don’t put off seeking help because you’re afraid of not seeming perfect #AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter
IME there’s something about academia that makes us feel everyone working or studying there is somehow either immune to problems or will be very good at solving friendship, relationship or family problems. Whereas the reality is personal problems are very common.
Academics are often poor at comprehension and communication (I know, right! It’s literally our job and yet we’re not great at it). That can make things difficult. Plus there’s pressure to not bring our personal lives to work. Ignoring how academia causes or worsens our problems
Read 7 tweets

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