1/
Here’s why the “I’m personally paid well”, and “conditions aren’t as bad at my university” are so wrong headed. A #ucuRISING 🧵
The ultimate purpose of universities is to preserve, expand and disseminate the body of human knowledge. Expansion of this knowledge = research;
Here’s why the “I’m personally paid well”, and “conditions aren’t as bad at my university” are so wrong headed. A #ucuRISING 🧵
The ultimate purpose of universities is to preserve, expand and disseminate the body of human knowledge. Expansion of this knowledge = research;
2/
Dissemination = teaching (among other things), and the two are of course linked. And all three would not be possible without our amazing PS staff who are so often overlooked.
All of these things are, at heart, a collaborative endeavour. Academia is an ecosystem which can’t
Dissemination = teaching (among other things), and the two are of course linked. And all three would not be possible without our amazing PS staff who are so often overlooked.
All of these things are, at heart, a collaborative endeavour. Academia is an ecosystem which can’t
3/
survive and function without collaboration - not only with people in my own dept or in my own area of expertise, but with ppl at other institutions and with other expertise.
I can’t do my research, develop my teaching, assist my students properly if colleagues (here and
survive and function without collaboration - not only with people in my own dept or in my own area of expertise, but with ppl at other institutions and with other expertise.
I can’t do my research, develop my teaching, assist my students properly if colleagues (here and
4/
elsewhere) are overworked to the point of exhaustion; are so burdened by financial constraints that they can’t concentrate; are so disillusioned by working conditions that they leave the sector as together.
So, ultimately, it doesn’t matter that I personally am paid well.
elsewhere) are overworked to the point of exhaustion; are so burdened by financial constraints that they can’t concentrate; are so disillusioned by working conditions that they leave the sector as together.
So, ultimately, it doesn’t matter that I personally am paid well.
5/
It doesn’t matter that my institution doesn’t engage in some of the heinous practices that some others do (like sub contracting out a lot of teaching).
Each of us succeeds or fails as a part of this greater whole - not as a result of our own smarts or whatever.
It doesn’t matter that my institution doesn’t engage in some of the heinous practices that some others do (like sub contracting out a lot of teaching).
Each of us succeeds or fails as a part of this greater whole - not as a result of our own smarts or whatever.
6/
Sadly too many people in academia think that they have succeeded purely as a result of their own genius, and that others ‘fail’ because their research (let’s face it, it’s often about research) isn’t as good, or impactful. This is why the ecosystem metaphor is useful, I think.
Sadly too many people in academia think that they have succeeded purely as a result of their own genius, and that others ‘fail’ because their research (let’s face it, it’s often about research) isn’t as good, or impactful. This is why the ecosystem metaphor is useful, I think.
7/
If our libraries weren’t maintained and developed; if our IT systems failed; if we couldn’t get assistance with grant applications and administration; if there weren’t support services to which to direct our students; and many many more, then none of us would succeed. PS staff
If our libraries weren’t maintained and developed; if our IT systems failed; if we couldn’t get assistance with grant applications and administration; if there weren’t support services to which to direct our students; and many many more, then none of us would succeed. PS staff
8/8
are every bit as vital to the ultimate purpose of universities as researchers and teachers are. And we all deserve working conditions that facilitate playing our part in that purpose.
Here endeth the lesson.
#ucuRISING
are every bit as vital to the ultimate purpose of universities as researchers and teachers are. And we all deserve working conditions that facilitate playing our part in that purpose.
Here endeth the lesson.
#ucuRISING
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