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I’ve been very reflective of late. Not all of this has been productive or helpful, in fact it has often been overwhelming. This year has been tough. Really tough. From bushfires to floods and now a pandemic that has wreaked destruction on the health and livelihoods of so many
On top of this, universities in Australia, unsupported by a government doing its utmost to punish the sector, are now actioning devastating cuts, cuts that will inevitably see the loss of exceptional scholars, colleagues and friends to uncertain futures
I have been reeling from recent news from my own university that 500 colleagues will lose their jobs, and my faculty reconfigured into a new amalgam of loosely or unrelated disciplines. It’s a lot to deal with. BUT I work with some amazing people. I mean truly inspirational.
So, today, to stave off the gloom, I want to focus on some positives, and tell you about some incredible friends, family and colleagues who have kept me going and made me a better person (and hopefully scholar) this year. We don't do this enough.
To start, I submitted my first monograph in the first few days of the year. I was evacuated from the bushfires on the South coast the day it was due. I had barely slept in the preceding two weeks – locked in an office with coffee and my laptop
The sacrifices Michelle and Grace made were beyond. Any academic will know what I mean. Our world often forces us to be selfish. Time with family can be collateral. A silver lining of working from home has been spending more time with my little firecracker and beautiful wife
@s_tomsen was also immense during this time, as he has been throughout my career. An incredible mentor and friend, he was a constant guiding force in getting me through the book. It’s going to be released in a few days and I know it's much better because of his thoughtful support
Also on the writing front, I have been lucky to work with one of the best colleagues you could have - @napoifis. We edited a collection together this year with @SSchmeidl and @K_Spurway.
Anyone who has had anything to do with Nick will know what a legend he is. Writing with him was a privilege and has inspired me. I am super proud of the end product and can’t wait to share it with everyone else later this year.
@napoifis has also been a staunch advocate during these tumultuous times. Alongside fierce and exceptional peers ( @AKaladelfos, Naama, @KevDertadian, @WillClapton, @CarolineLenette+many more), my colleagues have been there when it mattered, and it's made a massive difference.
I have also been galvanised by the activism and solidarity of many around me. I am motivated by exceptional students working to make a difference despite their own challenges. @unswcrimsoc are but one inspirational example, currently filming a 9-part series in support of #BLM
I am grateful for, and energised by, strong leadership in my School. Among others, @Janbreck has, despite untold (no doubt literally) challenges, led our School with an honesty and openness rarely experienced.
Finally, my colleagues in criminology have been immense, as have many in SOSS and around the university who constantly check-in + are just generally exceptional. This generosity and care is needed more than ever. Please keep standing in solidarity - it means more than you know.
