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The one bit of advice that I'd give anyone struggling with academic work right now is to seek out mentors and colleagues who can be honest as well as positive with you. Whether it's about finding work, prospects for work, or some other difficulties, it's never a mistake. 1/
I think, especially for people enrolled in a doctorate, the circumstances at the moment can seem dire and unfathomable. The best answer I can give is to keep talking to us, as your supervisors as your colleagues and for people in that mentoring role, as your mentors. 2/
I've been an academic for nearly 28 years, I've run a research centre, connected w/Communities and Communities of Practice, many PhD completions, 17 nat grants, taught across multiple disciplines, & have a solid arts/pubs practice. I don't have easy answers, but I'm here. 3/
If you're struggling in seeing value in your academic work as an ECR, MCR, PhD or Masters student, or an undergrad... do talk to people about it. I can attest that it can make a lot of things better, but also can help you decide the next steps, even if not your entire future. 4/
I know this might sound a bit pithy and 'helpful', but I'm honestly not suggesting that you just randomly get in touch with anyone. I think what we need now is strategy. Reaching out to people who understand our circumstances is more valuable than reaching out for reassurance. 5/
I also think you don't always get the best advice from who you expect. When I started to tell my workplace, family and others about my gender, I now realise some comments were lovingly coded 'shut up, don't tell anyone'. It was probably wise advice, but also incredibly wrong. 6/
Yindymarra Winhanganha is not just a lovely saying. I realise now that I can choose to take it seriously, or I can choose comfort. And you don't help anyone or yourself by never changing and being literally conservative. You have to make a world worth living in for others. 7/
The people I respect most in the world - it is no coincidence to me - are the people who have really supported me through the last tricky few months. This is why I know there are people out there who can, and do, provide this. @DrSRP1 and @ClareArcherLean were that yesterday. 8/
But I have some solid advice here as well... if someone is a problem in your life - even a colleague - you can block them on social media. You can. And actually you should. And you can gravitate towards people who edify and make your world better, and give you useful truth. 9/
It doesn't mean you don't respect them as colleagues or people. But you can curate the noise around your engagement. I'm not talking about crappy sub-tweeters here (definitely block them). I mean good people who for whatever reason you don't want to engage with right now. 10/
Even if that person is me, especially if that person is me. I wouldn't be at all offended. What good colleagues, community members, friends,family want for you is for you to find the path you need regardless of their own egos. While this is 100% projection, it's also true. 11/
But also, demand stuff. I'm behind on things cos I've been flat out with one particular part of my work, and I am only now getting to things I should have weeks ago (& this, lol). But that doesn't let me off the hook for support and engagement. If I can tweet, I can support. 12/
Oh for lucky 13... in honour of this whole tweetstream, I am going through and blocking people now. And, honestly, it's feeling pretty good. I have one person who when I tweeted a piece I wrote on suicide, instead of asking how I was, ran off to tell my boss. Blocked! 13/
Real suggestions: find informal or formal groups across your research or teaching areas (if you don't know, ask across tweets?). I love @researchwhisper (who just tweeted this, but I loved them before!) for their actual many-disciplinary help for researchers at all stages. 14/
