Spotlight on the RDF: “Collegiality”

In one of our occasional series of “Spotlight on…” posts, we take a closer look at a specific descriptor from the RDF. Each one of the sixty-three descriptors in Vitae‘s Researcher Development Framework (RDF) is a characteristic of an excellent researcher, and we’ll be looking at how UoB PGRs can develop these characteristics.

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Research, and particularly postgraduate research, can be a lonely business. Each PGR is answering unique research questions. A lot of (if not all) day-to-day activity is carried out on an individual basis. So who are our colleagues? What should our relationship be with them? How might we develop that relationship? Does it even matter?

The RDF puts collegiality in domain D (engagement, influence and impact) and sub-domain D1 (working with others) and the phases for this descriptor are:

1. Shows consideration to others; Listens, gives and receives feedback and responds perceptively to others.
2. Is approachable, demonstrates interpersonal sensitivity; Ensures everyone has a shared understanding.
3. Keeps people informed of wider institutional issues; Promotes collegiality, regardless of status; Engages in supportive peer review with colleagues.
4. & 5. Exemplar for collegial behaviour in department/institution; Cascades knowledge; Solicits and attends to feedback from colleagues at all levels.

So far, so wishy-washy. The first couple of phases can be summed up by “don’t be a dick“, and then it sort of seems to say that you can be collegiate by being collegiate…

So I thought I might give you my interpretation of what it means to be collegiate as a PGR.

The single most important thing you can do as a PGR is to surround yourself with people. Support from others, in all its different forms, is going to make all the difference to you, through both your research and your wellbeing. But I think of collegiality as a specific part of this which has two key components. Firstly, it involves primarily that part of your network which surrounds you in your department or School. The people that might, in some contexts, be called “colleagues”. In the past, it might have been the people who share your office corridor, building or common room, but who may not seem immediately useful. Secondly, it is about reciprocity, so as much as you will benefit from having good working and social relationships with your colleagues, they will also benefit from you being an active part of their network. Collegiality is therefore part of creating and maintaining an effective, welcoming, and vibrant research culture and everyone can do their bit.

There are lots of ways that you can be collegiate in your area, including:

• Cultivate successful relationships with all the members of your supervisory team, including your mentor.
• Get involved in departmental activities, such as research seminars, and encourage others to do the same.
• If you can, spend time in your department on campus, working in a hot-desking room or shared PGR office.
• Meet up for coffee (virtually or in person) occasionally with the people around you and let the conversation go where it will. Take it as an opportunity to check in on someone’s wellbeing – ask twice.
• When you develop your skills, proactively think about how you can share your learning with others in your department.
• Look out for and participate in EDI initiatives such as the UoB LGBTQ Ally Scheme, or the Staff Networks, and again, share your learning within your department.

What does being collegiate mean to you? Who do you think of as your colleagues and how do you practice collegiality?

2024: a year of good enough

Happy New Year! Despite it being a bit of a cliché, there’s something about a new calendar year and the promise of longer days ahead which makes it feel like a good time to make promises to ourselves about the future. Here’s my suggestion to you for 2024: this is the year you will be good enough.

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The media is full of suggestions on how we can be The Best but this year, how about focussing on being good enough?

It doesn’t matter how long you spend writing, re-working and editing your writing, it won’t survive an encounter with your supervisor (or examiners or peer reviewers) completely unscathed. And quite rightly, too – it will be improved by being seen by fresh eyes or by taking into account a different viewpoint. So don’t waste time on trying to make your writing perfect, just ask yourself, is this good enough for review? If you’re concerned that the lack of polish will affect the feedback you receive, be specific about what you need: is the overall structure about right? do the key arguments make sense? have I included enough criticism and synthesis in this literature review?

This shift in perspective can also help when you experience an overwhelming urge to compare yourself to colleagues. Everyone’s research is unique, so of course your skills and expertise will also be unique to you. You don’t need to be the best at anything, only good enough to carry out your unique research tasks. When planning your development activities, plan what you need to be good enough, rather than spending time over-shooting what’s required. In many cases, this will indeed result in you becoming a local expert in a particular skill or method, but there’s no need to make that your key aim or to worry if it doesn’t.

Often, a desire to do things brilliantly acts as an inhibitor to getting things done at all – as many procrastinators will know to their cost. Reminding yourself that the task you are trying to start only needs to be good enough can remove a powerful barrier. A first draft only has to exist. Good enough work is infinitely better than no work. Let go of your inner perfectionist and find increased productivity.

There are all sorts of areas of your life where trying to be good enough rather than the best can help: browsing job vacancies, parenting, housework, keeping in touch with friends, to name just a few more. Be proud of what you can achieve and stop yearning for perfection.

In 2024, good enough is good enough.