Bending Boundaries

Recently, hosts Ebru, Meghan and Seren have been experiencing various difficulties in our lives outside of academia that have disrupted our abilities to work on our PhDs. In this episode we want to reflect on how these difficulties have impacted us, our work, our views on academia, and how to manage future disruptions. It is inevitable to face some form of disruption along the PhD journey. We discuss just a few of those impacting us in the hope that it provides some reassurance and guidance to others. Get used to expecting the unexpected.

In this episode, hosts Ebru, Meghan and Seren talk about what it’s like to have a very personal connection to your research. A lot of researchers have some sort of personal relationship with their research, but a level of emotional ‘distance’ is expected within academic work. This can be especially difficult for researchers from marginalised backgrounds, who often study topics that relate to subjects such as inequality, injustice and hardship that they may have personally experienced.

Our guest for this episode is Max Davies, who talks with Seren about their experience doing PhD research into gender creative parenting - a parenting style that they study as a researcher and employ themself as a parent. They also discuss the need for more open communication about the emotional, intimate and messy sides of research.

You can find out what Max is up to on twitter: @MaxDavies_PHD

In this episode, hosts Ebru, Meghan and Seren discuss what it's like to do a collaborative PhD. They hear about the history of the Chinese community in Liverpool and the process of doing research with a non-academic organisation.

Our guest for this episode is Emily Beswick, who talks with Meghan about her experience working in collaboration with the Tate and the local Chinese community for her PhD. Meghan and Emily also discuss migration, positionality and arts-based research methods.

In this episode, hosts Ebru, Meghan and Seren explore what it is like to go from working outside of a university to doing a PhD. They reflect on the challenges and triumphs that can come from this, especially for those who are underrepresented in academia.

Our guest for this episode is Malika Ben Kahla, who talks with Ebru about her experience transitioning into academia after working in a number of very different roles for 10 years. Ebru and Malika also discuss Malika's research, exploring (in)equity in academia, particularly the experiences of women academics, and how to improve diversity and inclusion work within this space.

In the premier episode of Bending Boundaries, an Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) focused Podcast Series funded by the NWSSDTP, Seren Ebru and Meghan introduce themselves and their research. Seren discusses Welsh Language revival in Wales and their love of cold-water swimming. Ebru talks about how the socially constructed idea of Professionalism impacts Queer and Religious employees and the joys of fantasy novels. Meghan discusses how fatphobia influences how our cities are build, as well as her gameshow success. 

Welcome to Bending Boundaries, a brand new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion focused podcast series sponsored by the NWSSDTP.

Twitter: @bendingboundpod