Conference Blog
Some of our PGR/ECR attendees have provided short reflections on their experience at the conference, particularly the 'PGR Workshop' on day one. This page will be updated regularly as we received blog post submissions.
This summer, I attended the SGSAH-funded workshop, ‘Establishing yourself as a PGR: Networking and CV building’, as part of the ‘Understanding King James VI & I 400 Years On’ Conference at the University of Glasgow. The session focused on effective CV building and offering advice on approaching job applications and project proposals. We heard from four experts in academia and the heritage sector: Steven Reid (University of Glasgow), Anna Groundwater (National Museum of Scotland), Anne Dulau (The Hunterian), and Annalisa
Martin (Leverhulme Early Career Fellow).
The key takeaway was that securing work and funding in academia, museums, and heritage is highly competitive (and increasingly so). Candidates will often have similar or equivalent qualifications and reasons they should be hired. Therefore, having relevant practical experience is crucial.
As PGRs and ECRs, we were advised to seek out existing projects to apply to or offer help on. Volunteering can be a great way to get your foot in the door at an institution or within a field. It enables you to get exposure, build and reinforce your network, prove your worth and establish your niche. We were encouraged to be open to following new and unfamiliar avenues, such as engaging in interdisciplinary collaborations, which can help you broaden your skills and expertise. Once you have secured a place on a project, it is essential to clarify your expectations, intended involvement, and responsibilities from the outset, and to be a team player throughout.
At the same time, you should be discerning in seeking out opportunities. Taking on too much means it is unlikely that you will be able to give the necessary time and attention to each task, and it can ultimately lead to burnout. As I enter the final year of my PhD and continue planning my next steps towards a career in
academia, I left this workshop better informed on how to stand out in the crowded job
market.
Charlie Spragg, doctoral researcher in the History of Art, the University of Edinburgh.