I am proud to be an academic, but I’m certainly not a “typical academic” in the traditional sense of things, and I’m quite proud of that too. It still makes me sad that many academics are lumped into the same category; really clever, often put on a pedestal and perhaps a bit boring. But much of the work that I choose to do in science communication, making science accessible and inclusive means that I stand out in the academic world.
The trouble is that when you consider the history of academia, it was originally built to be elitist and exclusive, separated and segregated from the “real world”. Academic language can be complex, a code for only those who understand it. I remember when I transitioned from Biochemistry to Neuroscience after attending my first lab meeting as a PhD student, I had multiple pages of scribbled notes, including many words that I’d need to look up and don’t even get me started on the acronyms! The lack of accessibility and inclusivity of and in academia feeds into the narrative that higher education and academia is viewed in exceptionally high esteem, over and above other potential alternatives and that deeply engrained culture just shouldn’t be the case.
Alignment with my values and beliefs.
There have been many times in my career, education and indeed life more generally where I have felt like I didn’t belong. As the first generation of my family to go to University, and as a young(ish) female academic, I feel really strongly that I have a duty to chip away at the ivory tower of academia, to invite others in, to help, guide, advise and support to ultimately make academia more inclusive, accessible and tolerant. University and higher education should never be the only option, but it should at least be an option to consider. Yet for numerous understandable reasons, many continue to feel that academia is something that “isn’t for them”. Just think how many incredibly talented people are put off even stepping inside the grandeur of a University building, long before they would ever consider applying to study there or even talk to a “traditional academic”.
Inclusion and belonging are some of my core values, alongside genuinely encouraging diversity of thought and opinion. The world is a so much richer and diverse place when more people are able and willing to contribute to it. While times are changing (but never quick enough), breaking out of the ivory tower is becoming more difficult. Traditional academic metrics are deeply engrained in the way we judge and value academics within academia. Peer reviewed journal publications and grant income are currency which are well understood. Yet, other vital roles in outreach, student support, engagement, inclusion and communication are more difficult to measure in the traditional academic sense, so they remain underappreciated. For too long these vital and important skills simply have not belonged within the ivory towers of academia. For me, outreach, engagement and inclusion in academia are vital, what is the point in doing incredible academic work if nobody can access it because it is hidden away behind an ivory tower.
Doing things differently
In order to make progress and change the world for the better, we need to do things differently in academia. Yet we have to acknowledge that doing things differently and creating meaningful change can often be exhausting. Proposing alternative views, options and opinions comes with an inherent element of risk, particularly if you are from an already minoritised group.
But the world would be a really boring place if we simply continued on in the same way without striving for change and progress, and I mean meaningful change and progress (not just change for the sake of change). We have to acknowledge that being a boundary breaker or a margin mover is tough and you’re unlikely to be thanked for it very often.
Yet, I would encourage all academics to begin to move those margins, to challenge the status quo and to work harder and do better to break out of the ivory tower of academia so that we can share knowledge and understanding and make the world a better place for everyone.
Dr Emma Yhnell 