How to handle a delicate work question

[onegrapeshortofabunch]

I work in a relatively niche sector. I've been invited to join the advisory group of a major new piece of sector-wide research. One of the projects the advisory group will be advising on is a major report into the current landscape for our industry.

Here's the delicacy. I want to be writing that report! It's exactly the kind of work I love, I think I would do a good job and (frankly) it would be good for my career. But I worry that by being on the AG I will be out of the running. Also, I may be over estimating my own ability - on one hand, some of the work I have done is referenced as the basis for this new research, on the other I have much more industry experience than research experience and others in my field are much much more established as researchers (ie they have PhDs and research posts in academia)

Do I:

a) email the head of the research project, saying how interested I am in working on the report and ask to be considered. Could be thought of as very bolshy and presumptuous, and would mean I probably couldn't sit on the AG AND may also not get to do the report.

b) email the head of the research project and ask if members of the steering group will be able to be considered for the report. Could appear extremely naive and also bolshy, presumptuous etc.

c) go to the first AG meeting in a couple of weeks, find out more, then do (a)

d) say nothing, and use this as a useful experience to find out how this kind of work gets commissioned.

The leader of the project is a very powerful person who can make or break a reputation, so I don't want to get this wrong and end up making things awkward between me and him.

Advice, anyone?!?!

Dh actually a lot more ill than I realised. Ironically the kids are probably ok ish but he’s quite violently ill. Of course because the kids have been sick no one else can look after them .... aaargh. I’m going to try a few options and then see if I can leave dh alone for a while ...

Hey Grape, did you manage it in the end? Hope DH is recovering!

Yes I did! Managed to get out the door, and was even wearing fully clean, vomit free clothes! The meeting was very, very interesting. I put my hat in the ring and found out a lot more about the research. I think I represented myself pretty well and I’m really glad I didn’t have to tell them about domestic chaos. Thank you all for your support!

The organisers are going to formally invite me (and others) to tender. I will keep you updated!

Excellent. How are all the ill people?

@onegrapeshortofabunch It's my turn to be cheeky now. It sounds like you work in a very similar sector to me (could be the same). I would be fascinated to find out about how you went freelance and how that works practically. Would you ever be interested in chatting over private message?

Best of luck with the proposal!!

Who is commissioning the research? What is the guideline budget likely to be?

If once you’ve seen the specification for the work in the invitation to tender, if you don’t have all of the skills, experience and resources to deliver the work for the price, an option could be to team up with another small “sole trader” or business.

Another could be to look at the ITT but not apply for this one (a variation on your option D) and investigate ways to get into the kind of work that appeals to you.

Thanks everyone! I’ll people are much better, @stealthpolarbear - thank you for asking. Dh is proud of me for going actually.

@submariner I might do ... very happy to chat!

@loopytiles I think that’s a good approach - I’m going to try to work it as a partnership with a couple of other people

Excellent :)