Do you feel valued? Does it matter? Is it ever possible?!

[Hedgehoghogger]

And if you do who by?

I'm reader level, relatively young (34), non RG but red brick institution. On paper high achiever. I bring in money, have lots of PhD students, international reputation, 4 papers, books, 4 impact, lots of public engagement, regularly cited in policy blah blah blah ... whilst also running a course, teaching, personal students etc.

The problem is I am not valued by management. Nasty rejection letter for promotion listing all my faults but no positives, no positive feedback, control of ideas handed to other staff ... alongside the typical continually being told need to do more (and then more... and then a bit more thanks. Although no actual thanks obviously).

We have also had somewhat of a shift to valuing teaching over research, with teaching staff (no PhD) getting lots of promotions to be on the same scale - so we now have lots of readers and professors who have never done any research. Teaching of course very valuable but I resent having to do a similar teaching load and then the research as well, and whereas the research staff struggled to get to that grade, others can be promoted on their teaching only meaning research staff are being held back as they can't meet the grade on their research. It's just a miserable situation to be in. Of course, teaching staff most likely feel we are valued.

So I'm miserable and having my yearly 'should I move / commute' debate. Difficult to actually move as school age children and divorced so considering a long commute for an agreement of 2 - 3 days in the office during term time arrangement.

But then I think would I just be miserable elsewhere too? Is everyone feeling this way? Does anyone feel valued by management (and do you have any vacancies ). Does anyone else manage to feel valued their students and from their research and think sod management? How do you get to thinking that way? Or is HE as a sector doomed with the introduction of TEF and needing to do it all amazingly? What else is there for an academic to do?! Apart from buy lottery tickets (but even then would we actually be happy).

I'm finding myself withdrawing and not bothering to try and progress, thinking I could just go for the 'easier' life of staying here (house 10 minutes drive away). But ...

That sounds like a good plan HH. We never know what will happen in life so I've always said spread risk and do different portfolio career type things and done that myself. My father found it very useful when he was an NHS doctor eventually to build up other things - he did lecturing, sat on a tribunal, eventually saw private patients at our house two evenings a week and acted as an expert witness in court cases so that when the NHS imposed their stupid compulsory age 63 retirement when he wanted to carry on for much longer at least he had the other things.

many national research council positions are available in your research area?

Not just national - think international. There are however bunches of committees over several RCUK relevant to my area, plus Royal Society etc, so many of my colleagues do have UK research council positions.

Not everybody has a research council position at any given time - but the logic is that everybody should be doing this at some point, so no discount for doing so. (So, not entirely fair, but no consensus for pushing through a change of policy.)

You're right Senior - or at least I was that keen young thing, desperate to get my fingers in any pie ... and then my research grew from strength to strength and I'm now drowning. If I wait it out and as my PhD students graduate take on less... but am taking enjoyment in saying no to any other stuff right now.

I think they think I won't leave - but their response if I do manage to get a new post will be interesting.