How do I get into academia?

[changeat50]

I have worked in my industry for 25 years and have finally started to do a degree in it as now in a financial position now the kids are older.
In my final year and going on to do a
Masters. I have fallen in love with research and studying.
I would love to become involved in University research. Spoke briefly to my dissertation supervisor but please can anyone tell me what kids of roles there are?

It's a bit difficult without knowing your field. Some departments like Business Schools and Education often bring industry professionals back to teach and research and often without a PhD. In other departments it is virtually impossible I would say to get a post-doc (a short term research contract on a PIs grant - usually 3 years but can vary) or a research fellowship in your own right without a PhD.

A PhD is essentially training in research and you are considered trained to undertake your own research once you have one. Again in a lot of departments to get a lecturing post (which combines teaching, admin and research) it is rare now to get one without a PhD although some recent job panels I have sat on have said a PhD or equivalent is an essential criterion of the post.

Technicians don't often require a PhD (but several in my department have them) and they can get involved with research - certainly doing the research if not always the writing it up. Although that is changing now with various technician charters and initiatives.

Just another thought, you would do a research project for both UG and Masters degrees - there are also MRes degrees which are essentially mini-PhDs over c. 18 months full time with no formal taught components and they usually have lower fees. These can be a good choice for mature students with lots of industry/prior knowledge.

My background is child protection and family support. I have got along for many years with CPD and a trusty level 4 but really wanted to go into depth working with families and did not expect to enjoy academia so much.

That sounds amazing! Never heard of them!

Sorry to be really negative but take a good look at academia and universities right now….its not a secure place to be. Maybe don’t put all your eggs in the basket with a view to working in academia.

Okay! Not a field I know a lot about. 😊 But I would explore what funding options there may be to do a PhD - students usually get 3.5-4 years funded now and whilst it's not a stunning stipend it is not considered income for tax purposes so it essentially equates to a salary of ~£25k before tax. And you can work as well - I worked PT whilst doing my PhD full-time.

You can make a significant contribution to your field doing a PhD research project as well as gaining the qualification you would need to continue and apply for your own funding - essentially writing and constructing your own job!

It is true that some are but not all - we are actively recruiting for lecturers in my department atm!

It is hard to get funding though and likewise hard to work part-time and compete a full time PhD. Don't want to completely disagree with you, however PhDs can be tough (I'm half way through).

Yep, lots of things in life are hard but it depends how much you want it.

I did my PhD with two primary aged children and had a third whilst I was writing up. Lots of all nighters and weekend working. And I did part-time bookeeping. It took me 5 years to complete it. And people still read it 20 years later! Best thing workwise I ever did.

And really, PhDs SHOULD be tough! They are a high level qualification and you are pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

Super impressed!!

Thank you! 😊 It was hard but I loved it so much it was my happy place so rarely a chore - apart from the final slog to pull it all together.

I spend a lot of time now supervising mainly female mature PhD students who are often making a career change and most go on to good jobs in UK and abroad if they want them.

May I ask what field you are in?

Archaeology 😬

What field in archaeology?

Any field with remains presumably?

I'll get my coat.

So I assume you'd be looking at Education/Social Work departments? These aren't the best funded but your previous work experience is attractive. I suspect that the only places that would recruit you with a Masters are not very good institutions where you are likely to be overloaded with teaching. This could be a useful stepping stone and it's a common rite of passage in my area. Some will fund you to do a PhD. If they do I strongly recommend doing it PT in the best university you can access. Studying in your home institution with inexperienced supervisors who haven't published will not benefit you. There are PhD scholarships available and most are being advertised now. Good luck OP.

Science - I don't dig - was rubbish at that - mostly working in labs analysing stuff!

😂

Hi I'm a social work academic and if that's the discipline you're thinking about I have to say it's a really tough time at the moment - we're not only being squeezed because of the HE crisis but also because fast track programmes have sucked all resources out of the field. It's all feeling very shaky!
However if you're looking to do a PhD in this area, I'd explore what the national institute for health and social care has to offer. It's really investing in research training and development in social care/social work via local authorities and NHS trusts at the moment and has lots of schemes aimed at practitioners. Another route that is an alternative to traditional academic route is the professional doctorate, dependent on whether a uni near you runs one.

If you're more interested in teaching, many SW programmes employ lecturer practitioner roles, or teaching fellow roles open to experienced practitioners, so you could keep an eye out for those.

Happy to teach!

Thankyou for that. I will take a look!

Funding is an issue, I'm funded by the AHRC, who have significantly cut back this year. Im not familiar with your field which I presume is the social sciences (?), but I would just counsel caution when looking into shifting career path and to be fully informed.
If I was looking for a postdoc for instance I would probably have to move across the country or possibly to America or Scandinavia, which is fine if you want to do that, but which may be more difficult if you are in a relationship, have children, that sort of thing.

Yes @jennylamb1 almost all the UKRI councils are cutting back on doctoral studentships.

I think people outside of academia don't realise quite how bad it's getting. I'm at the end of my career and funded mostly via a stonking huge research grant, so avoiding retirement. But the number of friends I have who are taking early retirement or totting up voluntary severance/redundancy is increasing.

It's not just the cuts - which are only going to get worse - it's the hugely over-surveilled state of the academy. My place is big on the "student experience" and apparently we are not to be trusted whatsoever in actually engaging with & teaching our students from our expertise ...