Please note: This story reflects the personal experience and perspective of its contributor. Academic careers vary widely, and others may experience different challenges and opportunities. 

Career Story 

As a T&S member of staff at my institution, I found myself in a position where it was decided how my career would advance. The decision was made without my opinion and what was decided undermined my qualifications and experiences. From my point of view, there was clear prejudice but leaving my institution was not the answer (at this point I had encountered prejudice everywhere!). So I took myself out of this biased and condescending vision of my future that had been constructed for me and created my own.

In pushing back against others’ views of you, there is a lot you need to keep in mind. Honesty is not always the best way forward, especially when EDI issues are involved. Instead, spend time learning from every injustice and pivoting from the lessons you identified.

Doing this, I realised I needed to be connected to myself in a way that allowed me to work alone if I needed to and to be very picky about who I worked with – people who empowered rather than undermined. I believe your career flourishes when you have people around you who are equally as committed to their craft so I refused from that point to accept sub-standard relationships. It felt risky to be selective, but it changed everything. From that point, I became more thoughtful about what I shared and with whom. And then I got to work…my main motivation was to be who I felt I am and no longer be who other people told me I was meant to be. Identifying my passion and focusing on that got me into conversations with people who shared that passion. Often I was so focused on the work that I had no idea how senior the people who I was speaking to were. That meant I could be my full self and connect deeply with people I might otherwise have avoided if I had known their titles.

Eventually, I surpassed my own expectations. A great part of the work that I have achieved has gone against the limits associated with being a T&S member of staff, and I owe that also to the creativity I unleashed by tapping into my core self. That is what allowed me to obtain the leadership position within EDI that I am so passionate about. Throughout this leadership, I have continued to deepen my self-awareness. For instance, I have had to let go of my own desire for structure – now I do not tend to have an end goal. I see an opportunity and take it and see how it goes. I have also had to prioritise what helps the everyday person more than what brings credit and stardust. It is important to me to remain grounded and remember where I started. As we advance, it is easy to forget why we started. Holding on to that grounding matters. I spent a lot of my thirties searching for a place to fit professionally. It took time to ground myself in my passions and even begin to discover what they were. Looking inward is not always comfortable, but it holds the secrets to your greatness.

I have had to unlearn a few things along the way, and my core lessons include:

• There is always a way. Do not let anyone tell you that what makes you feel debased is your only option.
• That being me does not quite fit. I am a different cup of tea, but I like me and that is what matters most.
• You must accept everyone as they are, but you do not need to leave them as you have met them. Acceptance of unjust acts is never OK – education can take many forms but education is important (even if this involves silent resistance).
• I have also learned to deprioritise perfectionism. I used to review lectures three times before delivering them, even when I had taught them many times before. That was about not making mistakes as a minoritised staff member. Now I no longer believe I need to overdo things in order to be seen as equal. People will dislike you no matter what you do. So do it to your best and then do not stress.
• Networking has been one of the harder lessons. Not everyone working in EDI shares the same passions or reasons. Surrounding yourself with genuine, committed change makers makes a difference. Trust your instincts. I genuinely love many of the people I network with, and that makes the work easier.

Reflections I would offer now 

• If others construct a future for you that feels wrong, you are allowed to construct your own.
• Learn from injustice, but do not let it define your limits. There is always a way.
• Stay connected to yourself. Your passion will lead you into the right rooms.
• Your career flourishes when you have people around you who are equally as committed to their craft so do not accept sub-standard relationships.
• Let go of the need to overperform to prove equality. Do your best and do not carry the rest.
• Prioritise impact over credit. Stardust fades. Meaningful change does not.