Desert Island Researcher Development: Metaphors to describe the value or purpose of researcher development

Posted on: 23 October 2023 by The Academy’s Researcher Development & Culture Team in Blog posts

In an ode to BBC’s famous Desert Island Discs, our Researcher Development and Culture team in the Academy has developed this "Desert Island Researcher Development (RD)” series of blog posts.

What is Desert Island RD?

Just as the castaways on the BBC's "Desert Island Discs" select songs that resonate with their lives, we select questions related to researcher development that resonate with your journey at any career stage – whether as a postgraduate researcher, a postdoctoral researcher, a seasoned academic or a member of the diverse research-enabling professional community. Each month, through Desert Island RD, we share insights, strategies, and inspiration to help you thrive in the research ecosystem. The series will be a valuable resource for:

enhancing your skills;
broadening your horizons; and
exploring innovative approaches to researcher development.

This month’s question

“What example/story/metaphor do you use to describe the value or purpose of researcher development to others?”

When talking to researchers who feel nothing has changed, I ask them to imagine themselves on a boat: when there is nothing but ocean around them, it can be hard to judge how far you have travelled or how fast you are going – but if you can see land behind you then it is easier to judge how far you have come. I.e., accurate reflection on progress can only happen if you take stock of where you started (which is why developing a habit of regularly doing a skills assessment & recording your results is an important part of learning).

I tend to use a buffet metaphor when describing the purpose of self-guided researcher development. ‘Another way to think about this is via an analogy, thinking of Prosper as a buffet, you can pick and choose the items you’d like to eat from the buffet. You can pile your plate high or just pick a couple of bites and then come back for more when you’re ready. But this is up to you, we don’t know when you’re hungry (when you have time) or how hungry (how much time you have to spend) or what foods you like (what development you need). Also, personal career development, much like needing to take on nutrition, doesn’t have an end, it’s an on-going process.’ Another analogy I like (more about careers than development I guess) is that you are like a book and each new thing you do career (or development-wise) is a new page in the book.

Like everything else, it’s like riding a bicycle. Sometimes it is easy, other times it is really difficult but as long as you are putting in effort you will make forward progress. Occasionally the wheels fall off and you need to stop and reassess your decisions. You can go really fast on your own if you are motivated enough, but it is much easier if you have a team and make use of their skills and knowledge. To get really bike geeky, the Peleton goes a lot faster than one person on their own because you’re sharing the weight of effort. It’s the same for your development, if you reach out to us we can help you get there quicker and hopefully save you some pain along the way.

Researcher developers are a pit crew, working with their drivers to help them go further and faster than they’d manage on their own.

Michelangelo said about sculpting “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free”. Being a researcher developer is a bit like this, for me: being able to see the potential in a person and using the appropriate tools and techniques to release their full capabilities. It’s an art, not a science, and the result, seeing a person grown in confidence and skills due to your work, is a beautiful thing.

Development is not a one-night stand, especially when thinking about your professional and personal development, but rather it should be considered your long-term relationship and accompany you every step of the way. Even when you really don’t want to see it, it will still be there to support you when you need it the most. So, it is worth making the effort in making that relationship a fruitful and happy one.

RD is like the sea ebbing and flowing. Consistently increasing and decreasing, constant fluctuations. It’s how we approach this and make it a priority for all.

RD work can be likened to tending a garden. The research ecosystem is the garden, and research culture is the soil. Just as diverse plants thrive in different soils, researchers and projects flourish in dynamic and nourishing environments, encompassing the breadth of RD initiatives. Collaboration and mentorship are like watering and care, essential for growth and key to success as no plant thrives in isolation. Embracing diversity mirrors the diversity of flora and fauna, fostering innovation. Research impact and outcomes are the fruits of this garden, and as seasons change, the culture must adapt to evolving needs and challenges.

Continuous learning

Researcher development is a lifelong journey, and Desert Island RD is here to accompany you along the way towards becoming more effective, fulfilled, personally and professional impactful research professionals. Share your own Desert Island RD examples with us on social media by tagging us on X @LivResearcher and LinkedIn University of Liverpool – The Academy.

Almost everyone has a story to tell when it comes to personal development. Listen to colleagues share their own stories in the Academy’s Developing Practice podcast series and gain an insight into their journey through the sharing of experiences, achievements and expertise. All podcasts can be accessed on the Anchor platform. You can also access them on Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify and Stitcher. Just search for ‘Developing Practice’. Learn more here: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/podcast/

Further Reading

About the Author

The Academy’s Researcher Development and Culture Team is committed to offering support for all researchers, academics, research-enabling staff and postgraduate researchers at all career levels, providing opportunities and developing initiatives that meet their career aspirations.

Colleagues are encouraged to regularly access the Researcher Hub for a range of on-demand development opportunities to support professional practice, supplementing live upcoming researcher development activities.

Keywords: Desert Island RD, Impact, Professional Development, Team Work.