How to be an academic in NZ: book award

Optimising your academic career: Advice for early career scholars provides new and emerging academics with answers to all the questions they may have about getting started in their careers in tertiary institutions of all types – wānanga, institutes or universities of technology (polytechnics), private providers and universities. 

Unusually, explains Carol, the book is written specifically from a local perspective. “It for people working in Aotearoa New Zealand; for people who will identify with, and relate to, what it says about our ways of working, our bi-culturalism, our context and our experiences.

“It is wonderful that the importance of writing for a local audience has been recognised in this way.”

Carol drew on her own academic journey and experiences, and those of colleagues at all stages of their academics careers, to provide the advice and guidance in the book.

“It is the result of decades of discussions and conversations with colleagues and early career and experienced academics. Much of their wisdom has found its way into this book,” she says.
 

The idea to write the book came out of her personal commitment to mentoring.

This commitment has ranged from working with recently appointed colleagues and doctoral candidates, to setting up Emerging Scholars Forums and workshops at the university and other tertiary institutions with input from colleagues across all disciplines.

“I realised I had so much material that it might be helpful to have it all in one place. So here we are, years of ideas, activities, tips, discussion and advice distilled into book form for a New Zealand audience.”

While the book is designed for people at the beginning of their academic careers, Carol says it will also be useful to experienced academics who want to provide support and mentoring to younger colleagues.

As she says at the end of her book: “Our new and emerging scholars are the future of academia; we must nurture, respect and value them.”

Optimising your academic career: Advice for early career scholars is published by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. Publishing manager David Ellis has special praise for the book’s New Zealand framework and Carol’s ability to tackle contemporary education issues in a local context.

He adds: “She is one of our stars and we're thrilled that the judges have recognised how valuable a contribution this book is making to the next generation of educators and researchers.”

Optimising your academic career: Advice for early career scholars is available from the NZCER Press website and university bookshop, cost $45.