Shaun,
I fully support your idea of an RGS forum on contract research(CR). I
feel this would be particularly invaluable for postgraduates, since,
speaking from my own experience, this poses additional problems over and
above the problems normally associated with CR.
Certainly, from my own experience I found that while university
structures were geared up for research being carried out by members
of staff and fellows, they was little support network for
postgraduates, like myself, who had suspended their PhD registration
in order to complete CR (In my case a nine-month study on control in medium security prisons for the Home
Office).
My experience was an administrative nightmare. The Faculty, Staffing
Services and other bodies involved being often less than helpful,
especially over issues such as taxation and superannuation. In
addition, I encountered numerous academic difficulties, since I was in the
unusual position of having attracted the research myself (not through
a supervisor as is more usually the case). I found I was paralysed in
terms of managing finances etc. due to procedures being set up for
more traditional supervisor-research associate relationships.
Furthermore I was later denied the credit for the research in a
University publication, much to the annoyance of both my supervisor and myself,
despite the body concerned having contacted me for information about
the project!
Further academic problems arise from the fact that I am bound by the
Official Secrets Act not to divulge the findings of my research
outside of my thesis before the Prison Service has time to
disseminate the information as they see fit. I therefore have had
the 'double whammy' (career wise) of having invested a considerable
period of time involved in intensive research that I have been unable
to disseminate and, therefore, gain valuable publications from.
I appreciate this is unlikely to be the common experience of
postgraduates completing CR. Indeed I would stress that the CR
afforded me unparalleled access to my subject area. I do feel, however, that the ethical, procedural
and career issues surrounding postgraduates involved in CR should be
reviewed and welcome your idea of an RGS forum.
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Simon Marshall
Urban Morphology Research Group
School of Geography
University of Birmingham
United Kingdom
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Phone: (44) 0121 414 5682
Fax: (44) 0121 414 5528
http://www.bham.ac.uk/geography/umrg
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