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Thanks, Seán, for raising the broader issue of how to manage to build a career in German Studies. Can I invite those who would like to contribute constructive do's and don't's and any other career advice to take to the WiGS blog which tries to house discussions around this topic? Cf. for example the blog post "Beyond Lecturing<http://womeningermanstudies.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/beyond-lecturing-workshop-at-the-xxvth-wigs-conference/>". Anyone - whether female or male - welcome to use the comment function of the blog and help mit Rat und Tat! Henrike Prof. Henrike Lähnemann Chair of German Studies<http://ncl.ac.uk/sml/german> | School of Modern Languages, Old Library Building, Newcastle University, GB - NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne office number: 0044 191 2087513, email<mailto:[log in to unmask]>, Twitter<https://twitter.com/HLaehnemann>, pinterest <http://pinterest.com/HLaehnemann/> * Medingen<http://research.ncl.ac.uk/medingen/> project * WiGS<http://womeningermanstudies.wordpress.com/> * Follow SML on Twitter<https://twitter.com/SML_Newcastle> and Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003613244854> * For recent publications and and digital pre-prints cf. my website<http://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/henrike.laehnemann/> From: JISCmail German Studies List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Seán Williams Sent: Monday, March 24, 2014 1:49 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: ridiculous payment - but hey, it's Oxford! I agree with those who think that this is an important discussion topic for a list-serve, but I doubt that many of us postgrads or freshly-minted PhDs/DPhils will contribute for fear of repercussions on our own (future) employment. Also, I think there can be other forms of constructive input than comment on, or objection to, pay alone. Anyone who follows Rebecca Schumann, who understands herself as a whistle-blower on the academy, will know that the US higher ed system has adjuncts who struggle to survive. And Karin has pointed to the situation in the German-speaking world, too. So perhaps we could use this list also for constructive, general discussions about embarking on starter jobs? Justifications for pay or pay disputes aside, pragmatic tips are surely useful - no one has to heed or read them, but they can do so if they want. For example, regarding how a post-holder on a fixed, hours-based contract anywhere can meet the demands of a job well enough to get a good reference and do students' needs justice, while not allowing such a position to become all-encompassing such that no time is left for research or supplementation of income outside of the role (as the individual prefers). Or tips on managing expectations of university employers while still being willing to be engaged in the institution. And so on. I don't mean to suggest that German Studies should be there for life advice, but some forum for early career academics from or in the UK negotiating the job market - or links to such a forum - would seem relevant to me. Seán