Issue Seven (2022)
The 2022 Edition of Hillary Place Papers
The theme for this issue of the Hillary Place Papers, Flexible Research in Mind-Bending Times, was decided at a time when the Covid pandemic still cast a much darker cloud over the world. Looking back on those experiences is an opportunity to understand, with fresh perspective, the impact of those world changing events on the way that PGR research was conducted. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the creativity and flexibility of the research community at Hillary Place (and beyond). We hope that these papers will lead to consideration of what our community has learned, individually and collectively about how to do research. They certainly suggest that our resilience, and our responses to many different challenges, have changed and developed our identities as researchers. This creativity, resilience and our collective development are explored and celebrated in these papers.
The first paper, Conversation with Contemporary Scholar, Dr James Simpson is a discussion between PGR Helen Robinson and her supervisor Dr James Simpson about his new academic role in Hong Kong. The paper touches on topics ranging from the challenges of moving, teaching and researching during the Covid-19 pandemic, to the level of freedom in the new environment with a strict national security law. The pros and cons of living in Hong Kong, research flexibility and the feeling of belonging are discussed, with concrete advice for researchers considering a change of scenery. This paper is the starting point for important themes in this issue, such as the importance of developing understanding and insight between supervisors and PGRs, and between researchers and participants.
In the second paper, Taking time to appreciate the scenery: an exploration of PhD supervision as pedagogy, Edward (Ed) Collyer and his supervisor Dr Clare (Kate) Lawrence offer a refreshing visual and creative methodological approach to examine their conceptions of the role and relationship of PhD supervisor and supervisee during the Covid pandemic, and the nature of PhD research itself. Ed and Kate highlight the need to explore “fundamental apprehensions of what research should be about, that are subtle and emotionally charged” (Johansson et al., 2014, p. 613). This paper could benefit both supervisors and supervisees, providing an engaging reflection on this complex relationship at the core of every PhD journey.
The third paper, A Reflective Analysis on Strategic Approaches Implemented in Accessing and Conducting Interviews with Elites in Sri Lanka describes and analyses the challenges Sasheeka Karunanayake faced in gaining access to and conducting interviews with elites. As well as sharing her successes and ‘failures’ in dealing with gatekeepers, Sasheeka recommends that researchers develop a flexible and creative approach, as well as ‘silent strategic patience’ when negotiating access to interviews. Her data collection experiences show that merely obtaining consent and conducting an interview does not guarantee a successful interview. Developing a rapport and establishing trust between the interviewer and interviewees are crucial elements for the success of the interview and the quality of the data (McClure & McNaughtan, 2021; Darbi & Hall, 2014). Anybody interested in research involving elites, gatekeepers or the Sri Lankan context, will certainly find this paper insightful.
Our last paper is a Conference Report by Marianne Talbot. In the report, which covers the TEALfest 2021 (Technology Enhanced Active Learning), University of Warwick, May 2021, Marianne shares her 'lightbulb moments' from the TEALfest 2021. This thought-provoking and extremely well-organised online conference inspired reflections on the evolution of digital teaching and learning pedagogy and practice in Higher Education, through and beyond Covid-19. Marianne reports on strategies to maximise student engagement in digital teaching environments, whilst also addressing the challenges technology can bring. This paper is an excellent example of the multiplicity of insights one can gain from academic events and offers suggestions to develop successful teaching and learning communities.
The editorial team would like to thank again all those who submitted papers, all the staff reviewers and those who helped by reviewing papers, advertising the call for papers, and contributed in lots of ways to help bring this edition to publication.
Individual articles:
Conversation with Contemporary Scholar, Dr James Simpson
Taking time to appreciate the scenery: an exploration of PhD supervision as pedagogy
TEALfest 2021 (Technology Enhanced Active Learning), University of Warwick, May 2021