I am not playing the academic hunger games: Self-awareness and mindful practices in approaching research collaborations

Abstract

The university is a game. It has rules, transparent and hidden. Some of these rules, though, are essentially driven by competitiveness, much akin to the notion of hunger games. In this chapter, I refer to a ‘performed character’ that we enact in everyday life, in relation to approaching research collaborations. I consider my own lived experiences and mindful practices as I question: What character do we perform as we navigate being a researcher? A negative emotionally abusive colleague? A competitor who sees others as a threat? or a learner who is open to new experiences and curiosity? I choose to be self-aware and present and enact mindful practices at the front, back and side of stage. I refer to the competitiveness and reference the hunger games metaphor where we are placed against each other-institutionally, within our own department or faculty, and indeed within some collaborations. I consider a disruption to this way of being; a mindful approach to with whom and how we collaborate. I enact a self-awareness of my own approach to research collaboration. I share a self-study narrative, which is underpinned by impact of others, and motivated by engagement in rewarding interpersonal relationships and curiosity. In writing this chapter, I invite a rethinking of the narrative of competition for academics working in research collaborations to one of choice-about whom we collaborate with, how we collaborate and how we can be open and curious to continually learning about the collaboration process and our self.