Three questions with…. Michelle!
Our lab is growing! In our Three Questions series, we’re profiling each of our members and the amazing work they’re doing.
Today, we’re highlighting Michelle La, a master’s student studying the subculture of sneaker enthusiasts at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and a research assistant at the ScholCommLab. In this post, she tells us about her research on the pressures facing early-career academics, her efforts to help train teaching assistants for remote education, and more.
Q#1 What are you working on at the lab?
At the lab I work on the qualitative research components of the Review, Promotion, and Tenure (RPT) project. Specifically, I survey the RPT requirements and corresponding documentation from research-oriented institutions across North America. I am interested in the ways these institutions frame the value of academic outputs in their RTP documents (e.g. publishing in a high impact journal versus in an open access journal). By doing this, I can see the ways institutions covertly and overtly use language to discourage pre-tenured faculty from disseminating their research in non-traditional academic ways, such as through social media, podcasting, open access platforms, etc.
By doing this [research,] I can see the ways institutions covertly and overtly use language to discourage pre-tenured faculty from disseminating their research in non-traditional academic ways
Michelle La
Q#2 Tell us about a recent paper, presentation, or project you’re proud of.
In the late spring of 2020, SFU was pivoting to remote learning due to the pandemic. I worked with SFU’s Centre for Educational Excellence to develop the university’s first comprehensive course to help train TAs/TMs (teaching assistants and tutor markers) for teaching in the remote environment. The modules were developed and informed by my teaching experience having taught hundreds of students as a TA/TM. So far, the course has received over 38,000-page views from TAs, TMs, and instructors throughout the university. Working on that project is one of my proudest accomplishments as a graduate student.
Q#3 What’s the best (or worst) piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice that I am going to heed into 2021 is to actively practice self-compassion. I was inspired by The Happiness Lab podcast episode “Dump Your Inner Drill Sergeant,” where researcher and author Kristin Neff discusses the plethora of benefits that practising self-compassion can bring to yourself and the others around you.