Going beyond your Comfort Zone

'Create your own method' (Photo by Kyle Head on Unsplash)

It is easy to feel like a fraud. As an early-career academic, it is almost part of the job description. Everyone else seems to know more than you. Everyone else is more effective. Everyone else is just, well, better than you. And it won’t be long until you are exposed as the sham you clearly are.

ECR Network: 'Imposter Syndrome' and 'Resilience'

Dr Caron Fraser Wood

The next two Early Career Researcher Network events this term will be run by Dr Caron Fraser Wood of Mindset Method, and will look at ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and how to develop resilience. We ran the imposter syndrome session last year, and it was oversubscribed and very well received. You can attend either of these or both, but do let me know whether you would like to come as places are strictly limited.

They’re free, open to all Kent staff, and refreshments, including lunch, will be provided. More detail on the sessions is below, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Imposter Syndrome: Notes from ECR Network

The Imposter Syndrome is a relatively new concept. Dr Pauline Rose Clance, a clinical psychologist, was the first to coin the phrase in 1971 when she noticed that her female students were not putting themselves forward as much as their male counterparts. Initially it was assumed that it was a gender-based phenomenon, but at last week’s ECR Network meeting it was clear that it was prevalent across academia.

ECR Network: How to Overcome 'Imposter Syndrome' - 8 April 2015

It’s very easy to feel like an ‘imposter’ when you’re starting out in academia. Prof Ruth Barcan wrote about this in Times Higher Education last year: “many of my colleagues (especially women) gave out subtle signs that they did not feel they were up to the job—almost as though they had been employed in error and would sooner or later be found out.”

This is known as the Imposter Syndrome and symptoms include:

• Secretly worrying that others will find out that you're not as bright and capable as they think you are?
• Shying away from challenges because of nagging self-doubt? 
• Hating to make a mistake, to be less than fully prepared or doing things less than perfectly?

These are classic symptoms and are understandable.  The good news is that we are far from alone, and there is plenty that we can do to overcome the situation. 

Dr Caron Wood will be visiting the University to run a half day workshop that will provide an introduction to:

• The history of the Imposter Syndrome
• What is it and what causes it
• Why having the Imposter Syndrome is good news, and perfectly normal
• The symptoms of this syndrome – how to spot it in ourselves and others
• Practical tips for managing the causes, symptoms and effects of the syndrome

This pragmatic and highly participative workshop will ensure that participants become more aware of the syndrome, how it affects them, and what they can do to make sure that the effects are appropriate, managed and do not adversely affect performance.  Participants will leave with an understanding of some practical tools and techniques to enable them to manage their experiences of the Imposter Syndrome, ensuring that self-esteem, confidence and performance do not suffer as a result.

It is free, and open to all University academics and researchers. However, do let me know if you plan to come along so that I can ensure that I can book an appropriate room and refreshments.

Professionalising the Imposters

Last week, a colleague at another institution asked me to be their professional mentor. This came out of the blue and shocked me. I was flattered but bewildered, because I’ve always felt like a bit of fraud. What right do I have to mentor anyone?

Of course, such feelings are common in higher education. Ruth Barcan wrote in Times Higher Education earlier this year about this sense of fraudulence among academics. “Many of my colleagues (especially women) gave out subtle signs that they did not feel they were up to the job—almost as though they had been employed in error and would sooner or later be found out.”