In this episode, Charlie and Rosie are joined by our friend and very special guest, Eleanor Barraclough, as we explore the roles that media work can play in academic and academic-adjacent career paths.
Eleanor shares and reflects on her (extensive) experiences in working with radio, TV, and print media, and we explore topics such as: the challenges of getting into media work; the benefits and sometimes also the drawbacks of working with media outlets while also following an academic career; and we ask what role media work has in an academic career in general.
Eleanor (https://eleanorbarraclough.com) began her career in media by being appointed as a BBC New Generation Thinker in 2013, and since then, she has made content for BBC Radio 3 and radio 4, BBC channels including BBC Four, she’s written various trade articles and books – which ties in nicely about what we were talking about the other week with Lizzie Boyle - and she has been on LOTS of different History podcasts. She’s also just written a brand-new book on the Vikings, called Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age, which was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.
Some links:
New Generation Thinkers scheme: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/new-generation-thinkers-2025/
Eleanor's new book:https://eleanorbarraclough.com/activity/embers-of-the-hands-hidden-histories-of-the-viking-age-profile-2024/
--------
1:09:02
Episode 24: Returning to Academia in Later Life
In this episode, Charlie and Rosie (she's been promoted to an official co-host!) talk with Chris: a US-based academic who returned to University life after a successful career and with busy demands of family life.
After an introduction from Chris about her journey and what she is up to now (working as an academic teacher and administrator in the US), Charlie and Rosie ask some key questions including: why Chris decided that it was time to return to academia; how this transition felt, how Chris surmounted the obstacles to progression (answer: get some good mentor figures!) and finally what advice Chris would give any anyone who is in a similar position, and thinking of rejoining the academic world.
If you like the episode, please feel free to give us some feedback by leaving a short review wherever you get your podcasts from, and don't forget to follow us on social media: @ECRPodcasters
--------
1:05:04
Episode 23: Writing for non-Academic Audiences
In this episode, Charlie and Rosie are joined by Elizabeth Boyle, author of the book, 'Fierce Appetites: Lessons from my Year of Untamed Thinking', which was published in 2022 and was nominated for multiple literary awards including the Irish Book Awards non-fiction book of the year in that year.
Lizzie talks to us about the ways in which writing for non-academics has influenced her career (as an academic but also as an all-round writer), we discuss the various ways in which Early Career Academics can get experience of writing for non-academic audiences, and we weigh up the place of non-academic writing in the career paths of humanities ECRs.
You can follow more from Lizzie by visiting her website and blog here:http://thecelticist.ie
--------
1:04:10
Episode 22: Is UK Academia in Crisis?
In this episode, Charlie and Rosie are joined by special guest Ben Jones, Lecturer at the University of East Anglia and long-term representative of the University and Colleges Union (UCU). We embark on a detailed discussion of the financial crisis that has been affecting academia in the UK over the past few years (and which has hit the humanities hard).
We discuss: the causes of the crisis, current responses by Universities and UK Government, and possible long-term solutions, and then, what Early Career Researchers can be doing to help navigate our own position in the midst of this mess!
Please do follow us on social media (Twitter/X and BlueSky: @ECRPodcasters) and leave us a review after listening!
Links to information mentioned in the show:
University and Colleges Union: https://www.ucu.org.uk
Article on UK academia in The Week: https://theweek.com/education/uk-universities-why-higher-education-is-in-crisis#
Article on the crisis in the Guardian newspaper: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/11/the-guardian-view-on-campus-cuts-academics-pay-a-high-price-for-westminsters-mistakes
--------
1:10:16
Episode 21: Challenges in the Publishing Industry and what you need to know
In this episode, Charlie is joined by our regular contributor Rosie (Brepols publishers), and our special guest Caroline Palmer (Boydell & Brewer publishers). We discuss challenges and changes seen in academic Humanities publishing over the past 10 years, and give advice on what this means for ECRs, as you seek to disseminate your work among intended readers by liaising with publishers (and hopefully getting book deals!)
You can find more information about Rosie and Caroline's employers by finding them online at: https://www.brepols.net and https://boydellandbrewer.com
The Early Career Researcher podcast aims to provide a regular forum for discussion on all things relating to the life and work of Early Career Researchers working in the Humanities.
Join us for weekly advice on applying for research jobs, careers advice, help with job applications, and support on issues such as mental health and wellbeing.
We are: Charlie (works as a lecturer on a fixed-term contract, with eight years of lecturing experience in the UK); Rachael (several years of experience in academic and related fields, including lecturing and research administration, currently working as a postdoctoral researcher); and Olivia (several years of work experience prior to beginning a PhD, which she is currently in the final year of writing).
Episodes are accompanied by our blogs, which summarise the topics discussed in the podcast, and provide useful links on where to get further information and help.
Ireland