Posted on by ijeomaopara

The End of One Road is the Start of Many Others 

It’s that time of the year when things start winding down work-wise and the end-of-year fatigue starts kicking in. But for many academics, the end of the working year doesn’t mean the end of work itself. Some of us may still be busy with our research over the holiday season, but this final blog marks the end of my journey with writing with SAYAS. The time truly flew by, and there is a lot to reflect on when it comes to what I’ve learned about science communication.

A Note of Thanks 

Firstly, it’s been an honour to collaborate with some amazing fellow emerging researchers across South Africa. From Mukhtaar’s ability to craft such beautifully witty takes in his blogs (his first vlog was my favourite!) to learning about how Jo deftly applies an intersectional approach to their research and creating a newfound sisterhood with Lonwabo, interacting with the 2023 cohort has been unquantifiably wholesome. Likewise, a massive thank you to our coordinator, Jen, who has been supportive and dedicated to pushing us to write throughout this year. Her time and engaged approach to pushing our newly fortified science communication skills cannot be taken for granted. Thank you, Jen!

Mirrors and Doors

In terms of reflecting on the year, it feels pre-emptive to discern whether or not it was ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Post-2020, there has definitely been a shift in how as a collective, we process the enormity of daily life on a different scale. That there’s almost this sense of mourning for what we had planned prior to March 2020. So, to echo the sentiments of my September blog, whilst every day may look different, it brings us closer to where we need to be. That being present in how we show up in our work requires the ability to be adaptable in our self-reflexiveness. Although I am still looking forward to setting time aside to reflect on my goals and achievements, it is not lost on me that there are lessons I am still in the process of uncovering and learning from. And that is the beauty of it all. So where does that leave you, the reader, to learn more about my academic journey? I am currently in the first round of my data collection and am so excited to embed myself in fieldwork. Envisioning the end of my PhD journey seems elusive, but I am closer than I think. My journey with SAYAS has been one important piece of a puzzle that is me becoming the scholar I aspire to become; caring, kind, compassionate, principled and relentless in the pursuit of creating knowledge that centres these values. 

Final thoughts

In an interview with The Republic, South African author Mpho Matsipa was asked what the most meaningful piece of writing advice she’d ever received, to which she said the following: 

“Writing will be all that remains after the bullsh*t institutional battles are lost and/or won.”

 

Writing for the sake of profit or glory has never been the allure for most researchers. We care about what we write about because solidarity is more important than complicity. Therefore, it would be disingenuous not to bring to the forefront what is happening in Palestine as I type this. As of 21st November 2023, more than 13,300 people have been killed by attacks from Israel, with 5,500 being children and 3,500 women.

There is no freedom from all the oppression we sit and talk about without the liberation of Palestinians.

There is no freedom from oppression without the liberation of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

There is no freedom from oppression without the liberation of Haiti.

There is no freedom from oppression without the freedom of West Papua New Guinea.

There is no freedom from oppression if we remain silent while pretending our insulated sensibilities keep us safe from another person’s reality eventually becoming our own. As academics, we have the privilege to engage with the real world through an ivory tower. Because of this, we must be cognizant of how our work ties into the bigger threads of humanity so that we may never lose who we are in the face of a world on fire.

Posted on by johanne_marais

The big bye-bye from the brain science blogger

Where I look, there I am: in the water or the window, or as the person I engage with.

Reflection has punctuated many moments throughout 2023 while writing as a blogger for the South African Young Academy of Science. More than just offering moments for reflection, this opportunity at blog writing has gifted me moments of visualization; moments of resistance; improved listening; learned knowledges and peace. These moments, on a continuum, have become the variety of power tools in my life-skills toolbox.

Communication is a skill that requires training. All the styles, methods and tones of communication have appropriateness for certain settings over others. This, too, is a soft skill that requires practice. Here are some ways that I’ve been refining that skill to become a stronger, more assured communicator this year:

Words are my reflective tools. As a scientist, I have consistently remained curious; often unphased by asking the “wrong” questions or clarifying what someone means if it does not align with my identity politics or views. My responsiveness and inquisition have not always been well received. This has created tensions – some subtle, others palpable. It’s okay to make mistakes. Write, read, edit, rewrite. Whether journalling as a daily practice; expanding on research for a thesis; speaking out; or creating a monthly blog, when I use words the world around me becomes a mirror.

Resistance met me along my path many times. When I was told that we will have to create not one but two vlogs as part of our series this year, I felt resistant to express myself through audiovisual media. I had never been challenged in this way (as I am far more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it), but in softening my resistance I realized that I have a passion for communicating this way, too. I thought it may even be fun to try make one science communication YouTube video every month. Though the “YouTuber” life was short-lived, my friend and I decided to start a neuroscience podcast! Keep an eye out for that – it’s called WENA.

I have BIG dreams, and vast interests. Dreaming, though not necessarily an external form of communication, is my tool for visualization. This experience as a blogger has allowed me to ponder and daydream outside of my current project. Oh, I have so many delicious plans for myself! Keeping these dreams vivid propels me into my future. I really, really like state-of-consciousness neuroscience – from active learning, to sleep; psychosis; seizures; dreaming; neuroethics… This is what I imagine researching in the years to come.

I have learned what peace means, to me. Peace is not simply conflict avoidance, but conflict resolution. Learning how to foster my own sense of inner and outer peace in academia is a direct result of blogging; engaging; sharing thoughts. Connection and community are things that I must stoke and kindle to feel supported. In academia, this sense of kinship isn’t a priority for everyone. Make peace with that. Communicate with compassion. Sometimes, just leave things be.

Lastly, blogging has reminded me to engage with knowledges (credit to The Academic Citizen for teaching me about knowledges in their plurality) wholeheartedly. Engagement amplifies knowledges. My life as a neuroscientist, a science communicator, an activist and a student is enriched with all the knowledges that surround me: from National Science Week trips to Venda, to JEDI in science and art exhibitions. Interaction is both auditory and perceptive. When we are attentive and acknowledge the knowledges (and their sources) that are being shared with us, we are savouring the ripest fruits.

I am tremendously appreciative to my fellow bloggers for their pieces and the work that they are doing “on-the-ground”. In parallel, I am exceptionally enamoured with our editor’s warm and concise style of leadership. I have listened actively and learned so much from the 2023 SAYAS blogging team. Thank you, Lonwabo, Ijeoma, Mukhtaar, and Prof. Jen! In working with you, my expression has felt affirmed, supported, and authentic. To the people on the other side of the screen who read my blogs – whether in full enjoyment or slight dislike – thank you for receiving me as I am.

Feel free to reach out! a.neuro.jo@gmail.com or @johanne_marais