Authentic PPIE – the (re)search for authentic engagement

Today has been a sunny day in Portsmouth, which makes a welcome change from the almost non-stop rain we’ve had since Christmas. Lots of things have been happening behind the scenes, so I thought an update was in order!

The confusion and upset around the NIHRs decision to defund their PPIE department rumbles on. The NIHR and DHSC (Dept for Health and Social Care) are now engaging with various practitioner groups across the country to offer reassurance and support. As I’m no longer in a PPIE role, I’m letting my colleagues take the lead on this, so we’ll see what comes from it….? That said, there’s an article I’m co-authoring about PPIE in the research ecosystem which, if we get it published in the next six months, will be very timely!

Meanwhile my metaphorical brain has been churning with new thoughts about the ‘Healthcare Solar System’ and the ‘Research Ecosystem’s Furniture Assault Course’. Look out for posts about those two in a few days time!

I had my interview for the Northumbria PhD yesterday. It was via Teams and there was a panel of 5 people interviewing me. (Fortunately, it’s not my first 5-person panel interview, so that’s helpful!). I think it went well and I hope I answered the questions well enough. I think the issue is going to be around the fact that I want to do the PhD part-time and perhaps they’re not sure I’d be a very good investment? Apparently 50% of part-time PhD candidates don’t complete the course, so they might think that someone else who wants to do it full-time would be a better bet? I guess I’ll have to wait and see…

I think, in all honesty, if I don’t get offered the chance to do the PhD, I’m just going to keep researching and writing anyway. Whilst it would give me extra research capacity and credibility, I’m beginning to have a better sense of what I’m capable of, which is good 🙂 In the world of academia, papers, posters and conferences are all currency, and whilst no-one really likes it, we all know that there’s a hierarchy when it comes to research and knowledge creation. Someone with a Masters has more clout than an undergrad, and someone with a PhD trumps a Masters degree. I don’t have a Masters degree, but I do have a lot of professional and lived experience, so my hope is that my practical skills & experience will balance me out if/when I make the jump from Batchelors Degree to Doctorate. I should find out either way by the end of this month, so I’ll cross my fingers and see what comes?!

I’m really enjoying my new job 🙂 There’s more variety and it all fits nicely into the spaces where I have a lot of interests. I’ve also been able to connect up with people I used to work with in different places and spaces, so that’s really nice. I’m enjoying all the learning and big conversations, as well as the practical support for projects and people, so all in all I’m in a good place work-wise. I’ve also been picking up a lot more followers on LinkedIn – that was kind of unexpected, but it’s nice that people are finding my burblings useful or interesting!

One final thought. I read a lot in my spare time. I like romance and fantasy genres but also crime novels and detective stories. There was a scene in the book I’m currently reading which really struck me, and I thought I’d share it here:

Bree has survived a traumatic experience and John has recently been released from prison. Bree has been recounting her experiences after she was attacked and feels frustrated that it’s taking her so long to heal and feel like ‘her old self’.

“I thought if I could get back to the old me, everything would be better. But it’s not about going back is it?”

John shakes his head. “Nah, the past is the past. The future is something way the f**k out there. I’ve always found it best to focus on right now? Doesn’t matter what the situation is. I always ask myself, what can I do right now?”

“What can I do right now?” I repeat, mulling over the words. “Like, get up off the floor?”

“Maybe,” he says with a shrug. “Or think of it this way. The person you want to be? This future version of you? What would she do right now?”

“Well sh*t.” She sure as hell wouldn’t be wallowing in the mud the way I seem to be. She wouldn’t spend so much time thinking about what could have happened. She’d be grateful for every breath.

Yoda’s my next-door neighbour. Who knew?

Extract from The Brash Brothers series, book 7 by Jenna Myles

So here’s my closing thought for this post: What might the future version of you look like? And what would they be doing right now, to tackle the things you’re dealing with (good & bad)? Food for thought…