Elaine Gregersen

Associate Professor, Northumbria University

Associate Professor in Law at Northumbria University

Why I feel it’s important to share rejection stories in academia

Rejection sucks. It can affect us like physical pain. When I was a law student I applied to a significant number of law firms for a job. Despite many interviews, I didn’t get any offers of employment. Slowly but surely, I pinned the rejection letters to the wall of my student digs. Two years of rejection. Two years of rejection letters. I had very nearly given up.  And then, on the day of graduation, I landed a job - the greatest job!

Finding a buddy is one of the most important things to do during your PhD

I am not someone who needs to be surrounded by people. So last year when I applied to be on a professional doctorate programme, I wasn’t troubled when family and friends talked of long hours ‘doing the PhD’ by myself. Well, then I met Rachel. And from that point on, everything changed!

While writing about your academic life, I say go with your gut

A few years ago, as part of my professional doctorate, I started a diary about my working life. I turned to my diary when things went wrong. And my diary entries were a powerful insight into my academic life, especially my role as a law clinic supervisor. There was just one problem. I wasn’t just writing about myself. My diary entries were entirely due to and dependent on the supervisory relationship I had with my students. Even though I didn’t name anyone in my diary, the more I wrote, the more I started to worry.