Do you want to be a successful researcher? Then you should follow these 10 pieces of advice
The article was from Sciencereport.dk, 11 December 2024, and was in Danish: Vil du være en succesfuld forsker? Så bø’r du følge de her 10 råd.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT. Young researchers across Scandinavia and the Baltic states have developed a guide to success. The DTU professor hopes that the list can work both as cultural onboarding for foreign researchers and as a reminder of good behaviour to others.
When DTU professor Andreas Laustsen-Kiel spent part of his early research career in Costa Rica, he boarded the break room coffee machine with the same courteous self-service as he was used to in Denmark.
Once a day, a woman also came by with a cup of coffee in the office for him, but he just thought that it was a nice colleague. However, the woman turned out to be employed for among other things serving the researchers coffee in their offices. While the coffee in the kitchen, which Andreas Laustsen-Kiel had merrily served himself, was a number of colleagues' private storage.
A cultural misunderstanding at the really mild end, he acknowledges. Nor was it a misdemeanor that put him in trouble among his Costa Rican colleagues. Nevertheless, it illustrates that, even though the world of research is closely connected globally, people still travel abroad to work in – more or less – foreign cultures. With what can follow from confusion, misunderstandings and controversy.
Now the cultural transition can be a little easier. At least if you as a researcher come to Denmark, another Scandinavian country or the Baltic States, which are charged with the simple guide Andreas Laustsen-Kiel came up with.
Through his work as a member of the young academies, DUA and YATSI, he has firmly managed a process of 60 researchers across seven academies for young talented researchers.
The result is a simple guide with ten tips on how to become a successful researcher in this part of the world. That is, in addition to conducting good and relevant research.
-There are lots of unwritten rules and cultural codes that can be difficult to decode on your own. Therefore, it is basically a cultural guide on how to become a good 'citizen', he says and continues: - Good behaviour isn't always of great importance in the world of research, but particularly in the Nordic countries it's appreciated and remembered.
Danish onboarding
Andreas Laustsen-Kiel says that he generally sees the ten tips as a good starting point for a conversation about culture. Therefore, he hopes that the list can become a useful tool in the onboarding of new international colleagues.
-It can serve as a broadly accepted basis for managers to say “This is how we work together” when welcoming a researcher from outside.
Specifically related to Denmark, he has himself experienced that, for example, it can be difficult for some foreign researchers to understand how much Danish researchers value a work/life balance that leaves room for children and family life. And that you won't remain very popular with your colleagues in the long run if you keep going with the expectation that people are there to hold meetings and work into the evening.
Another piece of good advice from the list that Andreas Laustsen-Kiel sees as particularly useful on Danish soil is the invitation to drop the email. In any case, he has noticed that not all foreign colleagues come from a culture where an informal tone has the same value. And who thus miss out on the often more useful information you can get if you take the conversation face to face.
Everyone knows everyone
Most important of all, however, according to Andreas Laustsen-Kiel, is to understand, as mentioned at the beginning, that it is remembered how you treat your colleagues and fellow human beings. Or as it says in the guide: "Be respectful, honorable, and generous to colleagues, as both positive and negative behaviors will be remembered and can impact your career." This is just particularly important in a small country like Denmark, he believes.
- If you behave badly in a big country like the United States or Germany, you can always move on to a new job in another state," he says and continues: -You just don't have that opportunity in the same way at home. Here your reputation will follow you. And depending on how you have behaved, it will affect your ability to engage in fruitful collaborations.
You don't have to be an outsider to benefit from the list, says Andreas Laustsen-Kiel. Because as the list suggests, it improves your chances of becoming a successful researcher if you follow it. In addition, it also has a positive effect on the community. Because there are, of course, both good and bad research environments in Denmark. Therefore, there are also researchers who grew up in the Danish research environment who could also do with being reminded of the good advice, he states. - This is meant as a positive list, which hopefully can have some self-education effect. We would certainly like to facilitate a message that this is how we behave towards each other.
Here are the 10 tips
- Be accommodating and build a good reputation. Your reputation spreads quickly.
- Don't be late. Prioritise punctuality and reliability.
- Understand the informal work culture. Skip the email (sometimes)
- Contribute to more than just research. By participating in activities related to knowledge dissemination, teaching, supervision, etc. you show commitment and good teamwork.
- Build a strong network early on. This may open opportunities and compensate for the limited funds available to junior researchers.
- Embrace the flat hierarchies. In the Nordic and Baltic countries, co-operation is often rather focused on topics rather than being centered around individual professors.
- Explore the different funding options. In Denmark, private foundations play a huge role, which is why it is a good idea to get to know the local foundation landscape.
- Participate in collaborations across research areas and disciplines. The academic community is small, so look beyond your own borders.
- Strengthen your sense of belonging and learn the local language. You will be better able to engage in informal interactions, as well as interact with and understand the political trends in the country in which you work.
- Adapt to the local work culture. Avoid planning compulsory meetings in the Nordic countries, for example, if it conflicts with family life.