Overseas Institution Report: Beatriz González Fernández

Nottingham DTC student Beatriz González Fernández, reporting back after her ESRC-funded Overseas Institution Visit to Western Ontario University, Canada

A PhD thesis idea is always sparked by a specific author or paper which shapes our research. Regardless to whether we investigate a particular issue with the idea in mind of refuting or corroborating that author’s claims, it seems true that that researcher is present in our thoughts and discussions throughout the whole PhD process. That is why when I came across the possibility of visiting the author whose research informed mine, I knew I couldn’t miss that opportunity. And my supervisor, of course, agreed with me.

In April 2016 I met that scholar at an international conference, and I observed with excitement that he was attending my presentation. At that time I knew that his impression of my work would determine my chance to visit and work with him. After the presentation, my supervisor and I approached him to get his insight on my research, and after a thought-provoking discussion we brought up the idea of a possible visit to his institution, having him as a mentor. He was positive about the idea, and one year later I was heading to Canada to spend six weeks learning from Professor Stuart Webb at Western Ontario University.

My visit took place between April and June 2017. Even though it was a short time, I had already organised and planned multiple activities with three main objectives in mind:

1. Being able to approach my area of investigation with multiple different stances, enriching my PhD research by providing a different perspective to my discussions.
2. Disseminating the findings of my doctoral research across different institutions and to different audiences.
3. Meeting and networking with other scholars (staff and postgraduates) in my field of research.

When doing a PhD, one starts specialising in a small area of research that is shaped by the approach followed by our institution or supervisors. While this approach might well fit with our personal interpretation of that area of investigation, one of the risks is to become too centred in that approach, overlooking the different angles from which the same issue can be examined. Visiting and working in a different institution and with different people challenges your viewpoint, while helping us step back and open our minds to new ideas. In order to get immersed in a new stance, I attended the weekly seminars organised by Professor Webb, and undertook several tutorials to discuss my research. He was filled with new ideas that broadened my field-related horizons. Under his great mentorship, I was encouraged to think about my thesis findings in novel ways. Approaching my results from a different point of view has enriched the quality of my discussion and thesis in general. Moreover, it has helped me delve into the advantages and disadvantages of my standpoint as it relates to research, as well as determining what is my personal interpretation and why I have chosen that stand.

This visit allowed me to interact with this professor and engage in discussions at a level that cannot be done during the time of a conference. During these dialogues we realized that not only had we common research interests, but also that our approach to research in the field complemented each other’s. This has resulted in the development of the design for a collaborative project. Collaborating with one of the most prominent and prolific scholars in the field at this stage of my PhD would had never been possible without the Overseas Institution Visit opportunity.

During this visit, I also took the opportunity to present my research at multiple institutions across Canada and USA (i.e., Western Ontario University, Carleton University, Ottawa University and Western Michigan University). These experiences not only allowed me to improve my general presentation skills, but also to practice adapting the tone and content of my research to different audiences: master’s students, PhD students and scholars, or second language teachers. Apart from helping me develop my presentation skills, the dissemination of my research across these institutions helped create more impact for my research. These presentations also allowed me to engage in fruitful discussions and establish new relationships and connections with other scholars. Since academia is increasingly moving towards becoming more global and collaborative, building a network of likeminded researchers becomes particularly important for a positive future career.

This Overseas Institution Visit has been one of the most fulfilling experiences throughout my PhD, both personally and academically. Not only did I discover and develop a new viewpoint to Second Language Acquisition research and learnt more about the academic research context in Canada, I also met fascinating people from all around the world with common interests and priorities. I believe this visit fellowship is definitely a unique experience: it opens your mind to new ways of working and thinking, gives you time to step back from  your PhD to improve other important areas of an academic career, and provides you with an invaluable personal and social experience.

I would recommend other PhD fellows to apply for it. Although the application process is time-consuming and the award competitive, it is worth trying to live this once-in-a-life-time opportunity. Make sure that your supervisor supports you, and if there is an obvious academic or institution that connects with your research, then give it a go!

Beatriz González Fernández