There have for sure been ‘bumps in the road’ and hand-wringing moments, however, overall, I would say my ‘return to academia’ (in my mid/late 40s!) has been pretty thrilling!
Beginning to see my research published is very rewarding. It only motivates me to continue the work, which I also feel very fortunate to consider a passion as well.
During my 1st 3 years as a PhD student, while doing my fieldwork & working on my dissertation-related papers, I have also created opportunities for others to publish & gained more experience in editorial roles, including for:
- A special issue on ‘Walkability & Mobility Justice’ for the Cities & Health journal
- A Special issue on ‘Spatial, Environmental & Social Dimensions of the 15-Minute City’ for the Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability
- -A contributed book volume on ‘Walkability & Planetary Health: Resilience, Engagement, Education & Nature’ for the University of Vermont Press
These editorial opportunities really helped me understand how much I enjoy designing and promoting calls for publication. Over the last 3 years and via my fieldwork, I also learned how much I value designing community-engaged research methods balanced with documenting local expertise on specific themes.
5 years ago, while as a mainly stay-at-home mom, I started Pedestrian Space as an Instagram account, with the aim of visually documenting best practices + enablers as well as barriers to walkability that I was observing in the central Swedish city we lived in at the time.
Pedestrian Space has since developed into a website, media/advocacy/research platform and NGO. Much of the thought process & intention there (focused on issues of spatial equity and urban resilience) not only emerge in my PhD work but are a crucial part of its foundation.
Anyone who knows me also knows I have more research ideas than I have time for, so collaborative approaches are truly key, in addition to independent work.
Working these days on finalizing my last dissertation papers and beginning to explore next roles.
Greetings from the Path 👏
-Annika
Visit my ResearchGate profile here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/AnnikaLundkvist-2/research