Olivia

I have a twin track brain. What I want for my work, and what I want for my family.

Olivia has always been a researcher, straight from finishing her undergraduate degree. After 20 years on contracts dependent on external funding, she has just started a permanent position. She has a real love for her work, has been called a ‘workaholic’ and has burnt out a couple of times in the past. Since she had children, things have changed a bit. But she still works long hours – sacrificing sleep to make sure everything gets done.

Olivia sees her own time as being undisturbed doing research alone or having time ‘sitting on the landing’ browsing her files and piles of reading. Olivia tells us of how she learned to negotiate time and permission to apply for research grants when on ‘soft money’ research contracts. Now she has an open-ended contract Olivia feels she has more ‘breathing space’ to write up research without constantly thinking about applying for the next grant in her own time. She still keeps her work with her all the time: for example, she does marking by the pool while the kids are at swimming lessons on a Saturday morning. But she doesn’t mind spending her weekend this way.

Olivia’s comic: ‘Surrendering to the noise’

Olivia says she has never really minded working in her own time.

“My work is me.”
[Image Description] Olivia looks happy.

She’s always been a researcher, casualised for 20 years.

“I have found my niche.”
[Image Description] Olivia with laptop.

Six months ago, she started a open-ended lectureship.
[Image Description] Olivia working on laptop.

She carves out time for her work in unusual places. During her kids’ swim lesson, she is completely focused on her tasks.

“Research is never done.”

“There is always more reading, more analysis, more editing.”

“I’d do this in my free time.”
[Image Description] Olivia working on her laptop sitting at a table at the swimming pool which is busy and noisy. A clock on the wall shows 10 past 10.

“But I’ve lost the skill of just being a mum.”
[Image Description] Close up of Olivia at her laptop.

[Image Description] Close up of Olivia at her laptop deep in thought.

[Image Description] Clock showing 11 o’clock

“Stop working!”
[Image Description] Olivia’s daughter grabbing her shoulders

[Image Description] Olivia’s daughter gives her a hug with other daughter looking on.

Olivia: “Hey, what do I do for work?”

[Image Description] Olivia’s daughter makes laptop tapping noises.

“I actually have no idea.”
[Image Description] Olivia’s daughter replies in thought

[Image Description] Olivia and her daughters leave the swim centre.

“I default to reading something related to work in my free time.”
[Image Description] Olivia and her daughters arrive home.

Olivia’s new contract has lifted her funding pressures. Her job is more secure. But she still finds ways to overfill her week with research-related activities.

Olivia: “Honey, has anything changed about how i work since i got a permanent contract?”

“No, nothing.”
[Image Description] Olivia and her husband in the kitchen.

“I love being a mum and my family is beautiful…”
[Image Description] Olivia at the bottom of the stairs.

“…but quiet and studious is my safe space.”
[Image Description] Olivia climbing the stairs.

“For me, my own time is the time spent in solitude.”

“My true calling is a monk.”
[Image Description] Olivia sitting on the landing on the stairs.

“It’s about balance,”

“Honouring who i am, and also embracing the gift of the kids…”
[Image Description] Olivia sitting on the landing on the stairs with daughters shouting in background ‘She’s making fun of me, No fair, Stop it, Ugh you’re so annoying, Muuuuum’.

[Image Description] Olivia looking at her books on the stair landing.

“Mum!”

“…and the noise around it.”
[Image Description] Daughter jumps into Olivia’s arms.

[Image Description] Olivia and her daughter cuddle.

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