Johanna Stadlbauer on boundaries, agency, and community building (CAL125, S6 E19)

Johanna Stadlbauer is an anthropologist working in researcher development at the University of Graz, recently made Head of Research Careers Campus Graz. Her mission is a more fun and kind academia. Johanna shares the experiences and challenges of her journey from a PhD to quitting a postdoc in anthropology, to doing NGO work part-time, and then coming back to academia for a researcher development role. Her work now is focused on creating a supportive and kind academic environment, with the aim to improve researcher well-being and foster a sense of community. She discusses establishing structures for postdoctoral researchers' support and community, and highlights initiatives like the writing retreat, Fiasco Fest, and peer mentoring, which aim to improve researcher well-being and foster a sense of community. Johanna is a role model for how to navigate a career path and your work role on your own terms. She is really clear on her own boundaries, and what she needs to feed herself and look after her work-life balance. She also reminds us the value of peer support, of telling people their contributions matter, and of taking the time to savour the good. She reminds us of the significance of agency, community support, and the need for transparency and understanding in academia.

00:00 CAL125 Johanna Stadlbauer

03:03 Introduction and Guest Background

03:56 Journey from Anthropology to Research Development

06:18 Postdoc Experience and Challenges

07:42 Deciding to Quit the PostDoc

12:05 Transition to NGO Work

15:57 Finding Balance and Setting Boundaries

19:47 Messaging in Academia

23:35 Permanent Contract and Current Role

29:27 Towards a Fun and Kind Academia and Experiences of Power Abuse

31:26 Finding Solutions and Positive Structures

33:31 Balancing Critique and Support in Academia

35:58 Empowering Postdocs and Addressing Structural Issues

40:12 The Importance of Community, Peer Support and Mentoring

49:39 Promoting Good Working Environments for Researcher Wellbeing

52:03 Personal Reflections and Final Thoughts

56:53 End 

Related Links

Johanna's web page (English version)

Head of Research Careers Campus Graz 

Researcher Development in Graz Blog 

LinkedIn pages for Johanna, the PostDoc Office, and Research Careers Campus Graz

The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) 

Max Planck PhD Net 

Balint Group Method