PhD Graduation Cohort 2023
HEIs: University of Stirling, University of Glasgow and Scottish Book TrustÂ
Funding: AHRC CDA
Project Title: Women of Words: Gender Equality in 21st Century Scottish Book Publishing
Supervisors: Claire Squires (University of Stirling), Elizabeth Reeder (University of Glasgow), Caitrin Armstrong (Scottish Book Trust)
What was your research about?
I wanted to examine the quantifiable difference between men’s contemporary literary production in Scotland and that of women and non-binary people. Additionally I sought to find out how gender inequality manifests in the Scottish literary sector and why it persists. Finally, I investigated how these issues could be addressed.
What made you apply for the SGSAH AHRC CDA?
When I started my PhD in 2017, I had been working in the literary sector for several years: I was a writer, event programmer, had managed projects at literary advocacy organization Scottish PEN, and I’d also co-ordinated the gender and sexuality studies platform genderED at University of Edinburgh. So with all this experience, I was extremely intrigued when the studentship for this PhD was advertised for applicants – the question of what’s going on with gender equality in the literary sector puzzled me. I knew from my own experience that literature is a female-dominated sector, and I also knew the challenges so many women and gender minorities were facing. I went into the PhD with no fixed ideas of what I would find, but just genuine curiosity to learn more.
Which aspects of your PhD did you enjoy the most?
I particularly enjoyed meeting and collaborating with others. Some of my favourite memories are of starting a new project with my peers and seeing it become more than the sum of its parts as we all added to it. For example, I enjoyed organising The Art and Science of Research, an interdisciplinary workshop with colleagues who I met during SGSAH activities, and the PGR conference Gender in the Arts and Humanities with colleagues at Stirling. I’m also so grateful I got to do an internship with the Stella Prize, a women and non-binary authors prize in Melbourne Australia, who also published a count of literary reviewing.
I appreciated getting to take a long time to think about something – so often previously I had felt like I needed answers quickly, and it was novel and wonderful to take a long time to really chew over one question, and go down the rabbit hole a bit.
I loved the Millport retreat with SGSAH – we went on a boat ride and it was the first time in a long time I can remember not actively thinking about my research but just being present in the moment!
How has your PhD helped you to decide on a career path?
It’s been transformational. I have had the opportunity to teach, which I really love, and to develop my research interests. Lately it’s also been great to connect with colleagues in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and work in both my languages – I’m originally from Austria but have lived in Scotland since 2013, so doing a postdoc fellowship in Germany was a wonderful opportunity to read and write in German as well as English again.
And now?
I’m working part-time in an independent bookshop, which is also inspiring my research – I’m presenting work about the history of Edinburgh’s Radical Bookfair at a conference this autumn!
I’ve just published an industry-facing report on gender equality in Scottish literature which I worked on for two years since graduating, it summarises my key findings and brings them to those who can put it into practice.
I’m working on a proposal for a new piece of creative non-fiction, and at my bookshop I’m about to launch the programme for the romance fiction festival I run.
One piece of advice you would give an incoming PhD researcher?
Make friends & collaborate with others! The friends I made during my PhD were absolutely vital, and especially with so much of my PhD journey taking place during the pandemic I would not have been able to finish if it wasn’t for their support and solidarity.
My central advice is to take breaks and ask for help: it’s a marathon and not a sprint. You’ll experience a steep learning curve and that’s how it’s meant to be – someone once told me that the PhD is an apprenticeship, so don’t expect yourself to know everything on day 1. Oh and keep lots of notes where you can easily find them, and back up your work regularly!
CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA (they/she)
Website: https://christinaneuwirth.com/
Report: https://quinereport.com/