There are many helpful perspectives and analogies out there to help us frame or envision the role of research (Cristina Janzer talks about researchers as Scouts, Alec Levin as a role similar to a consigliere, Behzod Sirjani uses teachers as a metaphor and Justin Threlkeld often uses the term Knowledge gardeners) All of them offer helpful lenses and I'd like to add one additional, hopefully additive perspective to the chorus. I've been thinking about my role as a Research leader similar to that of an Innkeeper.
Before I get into what that means for the research practice I want to cultivate, I will share a short story about an experience at an Inn on the Isle.
We were living in Scotland at the time, where I was pursuing my Masters degree. Two friends from the US were visiting so we took a trip to the Isle of Skye with some Scottish friends. Fiona and I were studying together, and my husband and I had become fast friends with her and her partner Euan. They knew the area and helped plan and organize the trip. We were excited for the connection between old and new friends, bridging different life phases and cultures and facilitating a memorable shared experience for all of us.
After a beautiful and tiring drive, we arrived at a little cottage on the edge of the island a little too early to check in. It was cold and dark (and properly pissin‘, of course) so we asked for directions to the nearest pub. A small, windy road led us to a tiny house along the sea. It felt like we were in someone’s home as we entered a simple cozy living room. The hosts were…very Scottish — calm and kind, warm and welcoming. Time slowed down in the best way possible. The space was perfect for us to sit together, rest and connect. And the homemade venison pies and fresh-caught fish were some of the best meals in my memory. We sat at a corner table by a window and I don’t think I realized it at the time, but the atmosphere, the views, the smells, the food, and the staff enabled the perfect moment of connection-making between our friends from the US and our new friends in Scotland, as well as re-connection for us with friends old and new. We didn’t facilitate any of this, we didn’t even consciously think about it, but the environment enabled and supported this conversation, the connection, the memories…
I reflected on this experience over the past few weeks while processing my role and contributions in my work life. I’ve been leading research teams and building research practices in Tech for a while now. Lately, I‘ve been grappling with the tension around what is expected vs where I (and some fellow travelers) see the opportunity for sustainable impact and change. I’m thinking about the work many of us are doing and the work we want to be (and should be) doing. The gap between where we are as a practice and a community and the potential many of us see for it. I've been reflecting on my own role in this, especially when centering our work on “being researchers”, not “doing research“ *(h/t Behzod ).*
The work I want to focus on is setting up the conditions for shared learning and connection-making to happen, akin to the role of an Innkeeper.