What are the main challenges and opportunities of home working as researchers?
How can we master the recent changes in professional and personal life?
How can we help our communities and society in complex periods?
These questions are becoming more and more important in 2020, as the world faces a critical situation (way beyond academia) and new solutions are required in many aspects of human life. Work is one of them, and it is particularly important due to its connection with personal and social life.
Many people define this period as “a time of change and uncertainty”, which is indeed true. We cannot easily predict how this crisis will evolve in the mid- and long-term, and it is not always clear what we can do as citizens to give a practical, positive contribution. At the same time, we realize that our social interactions, work habits and conditions, as well as human relationships, are changing. This may have an impact on our personal well-being and may require some efforts for us to deal with it.
Multiple unexpected challenges are ahead of us, and we need to decide how to face them, as human beings and researchers. This can be an opportunity to grow and discover more about our own personality, mindset and principles, and leverage on our psychological and intellectual resources.
“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” (J.C. Maxwell)
I recently discussed some of these aspects in the presentation “Make the best use of home office” for a digital Peer Mentoring event organized with AMP, the Scientific Staff Association of the Physics Department of ETH Zurich. The presentation slides (click here or see below) introduce a selection of good practices and interesting technologies that can help to face the new reality of professional and personal life, encompassing the following topics:
- Space and time management
- Task planning
- Communication
- Learning and teaching
- Personal well-being
- Solidarity
- Dealing with uncertainty
The presentation is now freely available to read and download at the bottom of this post. Enjoy this reading, and remember: your feedback is welcome!
Photo: Picture of a mural in Los Angeles, USA, by Simone Biasco
Biasco Physics 