Onwards and Upwards: Reframing Failure in Research

About

Facilitator: Natalie James.
The course of research rarely runs smoothly. The road towards research success undoubtedly involve setbacks: a failed experiment, a rejected article, a collaboration that breaks down, or an unfunded research bid. Even for researchers at the peak of their career, failures are an inevitable, necessary, but sometimes uncomfortable part, of the research process. In this interactive, discussion-led workshop, we explore and reframe the concept of failure in research. We will consider the opportunities failure presents for renewal, innovation, and progress. We also explore how we can cultivate mindsets and pragmatic approaches that enable us to move through the discomfort of failure towards positive research outcomes. Participants will explore the differences between fixed and growth mindset approaches to failure, examine a range of practical tools and approaches to manage and move on from setbacks in research and reflect on shared experiences and ideas to identify learning and opportunities for progress.