Accepting appraisals
I’m nearing completion of my first SSHRC application. It has been an effort in persistence and acceptance. Acknowledging that everything I write is a work in progress is an understatement. Accepting words of praise in letters of appraisal from my supervisor and colleagues is humbling. Seeing my work mirrored through the eyes of others is something I’m learning to work on. Since my two page proposal has gone through significant editing, with the support of academics with a critical eye and an understanding of the audience for whom it’s being written, I’ve come to a better understanding that this is a work in progress, even once it’s been deemed to be done and ready for submission. I’m drawing parallels to the peer review process for academic publication where the first submission becomes a starting point for iterations toward a publishable piece of writing.
The second piece of learning for this application is persistence and detail. Reviewing the requirements at multiple times through the process and making sure the final submission is complete and has been reviewed over and over again. Just yesterday, as I reviewed the checklist for the final package, I realized I had missed the form for the consent to disclosure, and that the final checklist was also to be submitted. I’ve been emailing a series of individuals to confirm where and how to submit the final package by the required due date, with several critical questions being added into the mix by others in the email chains. Since processes for physical delivery are not clear, I still have some final details to confirm in order for this first submission to make it to it’s required location at the time it is required.
Once it’s done, its time to reflect and review on the process, but while I’m this close to the end, I wanted to take a moment to reflect in action – its not about whether this submission is granted or awarded funds. I’ve come to realize that there is so much to learn by going through the process and so many barriers or ‘ways of doing’ that need to be known. It’s being brave enough when asking questions, whether you make progress toward the end goal. It’s about accepting appraisals in the spirit which they are given – as a step toward improvement, both individual and in community growth. Now… back to work to get this package pulled together and shipped away. Then I’ll need to reflect more on the actual research project proposal.
