Why we need ACADEMICAS?

From Academica to Amica

Research has always interested me.

Even as a child, I was often finding myself questioning everything around me, trying to get as many answers, hoping there is more than one that is correct. It was a somewhat instinct to not accept what I get as it is, but to challenge and analyse different possibilities. I often wonder why that was?

Nonetheless, this interest of mine has only continued to grow over the last 28 years of my life and, an Architecture degree, a research scholarship, and a fellowship later... here I am - doing a PhD. Whilst I still think this is not where I envisaged myself being when I was that little child questioning everything, now I am certain that this is exactly where I was destined to be.

One could say research is in my DNA. Cheesy, right?

“Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing.”

Wernher von Braun, Aerospace engineer

Even though it looks like my entire life has led me to this moment, now.. that I'm here.. it feels lonely and isolating. As the only researcher in my department it is often overwhelming how quiet it can get. Whilst the support received from my Supervisors is great, I found that what I really need is a community of women like myself from whom to learn about the challenges of this profession and the obstacles I am about to encounter along my route through the PhD.

I've started looking for a network... but there was nothing specifically aimed at what I was seeking. The few social media groups I found didn't seem to have been active in years. This has provoked loads of questions in my mind...

If I am feeling like this.. I cannot be the only one!

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Why Academicas?

Académicas

akaˈðemika

noun

• the plural and feminine of 'académico' (academic);

• a teacher or scholar in a university or other institute of higher education.

Amicas

aˈmi.ka

noun​

• female friend

• female equivalent of 'amico'

The name of the platform has been inspired from the Spanish 'Académicas', which is the plural and feminine of 'académico' which means academic. The English language does not have grammatical gender which frequently leads to preconceptions that a specific role can only be filled by a man. This is affecting women in the academic field all over the world who are still suffering from gender inequality and discrimination.

It is my aim to unite the academicas out there in an attempt to stir the development of a growing community of women academics across the globe, break those psychological and emotional barriers between us, bring us together and allow us to learn from each other.

Being connected will not only help us improve our networks and connections within the wider academic sector, but it will offer us an opportunity to relate to other women other there and their stories, ultimately growing our confidence and self-esteem.

There is no reason why we cannot be Amicas.