Alice Fleerackers

Our lab is growing! In our *Three Questions* series, we're profiling
each of our members and the amazing work they're doing.

Today, we're highlighting [Michelle
La](http://scholcommlab.ca/people/michelle-la){rel="noreferrer noopener"
target="_blank"}, a master's student studying the [subculture of sneaker
enthusiasts](https://the-peak.ca/2018/10/what-grads-do-the-fascinating-culture-and-economy-of-sneakers/){rel="noreferrer noopener"
target="_blank"} at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and a research
assistant at the ScholCommLab. In this post, she tells us about her
research on the pressures facing early-career academics, her efforts to
help train teaching assistants for remote education, and more. 

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
<img
src="https://www.scholcommlab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/michelle-la-edited-scaled.jpg"
class="wp-image-3321" loading="lazy" decoding="async"
srcset="https://www.scholcommlab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/michelle-la-edited-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.scholcommlab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/michelle-la-edited-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.scholcommlab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/michelle-la-edited-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://www.scholcommlab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/michelle-la-edited-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.scholcommlab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/michelle-la-edited-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.scholcommlab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/michelle-la-edited-2048x1536.jpg 2048w"
sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" width="2560" height="1920"
alt="Michelle La, scholarly communications lab research assistant, smiles at the camera" />
<figcaption>Michelle La, ScholCommLab research assistant and SFU
master’s student</figcaption>
</figure>

## Q#1 What are you working on at the lab?  {#q1-what-are-you-working-on-at-the-lab .wp-block-heading}

At the lab I work on the qualitative research components of the Review,
Promotion, and Tenure (RPT) project. Specifically, I survey the RPT
requirements and corresponding documentation from research-oriented
institutions across North America. I am interested in the ways these
institutions frame the value of academic outputs in their RTP documents
(e.g. publishing in a high impact journal versus in an open access
journal). By doing this, I can see the ways institutions covertly and
overtly use language to discourage pre-tenured faculty from
disseminating their research in non-traditional academic ways, such as
through social media, podcasting, open access platforms, etc.  

<figure class="wp-block-pullquote">
<blockquote>
By doing this [research,] I can see the ways institutions covertly
and overtly use language to discourage pre-tenured faculty from
disseminating their research in non-traditional academic ways
Michelle La
</blockquote>
</figure>

## Q#2 Tell us about a recent paper, presentation, or project you're proud of.  {#q2-tell-us-about-a-recent-paper-presentation-or-project-youre-proud-of. .wp-block-heading}

In the late spring of 2020, SFU was pivoting to remote learning due to
the pandemic. I worked with [SFU's Centre for Educational
Excellence](https://www.sfu.ca/cee.html){rel="noreferrer noopener"
target="_blank"} to develop the university's first comprehensive course
to help train TAs/TMs (teaching assistants and tutor markers) for
teaching in the remote environment. The modules were developed and
informed by my teaching experience having taught hundreds of students as
a TA/TM. So far, the course has received over 38,000-page views from
TAs, TMs, and instructors throughout the university. Working on that
project is one of my proudest accomplishments as a graduate student.

## Q#3 What's the best (or worst) piece of advice you've ever received?  {#q3-whats-the-best-or-worst-piece-of-advice-youve-ever-received .wp-block-heading}

The best piece of advice that I am going to heed into 2021 is to
actively practice self-compassion. I was inspired by [The Happiness Lab
podcast episode "Dump Your Inner Drill
Sergeant,"](https://www.pushkin.fm/episode/dump-your-inner-drill-sergeant/){rel="noreferrer noopener"
target="_blank"} where researcher and author Kristin Neff discusses the
plethora of benefits that practising self-compassion can bring to
yourself and the others around you.

Our lab is growing! In our

 Three Questions

series, we’re profiling each of our members and the amazing work they’re doing. Today, we’re highlighting Michelle La, a master’s student studying the subculture of sneaker enthusiasts at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and a research assistant at the ScholCommLab.

Rogue Scholar Beiträge

Three questions with…. Michelle!