Aholi So, one of the new Faces of Science: ‘I want to show what it means to be a researcher’
Lecturer and PhD candidate Aholi So is one of the KNAW’s new Faces of Science. By offering a glimpse into his life as a young scientist, he hopes to inspire young people and encourage their enthusiasm for science.
As a Face of Science, So wants to highlight the importance of the humanities. ‘Students and secondary school pupils all find what we do here at the university interesting,’ he says. ‘At the same time, the humanities and the quality of education are often the first to be hit by budget cuts. I think it helps if we, as scientists, engage more with the public and show why we try to understand cultures and cultural phenomena, so that we can also inspire people outside the scientific world. It’s great that the KNAW offers a training programme to help us do that as effectively as possible.’
Personal approach
So wants to take a personal approach to this. ‘Of course, I’ll share that I’m researching how languages survive in a migration context, but I want to focus on what it means to be a first-generation researcher and student. My parents never went to university, so they’ve never been able to help me with my academic career. I’m just figuring it out for myself. As a young researcher, you’re also exposed to all the AI developments, the uncertain job market within academia and the imposter syndrome that catches up with everyone sooner or later.’
As a student himself, he used to look up to the lecturers at university. ‘I thought they were all just very serious people who knew exactly what they were doing. Now I realise that actually stemmed from a romanticised idea I had. We all have the odd off day when we’re less productive, make a mistake during a presentation, or don’t dare ask our supervisor something. I want to show that all of this is perfectly acceptable, that we’re all just ordinary people and that we don’t have to live up to all sorts of expectations.’
Changing academia
Ideally, this will also bring about change within the academic world. ‘The current culture is toxic, for example because of how normal it is to work at weekends or in the evenings. In my teaching, I already take into account that public holidays (and weekends) are not study days. If such a day falls within an assignment period, I extend the deadline for students, but at the moment that still depends very much on the lecturer. Together with the KNAW, as the Face of Science, I want to explore how I can help stimulate more discussion about the general working culture.’
Do you have an experience or story you’d like to share with Aholi So? If so, you can contact him via a.so@hum.leidenuniv.nl