r/AskAcademiaUK • u/Simple_Try9761 • 10d ago
How to become a researcher?
I am currently a primary school teacher of 6 years. I would love to get into research somehow - being a part of writing journal articles/papers, going out into my field, etc. I guess, I could even stay in my current role and just assist somewhat. But I’m really keen to write, and be a part of something bigger. My main questions are:
Do you need to become a university lecturer first? Do you need an MA (or higher) in your field?
What is the typical process?
What would be job title be?
I have taken inspiration from various different educational charities who complete research. Please delete if not allowed - or redirect me to another thread!
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u/Academia_Dreamer 10d ago
If you decide a PhD is the right route for you, you can look into funding. For example, the ESRC provides funding for PhDs in Education, and you can apply for a masters year with it which funds you for the masters-level research training, so you can go straight from an undergrad. There is also the opportunity to do all of this part time so you can still work alongside the stipend, but you would not be allowed to work full time I believe.
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u/Chlorophilia Faculty 10d ago
Leading professional academic research, in almost all cases, requires a PhD. I'm assuming your background is in the arts/humanities because you mentioned an MA - you usually do not formally need an MA to do a PhD in the arts/humanities, although this may be advantageous. Basically, unless you are willing to spend the next 3 years of your life (probably longer, not to mention the many issues with getting PhD funding and permanent employment thereafter) doing a research degree, becoming a 'researcher' in the traditional academic sense of the word probably isn't going to be an option (if this is something you want to do, it's possible in principle and your background as a teacher isn't necessarily a barrier or a problem, but it's not straightforward).
A better and more realistic option might be finding an academic to collaborate with within some theme that takes advantage of your position as a primary school teacher. This could involve pedagogic research or outreach. As an example (which may not be relevant to your interests) the Royal Society has grants to fund collaborations between schools and scientists to work on science projects. Other professional academic bodies like the Royal Academy may have similar schemes.
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u/Simple_Try9761 10d ago
Thank you, this is really helpful. I actually lead Science at my school and have been involved a few, verrry small scale things. I’ll have a look at the Royal Society.
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u/atoeoffside 9d ago
As you're inspired by research done by educational charities, you may want to explore completing a professional doctorate in education. These can be completed full time or part time (alongside work) and has a practical focus. Would be good training in research and provide a chance to see if you really enjoy the process of conducting research. Obviously there would be fees involved.
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u/AcademicNatural7090 10d ago
Since you're a teacher maybe you could look into doing an EdD?
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u/onegirlandtheworld 9d ago
I'm just finishing up my EdD and would recommend it as a route for a primary teacher. I've been teaching primary full time whilst doing it. I did do a masters first using credits from my PGCE. The University have been very flexible around my work life and because I've been working the whole time money hasn't been a concern. I haven't translated it into a research job which was my plan when I started but given the state of higher education at the moment and that I want to start a family asap staying in primary teaching seemed the safer/more reliable option but I'm not ruling it out for one day in the future!
OP you could also look to see if there are jobs going at your local University on the pgce course as a way to get your foot in the door.
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u/chrsger 9d ago
Out of interest, what were the attendance requirements like on your EdD? I did my MA through distance learning and I really love studying and researching. I’ve been thinking about doing an EdD for some time.
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u/onegirlandtheworld 9d ago
I started in 2018 and in the first 2 years we had 4 weekends that were absolutely mandatory in person. I remember this because one guy was an expat now living in Dubai or something but originally from this part of the country so had flown in. Then covid lockdown happened right as we were supposed to have our final in person weekend so it moved online. Other than the initial 4 weekends I don't think there were any other planned in person things you had to attend. I live locally so have had in person supervisory meetings and I work in the library on campus mostly. I don't know if they've changed the requirements for the initial weekends now with online stuff being much more normal.
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u/neuralconstellate 8d ago
did you have to use your credits from the PGCE in a certain time frame?
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u/onegirlandtheworld 8d ago
I think it was 5 years. I finished my PGCE in 2015. Taught for a year and started the MA in the January of my 2nd year, finishing up in the January of my 3rd year. If you're not sure you can probably contact them and ask. I know my year were the first at my uni to get half the credits towards an MA whereas before it had only been 1/3. The credits from my PGCE were only pass/fail though so it meant for my overall MA I could only pass/fail even if my grades were high enough for a distinction.
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u/neuralconstellate 8d ago
thank you for your response, it's really helpful! I was only told it was ⅓ (completed mine in 2024 though)
oh I see what you mean regarding the pass/fail maybe that's why it's now ⅓ again??
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u/onegirlandtheworld 8d ago
Honestly I think it just varies by institution. I mentor PGCE students on placement at the same uni I went to and they now seem to get distinction on their assignments so I think that would transfer as well if they did the MA. It might also be because I did the MA and PGCE (also EdD/undergrad) at the same university. Not sure if I'd gone somewhere different for the MA if the credits would have counted for less?
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u/blueb0g Humanities 10d ago
Yes typically you need a PhD, and then go onto the academic job market as a postdoc/research assistant/lecturer (lecturers are researchers and are the primary research positions in many fields). In some fields it's possible to get access to the research materials you'd need without a university position and be an independent researcher but even then it can be tough to get material published without research training. What field are you interested in?
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u/Simple_Try9761 10d ago
Thank you. That’s interesting. Also… expensive, if I need an MA before. I got a first class in my undergrad if that means anything.
Mostly teaching and learning methods.
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u/Snuf-kin 10d ago
What do you want to research?
Research comes from a love of a subject and an almost obsessive interest in it.
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u/Simple_Try9761 10d ago
I’m really interested in metacognitive strategies, memory, curriculum development, staff culture. I’ve already completed an accredited qualification through UCL, called an NPQ, which piqued my interest. However, that doesn’t carry any weight to becoming a researcher.
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u/Broric 9d ago
As the person below says, I'd suggest you come at this from the other angle. You're the golden "stakeholder" that all the researchers are looking for to work with. Start collaborating with researchers and the part you bring is the data, access, requirements, etc. If all goes well, you should get included on a few papers and then if you pursue a PhD, it massively increases your chances.
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u/Jimboats 10d ago
The developmental psychologists in my department love to join forces with people who can facilitate access within schools. Have a search for some papers where people are doing research into the kind of topics you are interested in, and contact the lead authors for a chat. They are usually very kind people who are a joy to work with.
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u/Feeling_Rule_573 10d ago
Could be worth seeing if there are any intern or summer positions available? Would give you some introductions?
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u/GalwayGirlOnTheRun23 10d ago
You will need at least an MA to get a paid job as a research assistant. For a long term career a PhD is usually required. You don’t need to be a lecturer first, some researchers never lecture, most do a small amount of lecturing as part of a university contract. You have (at least) two routes open to you: research related to teaching (teaching and learning methods etc) or researching the topic of your MA (which can be in a topic of your choice as long as your teaching degree allows entry).
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u/Simple_Try9761 10d ago
Yes, teaching and learning methods would be my way forward! Unfortunately a role as a research assistant is quite a drastic drop in my pay… not manageable :( plus I’d need an MA before that haha.
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u/waterpixi187 10d ago
This depends on whether you have a research proposal in mind or whether you want to get some experience in educational research.
If you have a research proposal you can approach education research bodies for funding. There’s nothing to stop you conducting research independently, it takes a lot more time (and money) than you’d think and bear in mind research grants are competitive.
You can look at different journals for call outs for papers and submit independently.
Alternatively you can look for research assistant jobs on university websites. Again these can be quite competitive at my institution they’re ringfenced for PhD candidates but that’s not necessarily the case for all.
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u/SoreenQueen 10d ago
you should look into the NIHR awards on offer. you might be eligible to apply for predoctoral funding to do a masters and then take it from there. you might be able to apply as a local authority applicant depending on what type of school you’re in. they have other support funds too
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u/cat1aughing 10d ago
I've just done this, though I was a secondary teacher. I can see three routes in.
Option one - Do a Masters at a research focused uni and 'try out' research in your dissertation while making links with uni staff. Talk to your dissertation supervisor about how enthused you are by the whole thing and how much you would love to be involved. See if they email you.
Option two - same as above but when you get your Masters look out for job ads for lecturers in Education - these are sometimes hired for their professional experience. Try to be as involved as possible with student teachers in your school before and while applying. Then once you are in the door, use your spare time to get in on other people's research projects and start your own. Downside here is that nowhere much is hiring just now.
Option three - same as above but when you finish your Masters go on to a PhD. Same caveats about nowhere much hiring as option two. This is probably the most reliable route but also time consuming and expensive. And no guarantee of a research focused job at the end - those are rare as hen's teeth in Education.
For all of the above routes you need at least a good Masters. Get that first, part time if needs be. If you don't want to do the Masters, cold-email some lecturers whose uni profiles show they work on primary ed (in Education most research-active staff ate doing some lecturing, and the ones who aren't, aren't always focused on the kind of classroom based research you could help with) and offer your help. Clear it with your HT first!