Our story · Our community
Next Level Career Communityfor women in academia
A community for women who want to take control of their careers so they can achieve more and find more joy in their academic lives — without burning out.
The founding story
I help female researchers take control of their careers so that they achieve more and find more joy in their academic lives — without burning out.
In my research, I study work identity, meaningful work, and stories about what is important to us in our work. I use ethnographic and narrative methods to talk to people about their work, life, and organisation.
Then I got the idea that I wanted to use my research interest in a way where I could help people and facilitate change through conversation — and not only through academic publications.
Being a researcher and a coach
I wanted to help people and facilitate change through conversation, not only through academic publications. In 2020, I finished my training as a coach and process consultant at DISPUK, an education centre for psychologists and other human-related professions.
The first light bulb moment
During my coaching training, I started 1:1 coaching sessions with women working as entrepreneurs or in the corporate world. Then a researcher contacted me, thrilled that she had finally found a coach who understood the unique challenges of the academic world.
This was the first light bulb moment: I could unite my excitement for coaching and facilitating change through conversation with my experience as a first-generation academic. Since then, I have used my research interests and my ability to coach individuals and groups to support academics — primarily female academics.
The second light bulb moment
The second light bulb moment struck amidst the isolating backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone was working from home; some were also home-schooling, caring for others, and simply trying to get by in a scary new reality.
I felt isolated and lacked meaning in my work, as the world seemed to have been turned upside-down. I started looking for online communities where female academics could connect, share experiences, and support one another. I didn’t find any. Maybe I should start one myself?
Who was I to start a network?
I was immediately struck by self-doubt. Who was I to initiate such a network? I had no experience doing feminist work. I had only just become a tenured associate professor myself after six years as a postdoc. I had no experience in starting a network — what did it even require?
I overcame the self-doubt the way I now help others do: by taking a tiny leap forward.
I started a Facebook Group. I thought it might be me and ten academic friends. But those ten friends invited ten of their friends, and soon the group started growing. In the beginning, it was only Danes; later the Swedes joined, then we expanded to Europe. Though it is still a Scandinavian and Europe-centred network, we welcome members from all over the world.
What the community is today
The network has been a playing field for me. Today it expands beyond the Facebook Group and includes many ways for women in academia to connect, learn, and support one another.
- A place to connect with like-minded women in academia.
- A space for honest conversations about academic careers and lives.
- A playing field for writing festivals, role-model interviews, workshops, Facebook Lives, and podcasts.
- An expanding network through the newsletter, private podcast feed, and LinkedIn group.
More women doing research — and thriving in leadership.
I am passionate about creating a world where more women do research and where research is more diverse and inclusive. I am a strong believer that we need more women who thrive in leadership positions within academia.
Together, we have created this community of like-minded women in academia. It keeps me going, and ideas for new initiatives keep coming.
See you inside!
Join the community