Learning How to Swim (again)
The first year of my Leverhulme Trust project was the 'UK leg' which I detailed in a previous post. However, the start of my second year felt like being thrown into the depths of the ocean, as I faced the challenge of completing some training & other research-related activities, as well as organising an international trip to continue my research in Jamaica in the limited time frame of one year. The daunting task of coordinating across borders, managing logistics, & ensuring the trip's success weighed heavily on me. It was a plunge into unknown waters, testing my resilience & adaptability.
Earlier, at the start of this second year, I took part in the Young Archivist course as part of my ‘swimming lessons’ and I detailed this experience in a previous post. My next task was to organise my Jamaican research trip & fortunately for me, I realised I wasn't alone as I had a network of connections, ready to help. Colleagues offered advice, family & friends provided insights, & local contacts became invaluable resources. This support network became my lifeline. Their insights, encouragement, guidance, & shared experiences were the strokes that propelled me forward, turning overwhelming challenges into manageable tasks. They made the daunting task of organising the trip much easier & taught me how to navigate the deep waters of international research as an independent researcher.
Out in the Field
I replicated the fieldwork from year one of this fellowship, which included three parts: archival & document research, three types of interviews (with experts, descendants bearing the last name Pennant, & local people), & site visits. In the first year, I was hosted by Bangor University’s School of History, Law & Social Sciences for the duration of my stay. The only difference was that this time, I conducted it in Jamaica.
During my research trip to Jamaica, I was based in Kingston & hosted as a visiting fellow at the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica Memory Bank (ACIJ/JMB), where I used my time there to conduct most of my archival & document research. I completed 14 interviews (I chose to do fewer based on year one) both in Kingston & beyond, & my site visits took me to Clarendon- the heart of my research. Here, theory met reality, & my research came alive. Immersed in the local environment, I engaged with the community, collecting valuable data & insights. This hands-on experience enriched my understanding & added a new dimension to my work, making it one of the most rewarding aspects of my time in Jamaica.
Challenges
During my fellowship, I faced several challenges that tested my adaptability & resilience. Here are some key challenges I encountered:
What to Pack
Packing for a 3-month research trip in a tropical environment, vastly different from the UK, was quite the experience! Since this wasn’t a holiday, I needed appropriate workwear while also considering the hot weather. I had many questions like: how much body lotion would I need for the entire trip & is the one I use available there? Should I bring home comforts & print all my documents in case I can’t over there? Would one suitcase be enough? Ultimately, I managed & learned a lot about what to pack for year three’s research trip to West Africa!
Different time zones
It took a while for my body to adjust to the new time zone as Jamaica is six hours behind the United Kingdom during British Summer Time (BST). Since I was still working, I needed to ensure I remained available to answer emails & stay active in my department. Setting my calendar to display both Jamaican & UK times was helpful for scheduling & attending online meetings at suitable times for everyone. Additionally, having an out-of-office message to inform people of potential delays in my responses & explaining that emails might come at odd times due to my fieldwork in a different time zone proved to be useful strategies.
One woman band
As is typical with early career fellowships where you are the PI, you are expected to handle everything to do with your project- with some advice from mentors etc., which demands extensive planning, patience, resilience, resourcefulness, & determination. Think of yourself as a project manager with no project team to manage! You’re the budget holder, the timekeeper, the administrator, the interviewer, the coordinator, & more—essentially, I’m a one-woman band, & I’m the instruments too! While exhilarating, it can also be exhausting, so I had to remind myself to pace myself!
A visual representation of what it’s like to be a researcher completing a fellowship as a PI with no team
Cultural Adaptation
Immersing myself in a new cultural environment required a period of adjustment. While I have Jamaican heritage, being in Jamaica reminded me just how British/English I truly am which I reflect upon here. Also, although being hosted by the ACIJ/JMB helped, I still had to learn the local customs, communication styles, & how to navigate Jamaica as a whole. New friends & connections in Jamaica supported me, but it took time & patience to acclimate.
Emotional Toll
My research project is both a professional & personal journey, often uncovering uncomfortable truths, such as the realisation that the whole of Jamaica was once dotted with hundreds- maybe even thousands- of plantations owned by wealthy, (often) absentee landowners. Returning to Jamaica was a deeply emotional experience where I witnessed the resilience & beauty of its people alongside the enduring legacies of poverty & exploitation that persist today. This experience profoundly affected me emotionally. Maintaining mental resilience was crucial, & I am immensely grateful for the support of everyone who helped me navigate this journey.
Despite these challenges, year two aka the ‘Jamaica leg’ of the second year of my fellowship proved to be an immensely rewarding experience that facilitated significant personal & professional growth
Second Year Outcomes
As the second year of my Leverhulme ECR Fellowship draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the outcomes & results that have marked this period. This year was about diving deeper into the research, solidifying connections, & gathering tangible results that not only reflect the progress made but also shape the direction for the final year. The data collected from archival documents, 14 interviews, & site visits provided valuable insights. During this period, theories were both confirmed & challenged, shaping the trajectory of my research. The second year acted as a pivotal bridge between theory & practice across years one & two, & I navigated it with determination & purpose.
Achievements & Milestones
The year was punctuated with significant achievements. Key among them was the successful organisation & execution of my international research trip to Jamaica, which was a logistical feat in itself. The data collected during this trip has been invaluable, providing a robust foundation for ongoing analysis.
Research Breakthroughs
The connections made during the year led to several research breakthroughs. Collaborations with international experts resulted in innovative approaches to data analysis, yielding insights that have the potential to influence the field significantly.
Publications & Presentations
This year, my research project reached the wider academic community in Jamaica through the monthly ACIJ/JMB online seminar series titled 'Curating Culture’ which I was invited to participate in. I also completed a report as an academic member of the NT-GW4 Colonial Connections CoP for our project titled ‘Making Labour Visible- Repositioning Colonial Plantation Paintings in the care of the National Trust' focused on Penrhyn castle in north Wales. I hope doing these will open doors for future collaborations.
Impact on Personal & Professional Growth
On a personal level, this fellowship has been a journey of immense growth. Professionally, it has established my reputation as a researcher & has expanded my network within the academic community. I also got to return to one of my homes to (re)connect with my heritage & family history in Jamaica.
As I look ahead, the outcomes of the second year have set a high bar for the final year. The insights gained are not just measures of success but stepping stones to greater achievements. With a clear focus & a dedication to excellence, & with a commitment to centring the enslaved African people in Jamaica & their descendants in the main narrative of Penrhyn Castle, the journey continues.
Next steps:
Bringing years one & two of my fellowship together
With two years of intensive research across two continents behind me, the time comes to weave the threads of my findings into a cohesive tapestry. Back at my desk in Cardiff, I will now begin to analyse the data to uncover the patterns & narratives that emerge, to tell a story that is greater than the sum of its parts. This analysis will provide a comprehensive understanding of my research & thus Penrhyn castle to lay the groundwork for the final year.
Planning & Executing the Third & Final Year
As year three of this fellowship awaits, it's time to plan meticulously & to build upon the established foundation of years one & two. West Africa is calling me & this time, I’ll dive in with newfound confidence as I tell myself that “Babygirl, You’ve Got This!” I hope that next year in the final year, I will successfully add more powerful insights to bring my fellowship to a fulfilling & impactful close along with other future opportunities.
Gratitude & Thanks
As I reflect on year two of my Leverhulme Trust early fellowship, I am filled with immense gratitude. 🙏🏿🌟 The second year of my fellowship was filled with growth, learning, & (re)discovery. I was able to successfully organise & execute an international research trip, expand my network of connections, & complete invaluable fieldwork in Jamaica. The knowledge & skills I acquired have not only enriched my research but also my personal & professional development.
First & foremost, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Leverhulme Trust, my mentors & the School of Social Sciences (SOCSI) at Cardiff University for believing in my research vision.
To my family, friends, fellow researchers, local experts & participants—thank you. Your insights, encouragement, & camaraderie have been invaluable.
& to the people of Clarendon, Jamaica—the heartbeat of my fieldwork—your warmth, hospitality, & willingness to share your stories touched my soul. I am forever grateful. Rest in Eternal Peace Mr Clifford Headley 🙏🏿
As I dive into year three, I carry this gratitude with me. Together, we swim in uncharted waters towards new horizons. 🌊🌎💙
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