Reflecting on 2021

by Shinichi (he/his)

I used to do the end-of-the-year blog but last few years I have not done it, which is a shame. It is always good to have time to reflect on the past year. So here I am.
 
I-DEEL did remarkably well despite the pandemic limiting our interactions and slowing down empirical work we planned to do. Twelve of our members (including former members) published their first-author papers in 2021. I congratulate them as it takes a lot of work and patience to publish. This is especially so as I demand high quality and open practice, and transparency, all of which take time to do. Also, for 3 of these members (Dom, Hamza & Patrice), this was their very first lead-authored paper, so I am very happy for them. The first paper is something very special which I can give to my students as a supervisor.

And we were lucky to have the end of year BBQ party to celebrate our success. And we congratulated Hamza submitting his PhD thesis and getting a job as a research manager at a non-profit. I am relieved as last 3 PhD fledglings have managed to secure a job – and I am very proud.
 
Certainly, 2021 has been another difficult year, but I believe that it is up to us to see whether this as an opportunity or not. An opportunity to time to start something new or which we always wanted to do. Or just keep doing what we are supposed to do, which is remarkably difficult.

​I am looking forward to 2022 – hopefully some overseas trips to catch up with friends and family and new challenges from which I can grow with I-DEEL members and my collaborators around the world. A Happy New Year to you all!