Following God’s call as a precarious academic: How do you cultivate the life of the mind on a series of short-term contracts? Career pathways in academia are increasingly uneven, uncertain, and dependent on fixed-term and part-time roles, as the shape of the university sector changes in the UK and across the world. Dr Alicia Smith will share from her own experience pursuing Christian faithfulness in an academic career so far, having completed her doctorate in 2020 and worked in a range of fixed-term academic and non-academic roles since then.

Alicia Smith is a researcher in medieval literature and lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London. She also works with postgraduate students at the Oxford Pastorate and is a trustee of Thinking Faith Network.

Iron Sharpens Iron is all about sharpening up as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We are inspired by Proverbs 27:17,

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Iron Sharpens Iron is completely free and open to anyone – please book at the link below. We also invite you to donate towards our work (suggested amount: £5 per event). If you wish to donate an amount not given below, or set up a regular donation, you can donate online (opens in a new tab),

Each event starts at 8pm when our guest is interviewed or presents a short talk, after which we have time for discussion. We want everyone to ask questions. We encourage heated debate in Christian spirit! We want to learn from each other so we can bear fruit for Jesus Christ, the Lord of heaven and earth. Join at 7.50pm to chat with other participants.

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