I just saw a review on H-Net (which, for those who don't know, is an academic email discussion list/news clearinghouse) of a book by a senior scholar in my field. This person's new book is about the topic I wanted to write about when I applied to grad school! If I'd been writing my dissertation about that same topic right now, I'd be feeling pretty darn bad—not only because I'd have been totally scooped, but also because the ever-so-politely-worded review made it sound like this person didn't do a massive amount of research. I would have kept writing my dissertation, only I might have had to pitch it completely differently. And when I went in for job interviews (presuming I got interviews), I'd have to explain how my work differs completely from Professor Senior Scholar's, without making it sound like I think Professor S.S. is a moron. (Those of you who know me know that I have put my foot in it more than once.) Actually, I will have to do this anyway. You always have to describe your "intervention into the literature" but be respectful about it. But I think I will feel less defensive.Right now I feel fortunate to have been blessed with the gifts of ambivalence and indecision. I got to grad school convinced I would write about this topic, but an offhand remark by a beloved faculty member made me change my mind. Then I came up with topic B, which would have kicked a lot of ass on the job market but which I would have hated writing. If I'd chosen topic B, I would have been mired in misery, making it less likely I'd ever finish grad school. Topic C is a better fit, although there is another historian working on the same topic and a literary study was published on it a year ago. But I feel much more confident about it, mainly because I have a network of spies who have told me what this person's interpretation is, and we have completely different takes on the topic, different sources, and different writing abilities. OK, the latter is an assumption based on my reading of this person's first book. But I think this might be a counterscoop! This person probably has a network of spies too, and these spies might be reporting that a grad student is working on a similar project. I doubt this person will feel threatened by me, but in my dreams this person contacts me about doing a panel or some such collaborative activity in order to preempt me. What I am wondering is if I should present any conference papers or try to publish an article based on my dissertation research. That way I might get counter-counterscooped. Ah, academic politics.
Am I fooling myself?
3 comments:
I think you are going to have to present at conferences and publish an article or two on your dissertation regardless. You need those to pad your CV, er, I mean to be a professional scholar.
As you know, I had to chuck Dissertation Alpha when I found out someone else was already doing it. With Dissertation Beta, I have found (as recently as two weeks ago in fact) other scholars working on the same topic. But they have produced completely different bodies of work from my own, and, in one case, it's absolute crap. So I wouldn't worry at all about Senior Scholar. There's always going to be someone else working on the same topic, but it doesn't matter in the end. Usually.
Ah, the terror of that mystery person working on a project just like your own. I am regularly struck down by this, sort of like Paul falling off of his donkey, but different in a number of ways.
But the reality is, there can be more than one book on a topic. In fact, it's good for you if other people are interested in your topic. Even better if you strongly disagree with them.
I avoided conferences forever because I was so scared someone was going to steal my topic away, but now I've gone the complete opposite route and publicized my ownership of my topic everywhere (see: blog).
But I'm glad I waited till I was closer to being done to start the conference circuit.
I think depending on where you are, it's good to get your name out there. I consider myself the expert on personal ads, and no one can come along and say they're the expert because I will always get to be there first (god I hope so), as is evidenced by my blog.
Point being, if you're at a point where you've done enough research that someone who hears about your idea and thinks it's cool could never, ever catch up with you - then it's time to get your name out there. Even if you get scooped, at least everyone will know you were there first.
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