Beginnings
The return to work after maternity leave and this Substack
Does ‘career journaling’ exist as a method for thinking through what you’re doing within your job? If not I’m coining it here. Officially marking my 5th week back into work post-maternity leave number two, and my first posting here on Substack. I’m still not sure that this will be my preferred use of this space but I’m keen to share some of my learning, experience, time and find a space to process the work I do.
To briefly introduce my job- I’m an Arts Programmer for Arts SU, the students’ union for University of the Arts London (UAL). I have spent over 6 years at Arts SU trying to work out what makes art students’ tick, what’s important to them and how we can help them to solidify their career, through a range of opportunities. This job has seen me programme Xhibit UAL’s longest running exhibition open call working with Grayson Perry, mentoring students to both exhibit their work and curate the show, to programming ‘Lates’ at grand London establishments The British Museum and The Royal Academy; collaborating with iconic Japanese fashion house Kansai Yamamoto, organising over 40 student-led exhibitions across UAL colleges; Central Saint Martins Chelsea, London College of Communication and London College of Fashion. If hungry for more - a lot of this is formally presented over on my websites projects page: https://sophierisner.com/Projects
But for now let’s not look too far back and let’s think about those last 5 weeks, my arrival back at Arts SU- the dawn of a new era juggling not just one child but two and how I can utilise this space to actively promote and reflect on my work.
Starting back at any University job in September is going to be dominated by what’s formally called Freshers or Welcome in the sector. A programme organised across the Union and the University of activities which any year can attend to help you settle back into your studies, colleges and networks; taking over from where Bea my brilliant maternity left off I supported Creative Technologist Jade Pughe who facilitated a fantastic workshop on LED badge making; a simple, effective and therapeutic approach netting / or sewing together tech and textiles- bringing a group of students around a table to stitch a tiny lily pad LED circuit onto a felt badge of their own design.
Pughe crafting this excellent step by step handout explaining in aesthetically intriguing detail the pieces and the process.
Something so simple creating a moment of pause, reflection and satisfaction in the students as they slotted in the battery and seeing the lights blink. A collective shared experience in which people sitting on a task automatically bond through technical and life reflection. For me a lovely way to spend time in amongst students and ground my work as one which is person-centred and people-focused.
You can find more of my images from the workshop here as part of our SU Connect Flickr album reflecting the whole programme of events for returning and new students.
The workshop- unassuming and fairly programmatically uncomplex reminded me that not all approaches have to have a long form build up and nuanced energy, they can be pop-up with twine and needles to bring people together around a shared creative goal. Huddled whilst the rain whipped the marquee erected to house our programme, coats, some with hats and all with an interest in this combined approach nexing two unknowns art, tech and textiles that sit so seemingly adjacent but through the innovative accessibility of Pughe’s workshop design spoke welcomingly to one another like friends returning from their Summer break.
