As I approach six months working at Rocket Science, I’ve found myself reflecting on what I have learnt during this time. When I started, I’d never heard of a “Theory of Change” or an “ITT”. Now I’m hopping between reports, proposals, fieldwork, and workshops. Most starkly, my understanding of what research is, what it can do, and who it is for, has changed massively.
I studied Geography at university, which led me to explore big questions around why inequalities exist, ways systems shape people’s lives, and how we might start building a better world. Yet, as I explored these ideas, I often felt a gap between the theory I was learning and action. I kept coming back to the same question: “what can we actually do about this?”
After finishing my master’s, I knew that I wanted a career that didn’t just explore those questions but actually helped to solve them. Six months into working at Rocket Science, I’m beginning to see what that looks like in practice. Here are a few things I’ve learnt and enjoyed over the past 6 months!
Research is more impactful than I ever thought
At university, my research was mostly independent, read and marked by a couple of professors and then stored away on my hard drive. At Rocket Science, the research I’m doing moves between lots of different people and institutions – it goes to residents, workers, funders, and policymakers. It has real power to shape important decisions and to highlight what works and what doesn’t for the people actually using services.
Collaborative research is critical
One of the biggest shifts from university research is how collaborative everything is. Involving people in research isn’t just a methodological choice, it is embedded throughout all the work I have been doing. This could be asking the client what kind of report would suit them best or asking people with lived experience how best to develop interview questions. I’ve really been enjoying doing research WITH people, not just ON them, and producing insights that are accessible, relevant, and actually useful.
Getting out and about – especially in Essex!
A real highlight for me over the past 6 months has been getting out and about on fieldwork – particularly in Essex. Equipped with a red notebook and pen, I have visited an array of community spaces and spoken to many people about their experiences using buses for a project with Essex County Council. Listening to someone’s story and then getting to share their perspectives directly with the council has shown me the different scales that social research operates on. I find it really exciting and motivating.
Balancing multiple projects is a new skill
At university, I was used to spending months on a single research project. At Rocket Science, I might switch between three in an afternoon. Moving from youth employment to violence reduction to transport has pushed me to develop new ways to manage and plan my time. It’s not always easy, but it means that every day is different (and my geography brain loves spotting the intersections between projects).
A new team!
Behind all of the things I’ve learned is a supportive and curious team who have made the transition from university to work so great. From day one, I’ve felt comfortable asking questions, sharing my interests, and have learnt from their experiences across so many different types of projects. Our conversations can range from the benefits of flexible funding to the quirks of fieldwork, even to crystals!
I’m excited to see what the next six months bring!
