Starting academia later in life | Academia et al

About this episode

Dr Brian Irvine shares his journey into academia later in life, emphasizing the value of diverse experiences and inclusivity in research.

Dr Brian Irvine describes himself as an early career researcher, but not someone who is early in life. In this episode, he shares the varied experiences that brought him to the IOE, from teaching and childminding to specialist autism mentoring and doctoral study. His story highlights the value of bringing your whole life into research, including the skills and perspectives developed outside traditional academic roles. He also reflects on parenthood, purpose and the importance of making research more inclusive. It's your reminder that there is no single correct route into academia, and that different paths can lead to thoughtful, meaningful work. Full show notes and links: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/jun/starting-academia-later-life-academia-et-al More IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcast UCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe

People in this episode

Guest: Dr Brian Irvine

Topics covered

• academia
• research
• parenthood
• inclusivity
• career paths

Keywords

• early career researcher
• autism mentoring
• doctoral study
• inclusive research
• career transition

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: UCL Institute of Education

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