Pack what you must
The more complex stuff you can learn with others on the way...
No sooner had the end-of-term bell sounded than we were packing the car, checking the passports for the hundredth time and heading for the airport. Given the nature of my job, I never really take the full academic summer off. But this year, despite reaching the end of term somewhere between tired and completely exhausted, we had already schedule to get away right at the start of the holidays.
We’re heading somewhere rather ‘magical’. Slightly less magical is packing four people for intense heat and for a place where knowing almost anything seems to come with a fairly hefty price tag. Packing in our house is quite the operation; digital lists, itineraries and enough forward planning to impress a small military unit. The grown ups strive for organisation; the two teenagers travelling with us are fiercely independent while remaining remarkably dependent on Mum knowing where absolutely everything is! When the inevitable panic starts (e.g. Have we got this? Did somebody pack that?) we usually come back to the idea that as long as we have the ‘essentials’, we can work out the rest along the way.
I think the same is sometimes true of our work to understand and tackle inequality. The issues are complex, systemic and sometimes described as ‘wicked’. All of this can feel somewhat heavy to those of that are at the frontline of understanding and tackling these issues (especially when we throw tiredness into the mix!). But every now and again, it helps to check we have packed the basics in this work I think.
Are we listening?
Are we noticing what is happening in people’s lives and the places we serve?
Are we working with communities rather than doing things to them?
Are we staying furiously curious?
Perhaps these are the ‘bare necessities’ of this work. We get these principles right and it enables us to interrogate the more complex issues along the way. That is what I have tried to intentionally craft this Substack to become; a place to signpost people, partnerships, places and principles that are helping me think differently about inequality. I remain genuinely humbled that so many of you choose to read it.
I write post this whilst in transit and I’ve curated some of the most-read and most popular pieces from the past academic year. Consider them a few essentials worth packing away for reading in the summer or as go into the boarding area of another academic year. Save them, share them and come back if they’re useful. Then, after a bit of a rest, we can unpack the more complicated stuff together again.
“You’ve got a friend in me”
Posts exploring the value of partnerships and place-based work
Lean into knowing: a post exploring the ways in which we can work with others to shift from assumption to assessment of need.
Beyond classrooms and clinics: A fantastic guest blog from Dr Guddi Singh on ensuring cross sector lenses in our work to dismantle inequalities
Cuppa with a Change Makers: A post exploring some of the trending contributors that were featured on the Cuppa with a Change Maker series this past academic year
“Do you wanna build a snowman” (or evidence base?)
Posts exploring the value of evidence and curiosity
Out of Touch: In this two part blog I explored the value of evidence and using it with intent and integrity when it comes to disrupting inequality.
Don’t kill the cat: Here I explore how we can remain curious in our work to understand inequality, without killing any cats in the process…
Being furiously curious: this is where I explain how the term ‘furiously curious’ came about and why it might be helpful in your own work
“Be our guest!”
Posts from guests that have landed brilliantly with readers
Coaching equity: Jonathan Ferstenberg on the value of coaching to develop others in understanding and tackling inequality
On improving schools: Paul K. Ainsworth on the basics of school improvement to support communities facing persistent inequalities
Lace up, left out: Jo Lowes on developing a culture of inclusion and reducing the cost of participation in sport and other activities
Look Who’s Talking: Eleanor Lake on the value of accents, belonging and curiosity in a world of inequality.
Thanks for journeying with me!
If you’d like to pitch to feature something on this Substack next academic year then I’d love to hear from you. I can’t promise that everything makes the cut, but always welcome ideas and reflections from others.
Complete this application form to offer your suggestions
