Conferences, communication, collaboration, confidence...

So, it has been a very long time since I last blogged and to be honest it is about time I got my finger out.

I have gone through transition with a new job (which I enjoy) with people I love. I've also had an academic supervisor switch-up, this changed the focus of my research on Grime. I work with people who have connections to the music industry and have a theoretical standpoint about 'black'/'urban' music or bass culture, which is also shaping the way I think about what I am trying to do (in addition to the reading and theoretical frameworks I've been toying with).

I must say I think this supervisor switch-up was for the best as I have Robert who has been with me since my research was a budding unformed idea. Deborah is my new supervisor and is really interested in my idea and believes that some of my work so far is (with a little tweaking) publishable. That is definitely something I want to do. She is good at bringing me back to the target; what it is I am trying to do and what I need to achieve. Her direct approach has given me smaller specific mini-tasks that help me focus. They are both brilliant!

Anyway I have made much progress since the supervision changeover which took place in late October 2012. The start was shaky as I lost my granddad mid October (RIP), but this month alone I have been to three conferences and I am starting to network (note to self - need to continue work on overcoming shyness; being a wallflower is not the way forward!)

As I have mentioned in older posts, my research straddle's Grime, Sociology and Theology. Random I know! It is an organic process how my interests developed and although my most recent work is not available online, some of my older works and can be found here. Some of my newer works will be added in due course.

On 03 November I was at the Canterbury Christ University's Black Messiah: Images if Jesus in Black Urban Culture conference. This was useful as my work and academic background looks at 'Race' (class & gender) and I thought how I could apply Christ and 'Black Urban' culture into my research. My work will have a Judeo-Christiological focus, but it may not be as overt as I initially thought. Especially as a sociological discipline (my department) does not allow for this much. Also listening to (and speaking with) other speakers made me realise that I needed to focus my work a lot more. My project need to be much more narrow than I initially thought.

On 15-18 November, I was in Rotterdam at the Buma Cultuur's Rotterdam Beats Conference this was an amazing experience with a focus on the significance of influence of Jamaican culture and Reggae on music. I got the opportunity to network a bit more and made great contacts. It took a little while for me to prize myself off the wall (wall flower), but I got there in the end. This conference, in addition to my own 'literature review' reading, helpped me place Grime's genealogy more concretely. I previously read that Grime was BIG in Canada, but I had NO IDEA that it is BIG in the Netherlands too! I met some NL Grime Artists that I will keep in touch with.

Today, I went to the The Ultimate Seminar hosted by the University of Westminster. Another brilliant event with big names. They event focused mainly on the business/industry side of the music industry. Although this is not directly linked to my research (it was more targeted to those who want to be practitioners/artists/producers/lawyers etc.), it is still a crucial element that I need to have a basic understanding of. It is also important because entrepreneurship is crucial to the subject of my research - Grime. Wretch32 and his manager XYZee (Zeon), gave personal accounts of their experience which helped me to put my what they said in a cultural and social context. I was truly inspired by the humility and positivity that they shared, not that I expected anything less. The drive, determination and adaptability they posses motivated me even further! I loved the concept of paying it forward. I hope my work does the same in an intellectual sense where they take the reigns for the practical. These are the representations that should be more commonplace in wider British society!

Hearing industry experts sharing knowledge and experience also helped me to contextualise their role and got me thinking how I could incorporate it into my research. I didn't get much chance to network today, but I definitely was a valuable experience. 

So it has been a very busy month and there has been a lot to be inspired by and a lot to digest. Next month should be quieter conference-wise, but there is plenty of work ahead.

@Neake81

Trials & Tribulations...

After what has been a very stressful 18 months. I am finally out the other side. My background in race and ethnic relations, specifically ethnic privilege and micro-aggressions became a practical exercise!

Anyway, I have resumed voice work and have begun refocussing on my research. One thing the last 18 months has taught me is I am determined and my passion for both my research and vocals has never faltered - even when it was impossible to engage with either because of pressing issues resulting from other people's misguided agendas...

Expect more updates, much more frequently!

Right now I am exploring a range of narratives into Hip Hop, which Grime is rooted in (amongst other genres), race, gender, religion, social, cultural, political...

#4TOIS

Issues!

It has been a very long time since I blogged here (as you can see) and unfortunately I haven't done much at all. This is due to 'issues' which have cropped up and needed to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. I am very disappointed about this, because this research is one of the most important things to me at this moment in my life. Luckily those 'issues' are being dealt with... slowly but surely. When I am able to, I intend to resume my studies ASAP.

Stressed Out!

Well, it has been some time since I last blogged and I am really beginning to feel the pressure! The work load is immense; I was expecting this but there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to keep up. I am enjoying the process, it is just the pressure of time that is stressful- especially as I am currently part time. At the moment I am making a 'road map' of how I am actually going to conduct my research and familiarising myself with the wider literature which is no mean feat.

I'm beginning to think more seriously about the upgrade document and constructing some of the chapters needed.

It is a WHOLE lot of work!

Neake81

War....wick/War...work

So things seem to be picking up. I had my uni induction on Tuesday and have met some interesting people. It is nice to be around people who find your ideas fascinating and can help develop and stretch them! I will be back at uni tomorrow for the second part of my induction, I am looking forward to it. I have also realised that my proposal is stronger than I thought and can only really build on it. I am very excited that the hard work I put in before, i.e., solidifying an idea, is paying off now...

I am already making headway at work about ways to conduct the research. As mentioned previously I am learning how to use computer software to create questionnaires on the student Intranet. I have spoken to a colleague, Dave, about my ideas and the dept. are interested in developing and exploring my idea. I may be able to pilot some research options discussed in about four weeks! Although I guess it will not count as my official research, it is practice none the less and things can only get better from there...

Things are really looking up and coming together. I only hope things continue in this fashion....

It's Official

I am happy, excited and also slightly nervous... I finally found out my university place to study my PhD has been confirmed! I have been preparing for it for a very long time and waiting for a response for almost 10 weeks but the research I have done so far has secured my place. I begin next week and I am looking forward to finding more about Grime music in a sociological and theological context! Watch this space...

New Technology

I am already beginning to make progress on the background elements of my research. I am learning about Hot Potatoes and creating podcasts etc. I am happy that I am doing this as it will definitely enhance my research. I assume most readers of this blog and those I'm researching will probably know how to do all this stuff already. You know the saying "If you can't beat 'em - join 'em!" I have already done a substantial amount of reading (even though there is more to go)- but I am happy with the progress made so far...

I think I had better get to looking for blogspots to follow...