Professional Development for Practitioners in Academia

Pracademia

Abstract

Pracademia may be a new word to you. However, while you may not be immediately familiar with the term, you will be aware of the academic colleagues with professional industry experience who are the pracademics. Professional Development for Practitioners in Academia. Pracademia, edited by Jill Dickinson and Teri-Lisa Griffiths, is a highly readable and relatable (more of this later) collection. Divided into three sections, the book covers pracademic identities, professional development, and teaching practice. The authors bring an international perspective, from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, to a discussion of research and reflections on the topic of pracademia. Each chapter includes an ‘At a Glance’ opening list of key points and concludes with a ‘Points for Reflection’ set of questions. This structure provides the reader with a way into using the text as a prompt for deeper thought, reflection and interrogation of practice in relation to the ideas advanced in each chapter. As a result, the book is very user-friendly and chapters can be dipped into in light of the reader’s interests; however, beyond the CPD potential offered by this book it is also highly readable, through the authors’ stories, reflections and lived experiences as pracademics.