We Don't Know Jack

Today pup commenced brainstorming a new professional project that he’s been cooking up for the last few weeks.

Pup wants to establish and manage a blog about issues relevant to industries that use social science data. eg. economics, sociology, anthropology, marketing and consumer psychology. Aimed at people presently studying social sciences or new to the field, the blog will hopefully feature a mixture of articles, recorded interviews, videos and infographics.

Principle issues of focus will probably be:

• Industry trends.
• Present debates within the industry (or between disciplines approaching similar issues in different methods)
• Fundamental concepts in social science practice explained.
• Research methodologies explained and evaluated for their strengths and weaknesses.
• Video overviews/tutorials of industry relevant software (SPSS, Nvivo, Q, google analytics etc).
• Career advice: finding work in the field and profiles of different roles within the field.
• Tips in improving efficiency, validity and rigour in data collection and analysis.
• Case studies of prior research/ examples of exemplary and sloppy research and its impact to clients and the public.
• Ethics (particularly issues of consent and privacy in online data collection).

A lot of writing in social sciences can be quite dense and offputting. While it won’t be for complete novices - the tone of the friendly, welcoming and with a healthy dose of humour - ideally as entertaining while being informative.

Rather than hiding that pup is a six foot tall, powerlifting, pierced and bearded knitting enthusiast, pup thinks he can take ownership of these and use them as selling points by creating a personal brand that establishes pup as slightly quirky, curious, informative, professionally minded person but at the same time a little cheeky and irreverent. 

Pup is interested in this project for a number of reasons. First of all - if pup pulls it off it’ll look great on a resume and demonstrates immersion and knowledge in the industry, it’s an ‘in’ to network with experts and employers within the industry, and its a way learning of industry skills while teaching it to other people. If pup wangles it well, he might be able to attend expensive professional development seminars and conferences and claim it back on his taxes.

It’s also practical experience in website design, multi-media content creation, brand management and editorial discipline.  

These are all skills that will likely serve pup well in giving him a voice in the industry and making him an asset to future employers.

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In other news pup volunteered to coordinate a theatrical act for Southern Hibearnation in June as part of their “Bearlesque” night. Pup has in mind a three part improv-act lampooning the Bear competitions held across the world. A cross between “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Who’s Line is it Anyway”, four competitors will have to rely on their wits, charm and a little luck to take out the ultimate prize.

Round one will be the “Interview” round, where each contestant creates a persona and a back story - they must include lines written down by the audience before the show.

Round two is the “Realness” round, where each contestant is given a theme and then has to strip down to their underwear. They have 15 minutes to create an outfit realising that theme using household materials provided and whatever they have available to them. When their time is up they have to vogue on stage realising that theme as best they can.

The last round is the “Fantasy” round - where suggestions are taken from the audience including: an activity/object, a setting and a style of music/movie genre. The competitors need to create a  1 minute long fetish scene including all the suggestions.

The winner is the most entertaining entrant, who will have to deliver an thank-you acceptance speech - also including lines written by the audience.

It should a a riot if it goes down well. Exciting times :D

In loving service. Always.

pup