Kieron Barclay becomes professor of Sociology

Congratulations! What were you thinking when you received the news?

"Well, it was happiness mixed with anticlimax. The process of being promoted took the better part of a year in my case, and as the case advances step by step, the final outcome becomes increasingly clear. That said, it was still a relief in the end, and I was glad to pop open some champagne! I also felt very grateful to all of my colleagues and mentors who have supported me since I first entered grad school back in 2009 – and also gratitude towards this department for having given me so many opportunities over the years to explore ideas and grow as a researcher and teacher myself."

What are you looking most forward to professionally at the moment?

"I'm lucky to be involved in some research projects that I find very interesting and exciting at the moment, so I'm really looking forward to continuing the work on those projects!"

What do you like the most about your job?

"The combination of research, teaching, and academic community – and the freedom. I have some wonderful colleagues, and I love coming to work every day. Even on the more challenging days, I can't think of anything else I would rather be doing. I really value having the liberty to pursue interesting and complex questions over time – and to choose what those questions are. If you feel things are getting stagnant, you can, and should, always find something new that sparks your curiosity."

Read more about Kieron Barclay's research