In the Academic Zoo, the chameleon lived at the crossroads of many habitats. She could blend into the forest’s green, the savannah’s gold, and even the caves’ shadows. Yet, because she didn’t fully belong to any one habitat, the other animals often overlooked her.
“She’s neither here nor there”, the lions said dismissively. “She’s too complicated”, the peacocks added, fluffing their feathers. The chameleon, however, saw things differently. Her unique position provided her insights into every corner of the zoo. She observed how the rivers nourished the forest, how the caves shielded the savannah from storms, and how all habitats were interconnected.
One day, a drought hit the zoo. As the animals argued over resources, the chameleon stepped forward. She used her knowledge of various habitats to propose a plan that would guarantee everyone had sufficient resources to survive. Gradually, the animals started to appreciate her worth – not in spite of her complexity, but because of it.
Moral – Doing academic careers differently enriches academia, offering nuanced perspectives that bridge gaps and create more inclusive solutions.
In which space of the academic ecosystem do you see yourself?
What are your strategies for including individuals and groups from marginalised spaces?
Christa & Anne-Wil
