At the Margins of Academia – on the Outside, Looking in

I have been an independent researcher for the last six years. Without any official affiliation to an academic institution either by choice or imposed due to a lack of access and/or opportunities, independent researchers work, research and publish outside of the mainstream university environment. Some work as consultants while others may have to take on a second job outside academia to support their work. While this form of work can provide flexibility suitable to most disabled and female academics, there is often no job security or protection with irregular income if any. In the case of disabled independent researchers, a second job is often not pragmatic due to energy, time and access restrictions.