I’m not the kind of person who likes saying no, which I’ve heard is the “most important word in academia.” As I progress on this path, though, I’ve learned to be more judicious about the things I take on, because I don’t want to sacrifice quality in what I do.

That’s a tough balance, though, especially at these early career stages where I’m feeling severe pressure to publish a) brilliant stuff, and b) a lot of it… or c) die penniless, starving in the gutter.

I got two proposals recently, both from colleague-friends, asking my participation in last-minute projects. I said no to one and yes to the other.

The no was for an international grant that I’d love to participate in, but the idea of coming up with my portion for an interdisciplinary, international grant in six days was too daunting. It wasn’t a good fit. I declined, politely, and haven’t heard back since.

The other was a yes, though at first blush it seems equally daunting. Along with my friend Julio Paulos, I’m co-chair of the urban studies thematic group at the Swiss Association of Geography (ASG). Earlier in the year, at a wonderful day in Basel, we had the idea to produce a special issue of the magazine GeoAgenda dedicated wholly to urban studies across all of Switzerland.

Later, I cleared that idea with the heads of the ASG, and we planned the issue for fall/winter 2020.

But when my friend asked me if I could speed up that process and take over the first issue for 2020, I didn’t know what to say. Instead of seven or eight months, we’re suddenly talking a deadline of 6 weeks.

But this is the kind of challenge I really like. As we spoke, I could see the issue taking shape in my head. More than that, there was the space for potential – that spark – that I need in order to believe in a project. If I don’t believe in it, I don’t think I’m going to do good work!

So I said yes – gulp! – and now I have to contact geography / urban studies departments at every institution across Switzerland in order to solicit their last minute support in writing articles for the special issue. Over the holiday break, no less. But it does strike me as an exciting project. I just hope other people agree enough to contribute!

Happy holidays to one and all! I hope the coming year is filled with projects that you believe in.