In discussion – Nicholas Wright
We sat down with Nicholas Wright, a co-opted BISA trustee who works for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), to get to know him a little better. He talks about his career journey and advice for academics looking to move into a practitioner or policy role.
Tell us a bit about yourself and where you are from
Born and brought up in Northern Ireland in the 70s and 80s. I did my undergrad at Durham and – after a ten-year gap – MA and PhD at UEA. Along with NI I’ve lived in London, Berlin, Munich and now beautiful Norfolk (which is not as flat as people think!). We have two cats who of course dominate our household.
Why did you want to be on the BISA Executive Committee and what do you hope to achieve during your term?
A colleague here at FCDO suggested I might like to take on the role given my background in academia. I had previously been a member of BISA, and I think the work it does – and that of others like UACES – is so valuable for the academic community, whether one is an ECR or much more experienced. I liked the idea of being able to do something to support this.
How did your career journey evolve to take you to your current role at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)?
It’s been a very roundabout journey, I think. I spent 15 years in academia before joining the FCDO, and before that had spent several years living in Germany. Before that I had worked for four years in the private sector. In 2022, post-Covid, I was reassessing my career and life goals – something that I think quite a few people were doing at that time. I think I’d rather lost my passion for academia by that point – and then I saw the job advert for my current role, and it immediately spoke to me. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now without the academic work – and equally I wouldn’t have pursued that path without having moved to Germany. There was never a plan but looking back there is at least some kind of logical connection between the different things I’ve done over the years.
What does a typical day look like for you at work?
I’m a research analyst in the FCDO and I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but no two days are the same. In general, I tend to have a lot of interesting conversations with very interesting people – here at King Charles Street, or from one of our diplomatic posts, or with externals – academics and think tankers, for example. My job is to draw together all the insights they give me and turn them into something my colleagues will find valuable.
Do you have any advice for academics who might be looking to move over to a policy or practitioner role?
Research and analytical skills are much sought after – but so too is the ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively. If you can marry those two, you’ll do well. And be prepared to work with a lot of highly motivated and intelligent people. I’ve found it energising and very rewarding so if you are interested, definitely look into it further!
Is there anything else we should know about you?
I once shared a lift in a Glasgow hotel with Peter Capaldi. It was the day Jodie Whitaker was announced as his replacement as Dr Who. I didn’t ask him for a selfie and have never regretted that.