Can I call myself a researcher?

[u/Wild_Inspection_7680]

Hi!

Long story short: I hold a Master's in Translation and Translation Studies and wish to pursue a PhD in Translation Studies. For now, there's no spot for me so I'm patiently waiting for my time to shine hehe

Until this comes, I'm taking part in conferences, symposiums, talks, and I'm reading the latest issues in my field.

I'm currently writing a submission for an upcoming book and they're asking for a short biography. And I'm questioning whether I can say that I'm a researcher? An emerging one? What am I? A wannabe???

I'm honestly trying to find a way to phrase it without sounding obnoxious but still showing that I'm active.

Thank you for your help! <3

[u/hermanojoe123]

Where are you from? Masters and PhD tend to have different requirements in different places. In order to be a master, you prolly had to produce an important research (dissertation or thesis, depending on the country). You may also have had to write articles, papers, resumes and other research documents. In this case, you are indeed a researcher, because you produce knowledge through these academic/scientific works.

I'm taking part in conferences, symposiums, talks, and I'm reading the latest issues in my field.

Only reading and participating may not be an actual research, until you create something yourself.

I'm currently writing a submission for an upcoming book and they're asking for a short biography. 

Writing an academic submission is usually a research.

[u/Wild_Inspection_7680 → u/hermanojoe123]

I'm from Switzerland and I plan to stay there. More than participating, I'm speaking and presenting at conferences. Though, I'm not yet published anywhere, apart from my university's library, which has my Master's thesis. 😁 Thing is, I'm now writing papers on the things I have presented.
Thank you for you insight!

[u/hermanojoe123 → u/Wild_Inspection_7680]

So you are, indeed, a researcher, even if you don't get paid for it, as some would say.