The hosts of "This Academic Life" reflect on the podcast's two-year journey, discussing how they find time to record, select episode topics, and manage the recording process. They share positive listener feedback and discuss how the podcast has impacted them personally, emphasizing the importance of open expression and strong friendship.
In this episode, we talk about some of the benefits of professional memberships and some fun facts about them. Reference list: https://www.infotrack.com/blog/10-benefits-of-joining-a-professional-association/ https://www.impactio.com/blog/the-benefits-of-society-membership-as-a-career-academic Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at info@thisacademiclife.org . You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.o...
Every academic has to do service at some point in their early career. We explain the inner workings of picking services that are both enjoyable and beneficial for you career as well as our experiences with service. Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at info@thisacademiclife.org . You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”. Cast list: Prof. Kim Michelle Lew...
Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at info@thisacademiclife.org . You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”. Cast list: Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University. Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assista...
In this episode, we discuss different nationally competitive student fellowships and provide some advice on how to prepare a strong packet. Reference list: https://grad.ncsu.edu/student-funding/fellowships-and-grants/national/nationally-competitive-graduate-fellowships/ Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at info@thisacademiclife.org . You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group...
In this episode, we discuss some fun facts about the Nobel Prize from its origin to the most common recipient types. Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at info@thisacademiclife.org . You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”. Cast list: Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural...
In this episode, we are honored to host Ms. Morghan Carr, a coast guard veteran, to discuss her journey into a STEM career and learn more about how we can help other veterans who are interested in joining the STEM workforce. It’s important to note that Morghan volunteers for ArmySmart which provides free online tutoring to service members and veterans to help them achieve their further education goals. Reference list: https://womenvetsstem.edc.org https://www.armysmart.org Contact list: If you h...
In this episode, we discuss your options for your future in academia. Do you continue the route of being a professor and attain full tenure or do you pivot to an administrative role? Both have their positives and negatives, we discuss and layout our thoughts on the issue. Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at info@thisacademiclife.org . You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook gro...
In this episode, we discuss whether prestige matters in academia and how it shapes academic hierarchy. This topic is based on a paper published recently in Nature entitled “Quantifying hierarchy and dynamics in US faculty hiring and retention” authored by Daniel Larremorem et al, which presented an analysis based on a large dataset from US faculty census collected in the past 10 years. Reference list: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05222-x https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/02/uni...
In this episode, we talk about how faculty choose research topics and how one can come up with novel ideas for research. We also share a few tips for junior faculty as they step into their independent research career. Reference list: https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2016/09/academic-conferences https://www.watermarkinsights.com/resources/blog/top-five-ways-your-college-can-support-veterans Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please c...
Returning from the break we dive into how to prepare for the new school year including tips on how to balance your workload and block out time for yourself. Reference list: https://www.sssp-research.org/how-do-you-prepare-for-the-new-academic-year/ https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/10/09/prep-squad-how-faculty-gets-ready-new-school-year Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at info@thisacademiclife.org . You can also find u...
The early years of a faculty position can be an exciting and challenging experience. In this episode, we will provide 5 unspoken tips for early-career faculty. These tips are gathered from our own experiences, which can benefit those who are going through the early years of their academic life. Reference list: Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ( schallert.wygal@gmail.com ) References: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00216-017-0817-5 https://tomprof.stanford.edu/posting/976 https://what...
The h-index, or Hirsch index, measures the research impact and productivity of a particular scientist. Since its inception in 2005, it has become a standard way to somewhat objectively quantify an individual’s research impact. In this episode, you will learn what it is, what is expected of this H-index from researchers at different stages of their research careers, and ethical practices in increasing your H-index. We also raise concerns in the un-intended use of H-index for the academic world we...
In this episode, we discuss the taboo topic of a professor’s salary and the importance of academic salary transparency. We also discuss how administrators can work with junior faculty and help them ease the salary negotiation process. Reference list: https://www.ccdaily.com/2021/04/a-look-at-faculty-presidents-salaries/ https://www.lifeofaprofessor.com/post/are-professors-rich The Annual Report on the Economic Status of the Profession, 2018-19 https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2014/07/02/327289...
In this episode, we talk about academic conferences. Why you should go, what you need to do to prepare, and what are the do’s and dont’s when you get there. Reference list: Sponsor: De Gruyter : This episode is sponsored by De Gruyter and its portfolio in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. For “Students and Researchers in Mathematics” De Gruyter’s 2022 catalog is now available on This Academic Life website. Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions ...
In this episode, we discuss with Dr. Aleeta M. Powe, an associate professor of instruction in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Louisville, on the challenges and needs that lecturers face in academia. Reference list: Sponsor: De Gruyter : This episode is sponsored by De Gruyter and its portfolio in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. For “Students and Researchers in Mathematics” De Gruyter’s 2022 catalog is now available on This Academic Life website. Contact list: I...
Episode Notes In this episode, we talk about instructors’ stresses when turning in those final grades. As we wind down the semester, it is time to see if all of your lecture preparation, classroom demonstrations, careful selection of homework questions, creation of in-class quizzes, and your best science jokes have paid off - it is time to “Turn in Those Grades.” Reference list: Sponsor: De Gruyter : This episode is sponsored by De Gruyter and its portfolio in Science, Technology, Engineering an...
In this episode, Lise Tantin talks about the broad view of STEM from a middle schooler’s point of view. She shares her thought on how the STEM programs are evolving and what the new topics attract youth these days. Guest bio: List Tantin is a student at West High School's magnet ELP program in Salt Lake City-Utah. She will be graduating from eighth grade this year. She is interested in neuroscience. https://www.txstate.edu/chemistry/About-the-Department/Faculty-Profiles/schilter.html Reference l...
Non-traditional path to a tenure-track positionIn this episode, Prof. Schilter talks about his unusual path to a tenure-track position and how his position as a senior editor of Nature Reviews Chemistry is helping his career today as a researcher and educator. Guest bio: David Schilter attended The University of Sydney, where he received a BS with First Class Honours and the University Medal (2001−2004). He continued at Sydney to pursue graduate work in bio-inorganic and supramolecular chemistry...
In this episode we discuss how social media sites and academics go hand in hand. Whether it's promoting your work, making connections, or helping get your students names out there every platform has its benefits and drawbacks. Reference list: Wired Academia: Why Social Science Scholars Are Using Social Media LINK Social Media in Academia LINK Social media for professional development and networking opportunities in academia LINK Academia goes social media, MOOC, SPOC, SMOC and SSOC LINK The soci...
In this episode, we discuss some frequently asked questions regarding grants management once the funding has arrived at the awarded institution, including: course buyout, summer salary, overspending, and indirect cost recovery (or overhead returns). Reference list: OMB Uniform Guidance for Grants and Contract Agreements OMB Uniform Guidance (2014) | GRANTS.GOV Sponsor: De Gruyter : This episode is sponsored by De Gruyter and its portfolio in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. For ...
In this episode, we discuss the culture of overwork and how we can strategize to overcome it. Good reads are listed in the Reference list in this show notes. Reference list: https://voicesofacademia.com/2020/09/04/confronting-the-culture-of-overwork-less-is-more-by-brittany-uhlorn/ https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2019/12/11/what-interests-do-busyness-and-overwork-academe-serve-opinion https://archeothoughts.wordpress.com/2018/09/21/the-cult-of-overwork-in-academia-a-confessional-post/ http...
In this episode, we discuss the war in Ukraine and its impact on the scientific community and academia as a whole. Reference list: Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ( schallert.wygal@gmail.com ) Artwork is created using Canva ( canva.com ) Sponsor: De Gruyter : This episode is sponsored by De Gruyter and its portfolio in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. For “Students and Researchers in Mathematics” De Gruyter’s 2022 catalog is now available on This Academic Life website. Useful R...
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) has become an ubiquitous part of academics. In this episode, we talk with an DEI expert, Mr. Matt Pinchinat, who is the director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Guilderland Central School District in the capital region of NY. He’s also an adjunct faculty at Clarkson University. He answers some emergent questions on why DEI is necessary in academics and what we expect to achieve through DEI activities and initiatives. Reference list: Music by Ruth...
Recommendation letters are an important part of students’ applications for different fellowships, scholarships, as well as grad school. In this episode, we will talk about who to ask for these letters and what is the typical format of these letters. Reference list: Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ( schallert.wygal@gmail.com ) Artwork is created using Canva ( canva.com ) Sponsor: De Gruyter : This episode is sponsored by De Gruyter and its portfolio in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathem...
In our anniversary episode, we discuss faculty on “Side Track”: moving before tenure with Dr. Andre Clayborne who is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and BioChemistry at George Mason University. Dr. Clayborne has successfully navigated the transition between universities while on the tenure track. He candidly shares with us his experiences, concerns, and challenges on his “train” to tenure. Reference list: Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ( schallert.wygal@gmail.com ) Artwor...
Recommendation letters are an important component of a postdoc/faculty application as well as a faculty promotion packet. These letters have unique requirements and are not the same as typical letters of recommendation. In this episode, we talk about who you should ask for these letters and how to write these letters. Reference list: Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ( schallert.wygal@gmail.com ) Artwork is created using Canva ( canva.com ) Sponsor: De Gruyter : This episode is sponsored by De Gr...
Teaching evaluations can have many purposes including assessment of an instructor’s teaching effectiveness. It can also impact one’s academic career such as reappointment or promotion and tenure. In this episode, we talk about the history of teaching evaluations, how and when they are effective, and how we can possibly improve students’ participation and its effectiveness in the future. Reference list: Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ( schallert.wygal@gmail.com ) Artwork is created using Canva ...
Sabbatical for academic professors is a sacred opportunity to rejuvenate research ideas and initiate research collaborations. In this episode, we talk about the history and various forms of sabbatical. We also share how we planned and made our own sabbaticals as meaningful enrichment experiences. Reference list: Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ( schallert.wygal@gmail.com ) Artwork is created using Canva ( canva.com ) Useful Resources and References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabbatical http...
The grant culture in research institutes (i.e. academia, industry, and national labs) has been evolved over the past decades and led to an environment where chasing fundings has had a significant impact on shaping the new culture. In this episode, Dr. Anastasia Ilgen, a Principal Member of Technical Staff at the Geochemistry Department, Sandia National Laboratories, shares her experience and insights on writing proposals and securing research funding. She discusses how to build cohesive research...
