What I wish I’d known about academia

Advice from scholars to their younger selves about career, teaching and research

Illustration of young woman and older woman side by side

Building a career as an academic doesn’t come with a clear road map, so what if academics could begin again knowing what they know now about sustaining motivation, teaching those first classes or thriving in a competitive research culture? This collection also gathers insight from the voices of experience on work-life balance, how to know if academia is right for you, being a good supervisor, and negotiating money and promotion.

How to find passion in your work – and sustain it

A simple strategy to sustain passion and enthusiasm for your work by keeping big dreams in view while celebrating each small step

Eleanor Cook

The University of Exeter

Starting out in your research career

Sunset in a car rearview mirror

Lessons from the classroom

young woman in pith helmet exploring the jungle

Money, promotion and defining success

wooden balls balancing on slats

How to set work-life boundaries

smiling young male employee in meeting

Taking care of others – and yourself

Young black woman and older Indian man teacher