Today's post is a Special Request post. This one is for Jenn, who asks, “how do you replace one professor with another on your committee?” This is a delicate matter, as I'm sure Jenn is aware. There are all kinds of reasons that committee members … [Read more...] about How To Fire a Professor
Humanities Graduate School: Go? Don’t Go? What’s a Would-Be Ph.D. To Do?
William Pannapacker has published, over the last several years, a number of widely influential pieces in the Chronicle of Higher Education and, this past week, in Slate, criticizing the ethics and economics of graduate programs in the humanities. His … [Read more...] about Humanities Graduate School: Go? Don’t Go? What’s a Would-Be Ph.D. To Do?
How to Tell Your Department About a Family Crisis–A Special Request Post
Today's post is requested by Shane. Shane wishes to know about the etiquette for academic workers in vulnerable positions--particularly adjuncts--to inform their departments about family crises that might impact their work. For example, if a parent … [Read more...] about How to Tell Your Department About a Family Crisis–A Special Request Post
[UPDATED 2023] What Not to Wear, Assistant Professor Edition: Fashion for the Academic Set
UPDATE OCTOBER 2023 I was sure that I updated this post in about 2019 but I can't find where I did. I know that I absolutely planned to from some years ago because this advice in no way reflects my current opinion about academia and what to wear … [Read more...] about [UPDATED 2023] What Not to Wear, Assistant Professor Edition: Fashion for the Academic Set
Using Rage to Stay Motivated, Part Two
(Tuesday Post Category--Strategizing Your Success in Academia) Last Tuesday I wrote Part 1 of "Using Rage to Stay Motivated," a Special Request post for Allen. He asked how to stay motivated while writing his thesis. Staying motivated through the … [Read more...] about Using Rage to Stay Motivated, Part Two
How to Write an Email to a Potential Ph.D. Advisor/Professor
Please note that I no longer respond to comments/questions to this post! Grad School Application Guidance Package and other help listed below the post. One of the most common points of confusion among undergraduates and new graduate … [Read more...] about How to Write an Email to a Potential Ph.D. Advisor/Professor
Here’s What Goes in Your Tenure Portfolio–A Special Request Post
(Thursday Post Category---Here's How You Get Tenure) This is a Special Request Post for Joan. She wishes to know how to create a tenure portfolio. While every tenure process differs slightly by campus, and you should confirm all expectations with … [Read more...] about Here’s What Goes in Your Tenure Portfolio–A Special Request Post
Using Rage to Stay Motivated, Part 1–A Special Request Post
This is a post originally published in July 2011. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [This post, parts one and two, is for Allen. Allen asks for advice on staying motivated as he completes his thesis. I have been thinking about … [Read more...] about Using Rage to Stay Motivated, Part 1–A Special Request Post
Getting Schooled for My Sexism
(Friday Post Category: Yes, You Can: Women in the Academy) When I was a brand new assistant professor, the chair of my department put me in charge of the department's speaker series. This was actually a good thing. Being in charge of … [Read more...] about Getting Schooled for My Sexism
It’s Your Fault. Or, Who Gets Turned Down for Tenure?
(Thursday Post Category: Here's How You Get Tenure) For this week's "Tenure" post, I was planning to write a post called "Playing the Percentages," about knowing your department's expectations for your time and effort breakdown as an assistant … [Read more...] about It’s Your Fault. Or, Who Gets Turned Down for Tenure?