Beyond the Grant: Practical Approaches to Research Funding in Uncertain Times

money and leaf

Author: NCFDD As we continue exploring the complexities of navigating uncertainty in academia, our second webinar in the Navigating Uncertainty series focused on one of the most pressing concerns for faculty: research funding. In this session, we examined how faculty can adapt to shifting funding landscapes, identify new opportunities, and leverage both institutional support and external resources … Read more

Why Faculty Mentoring Still Isn’t Working (And What We Can Do About It)

mentoring

Author: NCFDD If you ask most faculty whether mentoring matters, the answer is almost always yes. But if you ask whether their mentoring experiences are actually helping them thrive? That’s where the conversation shifts. Many faculty enter academia expecting mentorship to be a meaningful part of their growth. They’re told they’ll get guidance on research, … Read more

Navigating Uncertainty in Higher Education: Strategies for Faculty

what now

Author: NCFDD Uncertainty is a defining feature of academia today. From shifting funding landscapes and evolving institutional priorities to broader political and social changes, faculty are continuously navigating unpredictable terrain. During our recent webinar, Navigating Change and Uncertainty in Higher Education: Approaches for Faculty, we explored strategies to manage these challenges, break the cycle of overwhelm, … Read more

Mentoring Up: Pro-actively Engaging With Your Mentors Begins With Assessing Yourself

Author: Steve Lee, PhD In an upcoming workshop, I’ll be offering some strategies to help faculty find and manage relationships with mentors. My approach has been to encourage faculty to “mentor up”, i.e. to learn how to pro-actively engage with their mentors, which is based on Gabarro’s and Kotter’s original concept of “managing up”. When Gabarro … Read more

Stepping Up: When, Why, and How to Move Into Academic Leadership Roles

step up

Author: Tasha Souza, PhD I run a monthly seminar for new faculty and, during one meeting, I had a smaller group of only women. We had time for general questions and they wanted to know more about the best ways to set themselves up well for retirement. I thought this a strange request, given they … Read more

AI in Academia: Teaching Challenges and Opportunities

artificial intelligence

Author: Julia Staffel, PhD At the end of November in 2022, OpenAI launched ChatGPT, a text-generating AI with never-before-seen capabilities of producing almost any type of text with the click of a button. Students immediately realized the potential of using it for their assignments, easily generating essays and code, while avoiding being caught by existing … Read more

The Art of Self-Care: A Pathway to Productivity and Peace in Academia

self care bath

Author: NCFDD The challenges that face academics in today’s fast-paced environment can often be overwhelming, leading to a state of chronic stress. Stress, especially when prolonged, can have detrimental effects on both physical health and overall well-being, and it can seriously hinder productivity in both personal and professional life. In these demanding times, it is … Read more

Pivoting to Public Writing

published writing

Author: Anthony Ocampo, PhD Whether in the sciences or humanities, academics are so specialized in their niche that they often forget how to convey their knowledge to a general public. In fact, in academia, your success is predicated on your ability to be in conversation with other experts, not everyday people.  When we’re doing our PhDs, we … Read more

Supporting Academic Parents: Recommended Policies and Practices

support academic parenthood

Author: Dr. Cleopatra Abdou Kamperveen In the realm of academia, the intersection of parenthood and professional ambitions presents a complex challenge. This article offers a comprehensive guide not only to academic parents navigating this delicate equilibrium but also to academic leaders shaping policies that foster an environment of support and success for academic parents. Striking … Read more