This Academic Life

After two years since the launch of This Academic Life podcast, we reflect on how we did, how we are going forward, and answer some common questions that many listeners have asked over time. We thank all of our listeners, everyone who has contributed, our guests, and our editing team. Special thanks to Jared Duffy and Angella Chen who are our editors, RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal who composed the music for our show, Pania Newell who is the creator of the fantastic artwork for each episode. 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: Editing team: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.com Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”. Cast list: Editing team: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.com Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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: Editing team: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.com Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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 “This Academic Life”. Cast list: Editing team: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.com Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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 group “This Academic Life”. Cast list: Editing team: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.com Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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-xhttps://slate.com/human-interest/2015/02/university-hiring-if-you-didn-t-get-your-ph-d-at-an-elite-university-good-luck-finding-an-academic-job.html 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: Editing team: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.com Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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-conferenceshttps://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 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: Editing team: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.com Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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 us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”. Cast list: Editing team: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.com Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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/s00216-017-0817-5https://tomprof.stanford.edu/posting/976https://whatisthemeaningofmylife.com/tag/academic-life/https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7715&context=dissertations 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 webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on facebook group “This Academic Life”. Cast list: Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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 are in today. Reference list: Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal (schallert.wygal@gmail.com) References: https://www.journal-publishing.com/blog/good-h-index-required-academic-position/https://phys.org/news/2020-07-albert-einstein-mediocre-h-index-bogus.htmlhttp://www.webometrics.info/en/hlargerthan100https://www.aacc.org/cln/articles/2019/september/scientific-impact-and-the-h-indexhttps://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/102/46/16569.full.pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-index#Comparing_results_across_fields_and_career_levelshttps://www.slideshare.net/AnneWilHarzing/citation-metrics-across-disciplines-google-scholar-scopus-and-the-web-of-science 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 webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on facebook group “This Academic Life”. Cast list: Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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-richThe Annual Report on the Economic Status of the Profession, 2018-19https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2014/07/02/327289264/episode-550-when-salaries-arent-secret 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 webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on facebook group “This Academic Life”. Cast list: Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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 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”. https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2016/09/academic-conferences 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 Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah. Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Editing team: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.com Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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 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 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: Editing team: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.com Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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 (2014) | GRANTS.GOV 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 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: Editing team: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.com Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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/ https://thevarsity.ca/2021/03/14/opinion-combatting-toxic-academic-culture-work-to-learn-not-work-to-work/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8282063/ 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 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 Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah. Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Editing team: Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal (schallert.wygal@gmail.com) Edited by Angella Chen Edited by Jared Duffy Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com) Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

In this episode, we discuss the war in Ukraine and its impact on the scientific community and academia as a whole. Reference list: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.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 Resources and References: The view from Kyiv: Head of Ukraine's research agency calls for international help | Science|Businesshttps://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00505-9https://physicsworld.com/a/horror-and-hope-for-ukrainian-scientists/https://monitor.icef.com/2022/03/international-educations-continuing-response-to-the-war-in-ukraine/https://www.dfg.de/en/service/press/press_releases/2022/press_release_no_01/index.htmlhttps://www.reuters.com/world/africa/african-students-wonder-what-next-after-ukraine-war-upends-education-2022-03-24/https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/mapping-host-countries-education-responses-influx-ukrainian-studentshttps://www.science.org/content/article/ukrainian-researchers-flee-trauma-and-terror-warhttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/global-science-community-condemns-russian-invasion-of-ukraine/ 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: Editing team: Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.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 Resources and References: https://www.guilderlandschools.org/equity-diverrsity-and-inclusion-at-guilderland/https://asm.org/Articles/2021/May/Addressing-Diversity,-Equity-and-Inclusion-in-Acadhttps://peopleadmin.com/2016/09/dei-why-it-matters-and-whats-standing-in-the-way/https://academicpersonnel.ucmerced.edu/Evidenced-Based_DEI_Best_Practiceshttps://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/words-to-actionhttps://www.heritage.org/education/report/diversity-university-dei-bloat-the-academyhttps://www.academicdiversitysearch.com/what-is-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-academia/ 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: Editing team: Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.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 Resources and References: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/recommendation-letters-for-a-promotion-2061686https://csw.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/avoiding_gender_bias_in_letter_of_reference_writing.pdf 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: Editing team: Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

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 programs and design proposals with an appropriate combination of risks and likely successes. Guest info: Dr. Anastasia G. Ilgen is an experimental geochemist, specializing in chemical reactions at solid-water interfaces. She leads several research programs at Sandia, and is active in the American Chemical Society Governance. She grew up next to the active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula, in Russia. She enjoys hiking with her family, traveling, cooking and baking, and taking care of her numerous pets. https://www.labpartnering.org/experts/d93065b9-0e86-452f-a296-3d1024837e6dhttps://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/chemical-sciences/profiles/anastasia-ilgen.html Reference list: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.com 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: Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life

The fall season is time to look for faculty positions and universities are also getting ready to find the most suitable candidate(s) for their openings. This episode talks about some aspects of this search. Reference list: schallert.wygal@gmail.comcanva.comhttps://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2016/06/10/how-write-effective-diversity-statement-essay 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: Support This Academic Life by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life