Academics should be weirdos

The presence of weirdos is a sign of a healthy ecosystem.

requiem. hackers.town

I love the idea of embracing your inner weirdo (although I’d probably say ‘geek’) as an expression of your authentic self.

Especially in a higher education context where the concept of what an ‘academic’ looks like is too narrow. We’re often expected to conform to a certain mold – the stoic, serious-minded intellectual who always has their act together.

But this pressure to conform can stifle creativity, innovation, and the unique perspectives that drive progress in our fields. It may be that those who make the biggest impacts aren’t the ones who fit neatly into the picture. Maybe they’re the oddballs and eccentrics who aren’t afraid to think differently and challenge the status quo.

Read: Use constraints to boost creativity.

They’re the ones who bring their whole, authentic selves to their work – quirks, passions, and all.

• Wear the clothes that make you feel empowered, not the ones you think will make you look the part.
• Pursue the research questions that fascinate you, even if they’re a little left-of-centre.
• Cultivate the hobbies and interests that light you up, and don’t be afraid to share them with your colleagues.

Look around you the next time you’re at work. Where are the weirdos? If you don’t see any, maybe you’re the weirdo #winning

Being weird in academia is a feature, not a bug.