Calm productivity for academics
No longer active
This site is now an archive of my previous work. I have moved all my ongoing writing to https://michael-rowe.github.io/home-michael/
Category: Career
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How to test your assumptions (before they waste more of your time)
You’re probably not testing your assumptions—you’re confirming them. Before your next big decisi, use this method to test your assumptions: write down what you currently believe, generate alternatives that would require different approaches, then actively look for evidence that would prove you wrong. Either you’ll find it, or you’ve genuinely tested your belief.
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Annie Duke (2023) Quit
Annie Duke’s “Quit” provides essential tools for academics who face intense pressure to persist despite diminishing returns. Her research-backed frameworks offer systematic approaches to complex decisions about research directions, career transitions, and resource allocation that typically rely on intuition or cultural pressure. The book’s combination of cognitive psychology research and practical application makes it particularly…
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Cultivating gratitude in academia
Academic culture often overlooks the collaborative support behind scholarly achievements, from peer reviewers to administrative staff. The myth of the solitary scholar masks how scholarship actually works through networks of assistance. Expressing gratitude strengthens academic communities, creates positive feedback loops, and counters competitive isolation. Simple practices like maintaining acknowledgement folders and scheduling reflection time can…
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I am not my h-index: Rethinking scholarly impact metrics
Academic metrics like the h-index can drive unhealthy behaviours and distance us from our core purpose as scholars. While these traditional academic metrics provide comfortable validation, creating meaningful impact often requires looking beyond citation counts to measure how our work benefits real people outside academia.
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Quality over quantity in academia: Balancing institutional demands with sustainable practice
Discover how embracing academic productivity through quality over quantity can transform your work life. Instead of constantly expanding workloads, learn to focus on meaningful impact, sustainable practices, and deeper connections. Doing less, but doing it better, can lead to more valuable academic outcomes.
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Ernest Boyer: Scholarship reconsidered
Scholarship Reconsidered by Ernest Boyer challenges the narrow focus on research in academia, proposing a more inclusive framework that values discovery, integration, application, and teaching. This seminal work reshapes faculty roles, advocating for diverse forms of scholarly work to enhance higher education’s impact beyond traditional research.
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A guide to accountability partnerships for academics
Accountability partnerships can transform your academic career from a solitary journey into a shared path of growth and achievement. Learn how to establish effective academic accountability partnerships, from choosing the right partner to creating structured check-ins that honour both visible outputs and invisible scholarly work, helping you maintain momentum and reach your goals.
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From balance to harmony: Rethinking work-life integration
Moving beyond the traditional concept of work-life balance in academia, this post explores how viewing your academic career through the lens of harmony rather than balance can create a more sustainable and fulfilling approach to scholarly life. Learn how different aspects of academic work can complement rather than compete with personal life.
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Strategic scholarly retreats
Strategic scholarly retreats offer academics a chance to step back from daily pressures and focus on career planning. These retreats, whether a full day or a few hours, provide time for reflection on research goals, teaching methods, and professional development. Regular retreats can lead to more impactful research, effective teaching, and a fulfilling academic career.
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Beyond productivity: Why academic mental health support matters
This post explores the challenges of balancing academic success with personal well-being. Redefining productivity, embracing vulnerability, and prioritising mental health can lead to a more fulfilling academic career. Explore strategies for speaking up and seeking support in the high-pressure world of academia.
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Building momentum towards sustainable productivity
In academia, it’s common to feel perpetually busy while at the same time, not making any meaningful progress. True productivity comes from establishing a steady rhythm of shipping important work, not just completing a high volume of tasks. Building and maintaining positive momentum is key to sustained progress.