Head Space

Calm productivity for academics

Tag: collaboration

  • 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…

  • Steven Johnson (2011) Where good ideas come from

    Steven Johnson’s “Where Good Ideas Come From” reframes creativity as a social and environmental process rather than individual inspiration. The book identifies seven innovation patterns emphasising interdisciplinary collaboration, incremental progress, and learning from errors. For academics, it offers practical strategies for cultivating creative environments through “liquid” networks, serendipitous encounters, and embracing adjacent possibilities.

  • Use constraints to boost creativity

    Limited time, resources, and information can sometimes represent opportunities to use constraints to boost creativity

  • Fried & Hansson: It doesn’t have to be crazy at work

    It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson champions a “calm company” approach, where productivity doesn’t equate to relentless busyness. By minimising distractions, protecting time, and setting realistic expectations, the authors propose a sustainable work culture that prioritises well-being alongside impactful results.

  • Creative thinking with Obsidian

    For academics, the early stages of a writing project should be a time of exploration and discovery. Yet the tools we use often constrain our thinking in subtle but powerful ways. Most of us default to writing in linear documents like Google Docs or Word. While these tools excel at many things – including collaborating…

  • Adam Grant: Give and take

    Give and Take by Adam Grant explores how giving, taking, and matching reciprocity styles impact personal and professional success. Through research and real-life examples, Grant shows that selfless, strategic giving fosters collaboration, builds trust, and creates long-term advantages—especially valuable in academic and professional environments that thrive on partnership and mentorship.