Head Space

Calm productivity for academics

Tag: culture

  • [Note] Build a life around mastery and mattering

    “…we live in a world full of options for mastery and mattering. Unfortunately, the cultural current is flowing strongly in the opposite direction. Few people—perhaps nobody, unless you live in a monastery—are immune to the vicissitudes of modern life. But most of us have at least some agency to fight back with our actions. The…

  • [Note] Why do we all work such long hours?

    “So with the sector facing yet another financial crisis, do we all just get on the grindset straight away? Put your snowflake-y demands for a work-life balance on the back burner. Take one for the team. Pull that working weekend, that all-nighter. Let’s face it, you’re not even going to do anything as a result…

  • Fostering a culture of guilt-free time off

    Feeling guilty about taking time off work is common in academia. This guilt often stems from organisational culture where everyone is expected to work during leave. To break free from this guilt trap, we need a strong culture that values time off, starting with leadership and permeating the entire organisation.

  • Academic burnout prevention: The power of doing nothing

    From conference deadlines to funding applications, academia’s relentless pace makes it hard to disconnect. Learn how to prevent academic burnout by embracing genuine downtime, implementing digital boundaries, and recognising that rest isn’t a reward for productivity – it’s a fundamental human need.

  • Tony Fadell: Build

    Build, by Tony Fadell, combines career insights and product innovation advice from the creator of the iPod and Nest thermostat. His book provides a blueprint for high-impact career choices, iterative development, and leadership, making it valuable for anyone interested in innovative design or who is looking for a radical perspective on academic career development.

  • Jason Fried and David Hansson: Rework

    Rework by Jason Fried and David Hansson challenges conventional approaches to work and management, advocating for a minimalist, practical mindset. By focusing on essential tasks, rejecting unnecessary meetings, and embracing constraints, the book empowers readers to maximise productivity and create a sustainable, impact-driven work culture.

  • Academic freedom requires cognitive freedom

    Academic freedom creates a protected space for you to think about – and talk about – challenging and controversial ideas. But there’s no point in having academic freedom if you spend your life in your inbox.

  • Challenging the culture of busyness in academia

    By recognising that busyness doesn’t equal productivity, we can foster a culture that values focus, intention, and sustainable work habits.

  • 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.