Head Space

Calm productivity for academics

Tag: organisational culture

  • Academic communication systems: Why they fail and what you can do about it

    Academic communication systems create cascading failures through unclear accountability, fragmented information, and human bottlenecks. Communication systems in other sectors solved these problems decades ago through clear governance and infrastructure. This framework shows what university-based staff can do—from individual practices to institutional advocacy—to create meaningful change.

  • Work that shouldn’t exist: What to do when your role is a workaround

    A lot of academic work seems to exist purely to compensate for broken institutional systems. When your primary function is forwarding emails, duplicating data, or routing queries, you’re not adding value—you’re revealing systemic dysfunction. Personal productivity strategies can’t fix organisational failures, and acknowledging these patterns is the essential first step.

  • 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.

  • 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.