How to progress in your academic career

By Eliza.Compton, 12 January, 2023
Advice for academics at every step of your career
How to progress in your academic career
Advice for academics at every step of your career
Illustration of woman walking atop columns, career progression

With its well-documented precarity and fierce competition, an academic career is beset with challenges throughout the ascent to rewards and opportunities. This collection of resources offers advice from faculty around the world for all steps of the journey and at all levels – from finding the right PhD supervisor to taking on leadership roles. Read how to craft an academic CV, tackle impostor syndrome, get funding, work in different countries, win that promotion, become a dean, thrive as a freelance researcher, use networks (online and in-person) and develop the soft skills that get you noticed.

How to write an effective academic CV
Resources
By Miranda Prynne, 21 December, 2022
What key information to include on your academic CV and how to present it, alongside some common mistakes to avoid, by Eleanor Hennige
Reading time
3minutes
By dene.mullen, 10 January, 2023
Özge Özden lays out the pros and cons you need to consider when choosing a PhD supervisor, as well as five key qualities to look out for
Reading time
4minutes
Getting tenure and promotion
Resources
By Eliza.Compton, 12 July, 2022
For many scholars, permanent employment is the light at the end of a years-long tunnel. Here, Henry Reichman explains the US tenure system and why it is key to protecting academic freedom
Reading time
4minutes
By dene.mullen, 9 March, 2022
Paul Baines talks through the pros and cons of being a dean, plus the skills you’ll need to display during the recruitment process to get there
Reading time
4minutes
Networking for academics
Resources
Working internationally
Resources
Skills that get you noticed
Resources
By Miranda Prynne, 27 June, 2022
To write a successful grant proposal, academics need to focus on the relevant details that will help sell their research idea to the reviewer and this requires a shift of mindset, as Kaycie Butler explains
Reading time
3minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 12 August, 2022
For reputation or promotion? Book or peer-reviewed journal? Publishing is a high-stakes issue for academics. Catherine Léglu looks at scholars’ motivations to publish, where and how often
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 19 May, 2022
Using examples and practical tips, Dorsa Amir explains the techniques that ensure your presentation communicates its message effectively – from slide design to structuring your talk
Reading time
3minutes
By Miranda Prynne, 18 October, 2022
What options are open to you as a researcher if you decide formal academia within a university is not for you? Helen Ross outlines considerations and useful advice for anyone wishing to become an independent researcher
Reading time
4minutes
By dene.mullen, 10 November, 2022
It might just be possible to achieve a good work-life balance in academia, but it requires focusing on certain areas of your life and career at certain times, says Lucas Lixinski
Reading time
5minutes
Success for all
Resources