How to Do Academia

Career

What Do Journal Editors Want? Tips From an Editor-in-Chief

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on May 19, 2024

Publications in peer-reviewed, refereed scholarly journals are the currency of academia. Yet, the process is opaque. Tips from an experienced journal editor are presented.

Publications in peer-reviewed, refereed scholarly journals are the currency of academia. Yet, the process is opaque. Tips from an experienced journal editor are presented.

Psych Careers

School Psychology: A Forgotten Branch of Psychology

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on March 4, 2024

When choosing careers in psychology, many undergraduates gravitate to clinical psychology. Yet, school psychology is an area of high societal importance. And there is a shortage.

When choosing careers in psychology, many undergraduates gravitate to clinical psychology. Yet, school psychology is an area of high societal importance. And there is a shortage.

Leadership

Notes from Your Department Chair

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on December 29, 2023

Sandra Oh played "The Chair" in the 2021 Netflix show about becoming a department chair in academia. What are the roles, tasks, and responsibilities of being an academic leader?

Sandra Oh played "The Chair" in the 2021 Netflix show about becoming a department chair in academia. What are the roles, tasks, and responsibilities of being an academic leader?

Career

Anti-Science Violence, Psychology, and Science Communication

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on December 11, 2023

Science communication remains a critical activity for psychological scientists, but the nature of that communication is changing—and not for the better.

Science communication remains a critical activity for psychological scientists, but the nature of that communication is changing—and not for the better.

Resilience

Failure and Fear of Failure in Academia

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on May 28, 2023

All academics experience failure, imposed by today's metrics of evaluation. Developing a purpose beyond evaluation is helpful for a sustainable career.

All academics experience failure, imposed by today's metrics of evaluation. Developing a purpose beyond evaluation is helpful for a sustainable career.

Artificial Intelligence

AI and Large Language Models in Academic Psychology

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on April 30, 2023

Artificial intelligence and large language models are widely used. What are they, and what are the dangers?

Artificial intelligence and large language models are widely used. What are they, and what are the dangers?

Social Networking

How Should Academics Engage Through Social Media?

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on December 18, 2022

Personal Perspective: What is the best way for academics to use social media to advance careers, improve the quality of science, and expand the outreach of research? Be strategic.

Personal Perspective: What is the best way for academics to use social media to advance careers, improve the quality of science, and expand the outreach of research? Be strategic.

Imposter Syndrome

Supporting Graduate Students with Imposter Syndrome

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on October 29, 2022

So many graduate students have imposter syndrome. What can supervisors and professors do to support student well-being?

So many graduate students have imposter syndrome. What can supervisors and professors do to support student well-being?

Sleep

Professorial Coffee as the Keystone of Academic Culture

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on September 18, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Why is there a stereotype that professors drink so much coffee? It is not a stereotype.

A Personal Perspective: Why is there a stereotype that professors drink so much coffee? It is not a stereotype.

Time Management

Priority Setting in Academia

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on August 29, 2022

Time management in academia is an evergreen problem. Establishing personal and professional priorities is the first step to creating boundaries and a sustainable workload.

Time management in academia is an evergreen problem. Establishing personal and professional priorities is the first step to creating boundaries and a sustainable workload.

Rejection Sensitivity

Coping With Rejection in the Academic World

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on July 29, 2022

Has your work been rejected? There are ways to make rejection work for you.

Has your work been rejected? There are ways to make rejection work for you.

Attention

Building a Successful Research Lab Culture

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on July 2, 2022

Professors of psychology are responsible for leading a research lab. Creating a successful, productive, and joyful research lab can happen when culture and values are made clear.

Professors of psychology are responsible for leading a research lab. Creating a successful, productive, and joyful research lab can happen when culture and values are made clear.

Motivation

Redefining Professionalism

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on June 13, 2022

Professionalism is a key characteristic of being a psychologist. Yet, the term is vaguely defined and applied in a discriminatory manner. A new definition of the term is required.

Professionalism is a key characteristic of being a psychologist. Yet, the term is vaguely defined and applied in a discriminatory manner. A new definition of the term is required.

Burnout

Academia in Summer

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on May 21, 2022

Making the most of academic summers.

Making the most of academic summers.

Productivity

Fine-Tuning Productivity

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on May 2, 2022

There is no such thing as a productivity hack or shortcut. But you can develop strong habits and fine-tune those foundational habits for maximum efficiency.

There is no such thing as a productivity hack or shortcut. But you can develop strong habits and fine-tune those foundational habits for maximum efficiency.

Career

Considering a Psychology Career in Academia?

Steven R. Shaw Ph.D. on April 11, 2022

Many graduate students in school, clinicial, counseling, or I/O psychology do not think of academia as a viable career option. But there are many upsides.

Many graduate students in school, clinicial, counseling, or I/O psychology do not think of academia as a viable career option. But there are many upsides.