things you shouldn't say out loud in academia 🤫

Good morning! ☕️ It's October 10th, 2024! 🦔 On this World Hedgehog Day, let's appreciate these prickly little creatures. After all, they've mastered the art of self-defense, while we're still trying to shield our egos from harsh peer reviews! 🥲

9 open secrets in academia: what everyone knows but nobody says 🤫

We've all been there - those unspoken truths of academic life that everyone seems to know but rarely discusses openly. Inspired by Andy Stapleton's insightful video, let's pull back the curtain on some of academia's open secrets:

1️⃣ The Publish or Perish Paradox: The pressure to constantly publish can sometimes overshadow the quality of research.

2️⃣ Imposter Syndrome is universal: Even accomplished professors often feel like they're faking it. Why is impostor syndrome so prevalent in academia? Read more about this feeling of academic ‘falseness’ or ‘phoniness’ in this interesting article.

3️⃣ The Funding Frenzy: The constant hunt for grants can be as time-consuming as the research itself. If this really resonates with you, check out our recently published guide on PhD funding in the US!

4️⃣ Conference Tourism: Some academics choose conferences based on location rather than relevance.

5️⃣ The Peer Review Rollercoaster: The peer review process can be inconsistent and sometimes feels arbitrary.

6️⃣ The Teaching-Research Tug-of-War: Balancing teaching responsibilities with research ambitions is an ongoing struggle.

7️⃣ The Networking Game: Sometimes, who you know can be as important as what you know.

8️⃣ The work-life imbalance: Maintaining a healthy work-life balance in academia can feel like an impossible task.

9️⃣ The Unspoken Hierarchy: There's often an unofficial pecking order in departments that goes beyond formal titles.

Remember, acknowledging these open secrets doesn't mean we can't work to change them. By openly discussing these challenges, we can start to address them and create a healthier academic environment for all!

Spotlight on: 5 groundbreaking neuroscience talks reshaping our understanding of the brain 🧠

In the fast-evolving field of neuroscience, new discoveries continue to challenge what we know about how our brains work, how we perceive the world, and how we can optimize our cognitive potential. These 5 TED Talks take us to the cutting edge of brain science, exploring topics ranging from neuroplasticity to the mysteries of consciousness and the essential role of sleep in mental health. Dive into these talks and discover how they are reshaping our understanding of the brain.

"Your Brain Hallucinates Your Conscious Reality" by Dr. Anil Seth

Dr. Seth explores the idea that our perceptions of the world are controlled hallucinations generated by the brain. He explains how consciousness is a process shaped by our predictions and sensory inputs.

🎬 Watch here

"Sleep is Your Superpower" by Dr. Matt Walker

Dr. Walker discusses the vital importance of sleep, explaining how it affects memory, learning, and mental health. He makes a strong case for getting enough rest to optimize cognitive function and longevity.

🎬 Watch here

"The Mysterious Workings of the Adolescent Brain" by Dr. Sarah-Jayne Blakemore

Dr. Blakemore explains the changes that occur in the adolescent brain and how these changes impact behavior, decision-making, and social interactions.

🎬 Watch here

"How We Read Each Other's Minds" by Rebecca Saxe

Neuroscientist Rebecca Saxe explores how the brain understands other people's thoughts, a process known as "theory of mind," and highlights the brain regions involved in social cognition.

🎬 Watch here

"The Amazing Brain: What Neuroscience Tells Us About Our Minds" by Dr. Wendy Suzuki

Dr. Suzuki discusses how exercise impacts the brain and enhances cognitive function. She also shares her personal story of how she used exercise to combat depression and boost her memory.

🎬 Watch here

👉🏼 Bonus: If you’ve ever listened to Dr. Wendy Suzuki, you know how captivating she is—we’ve even featured her more than once on our TikTok! In this must-watch TED Talk Dr. Suzuki and HSBC’s Annabel Spring tackle the age-old question, “what makes a good life?” 🤔 This conversation sheds light on how small actions can have a profound impact on living a fulfilling life—answering one of the hardest questions we all face.

Crafting the perfect academic CV: Tips from hiring committee insiders 💼

You've spent years honing your research skills, but how much time have you spent perfecting your CV? We've gathered insights from hiring committee members across various disciplines to help you create a CV that truly shines.

Tailor your CV: "One size fits all" doesn't work in academia. Customize your CV for each position. This means:

• Carefully read the job description and highlight experiences that match their requirements.

• Adjust the order of your sections to prioritize what's most relevant for that specific role.

• Use keywords from the job posting in your CV (but don't overdo it).

Highlight your impact: Don't just list publications—show their impact. Consider:

• Including citation counts for your most impactful papers.

• Mentioning any papers that have led to policy changes or practical applications.

• Highlighting invited talks or media coverage resulting from your work.

Be clear and concise: Your CV should be easy to scan. Hiring committees often review hundreds of applications, so make yours stand out:

• Use consistent formatting throughout.

• Opt for bullet points over long paragraphs.

• Choose a clean, professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman are safe bets).

• Don't be afraid of white space—it makes your CV more readable.

Show your funding success: Securing grants is a valuable skill. Make your funding record shine:

• List grants chronologically, with the most recent first.

• Include your role (PI, Co-PI, etc.), the funding body, amount, and duration.

• If you've managed large budgets or teams as part of these grants, mention it.

Don't neglect teaching experience: Even for research-focused roles, teaching matters. Here's how to showcase it effectively:

• List courses taught, including brief descriptions if they're particularly relevant.

• Highlight any curriculum development or innovative teaching methods you've employed.

• Include quantitative teaching evaluations if they're strong.

• Mention any teaching awards or recognition you've received.

🔥 Ready to revamp your CV? Here's a quick checklist:

✅ Clear, consistent formatting
✅ Reverse chronological order
✅ Quantifiable achievements where possible
✅ Relevant skills and techniques
✅ Awards and honors
✅ Professional memberships

Remember, your CV is often your first impression. Make it count!

2 ways generative AI is revolutionizing climate change research (with real prompts) 🌍

AI isn't just for chatbots anymore, it's becoming an indispensable tool in climate change research. Here are two ways researchers are leveraging generative AI to tackle the climate crisis:

Enhancing climate models

Generative AI is helping create more accurate and detailed climate models by filling in data gaps and identifying complex patterns.

Try this prompt with your favorite AI tool:

"I'm a climate scientist working on improving regional climate models. Can you suggest ways that generative AI could be used to enhance the accuracy and resolution of our predictions, particularly in areas with sparse historical data?"

Enhancing climate models Accelerating materials discovery for green tech

AI is speeding up the process of discovering new materials for solar panels, batteries, and carbon capture technologies.

Here's a prompt to explore this further:

Remember, AI is a tool to enhance your research, not replace your expertise. Use it wisely, and always critically evaluate its outputs!

Global research collaboration grants: opportunities for 2025 💰

Attention, researchers! As international collaboration becomes increasingly crucial in addressing global challenges, many top US universities are offering grants to support cross-border research initiatives. Here are some exciting opportunities to watch for in 2025

👉🏼 Stanford Global Development and Poverty Research Initiative

• Open to: Stanford faculty

• Focus: Interdisciplinary research addressing global poverty and 👀development

• Funding: Up to $70,000 per year for up to three years

• Note: While current info is for 2024, this is an annual program likely to continue in 2025

👉🏼 Columbia University Global Innovation Fund

• Open to: Columbia faculty

• Focus: Fostering international research collaborations across all disciplines

• Funding: Up to $50,000 for faculty-led projects

• Key feature: Encourages partnerships with Columbia Global Centers

👉🏼 Harvard Global Institute

• Open to: Harvard faculty

• Focus: Large-scale, interdisciplinary research projects addressing global issues

• Funding: Large grants (up to $1.5 million) and small grants (up to $150,000)

• Note: Emphasis on collaborations with scholars and institutions worldwide

👉🏼 MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI)

• Open to: MIT faculty and researchers

• Focus: Promoting international research collaborations and cultural exchange

• Funding: Varies by program, typically covering travel and research expenses

• Key feature: Offers region-specific programs (e.g., MIT-Africa, MIT-China)

👉🏼 University of California Global Health Institute (UCGHI) GloCal Health Fellowship

• Open to: Researchers from UC campuses and international partner institutions

• Focus: Global health research

• Funding: Covers stipend, travel, and research costs for 11 months

• Key feature: Emphasizes mentored research and career development

Important note: While these programs are based on current information, most are recurring and likely to be available in 2025. Always check the respective university websites for the most up-to-date information on application deadlines and eligibility criteria!

💣 Pro tip: Many of these programs require or strongly encourage collaboration with international partners. Start building your global network now to strengthen your application for 2025 - early preparation is key!

Something fun 😂