Aiming for tenure? Enhance your research’s visibilityBy enhancing your networking skills and increasing the visibility of your work, you can demonstrate value to your institution and improve your chances of achieving tenureAbhishek S Rao K PManipal Academy of Higher Education
How to manage parental leave for university staffParental leave presents challenges for the parent and the workplace, writes Judith Lock. Here are some dos and don’ts for before, during and after the leave period that aim to smooth the return to work and fix academia’s leaky pipelineJudith LockUniversity of Southampton
Four ways to weave job skills teaching into the university experienceWith research finding a hefty proportion of graduates underemployed, what can higher education do to improve career readiness? Erica Estes and Sean O’Keefe offer advice Erica Estes, Sean O'KeefeUniversity of Arkansas
Eight ways to be a better leaderBeing brave enough to make decisions without worrying about failure is important. Lead the way and you can inspire and develop your team, writes Padma RaniPadma Rani Manipal Academy of Higher Education
How to balance teaching and research As an early-career academic, how can you juggle teaching and researching while also prioritising self-care? Callum Russell shares his reflections on striking a balanceCallum RussellUniversity of the West of Scotland
Five leadership tips for women in higher educationThe first woman of Indian heritage to head a Russell Group business school shares leadership insights for women in higher education, from mentorship and resilience to self-discovery and embracing your unique identityPalie Smart University of Bristol
Finding – and raising – my voice as a Black female leader in higher educationWomen of colour face a formidable set of challenges in the quest to find their place and voice in higher education. Menah Pratt shares the lessons learned in her journey – from the power of persistence to harnessing her creativity Menah PrattVirginia Tech
Questions for the next stage of university leadershipWhat do I want my legacy as a woman leader to be? These questions can provide a road map for reflection on and planning an academic career, writes Katia Paz GoldfarbKatia Paz GoldfarbMontclair State University
Three principles for leadership in academiaReflecting on her personal journey, Catherine Moran shares the key guidelines that have shaped her leadership as a woman in higher education in times of changeCatherine MoranTe Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Effective levers to foster women – specifically women of colour – into leadership rolesGender and race disparities persist in leadership roles within academic institutions. Here, Menah Pratt shares her advice on effective levers to foster women of colour into leadership rolesMenah PrattVirginia Tech
How to advance your academic careerWorking in an industry that shapes the lives of future generations, it is crucial to ensure that your decisions positively impact students’ educational journeys and contribute to the overall growth and success of the institution, writes Arunima K VArunima K VManipal Academy of Higher Education
The tough road to leadership as a woman in higher educationRepresentation matters, writes Marcheta Evans. Here, she offers advice for institutions and educators about the life lessons they need to pass to female scholars (and one for men, too)Marcheta P. EvansMontclair State University
Get real about hiring people with disabilitiesFor too long ‘lived experience’ has been an inadequate requirement for jobs that make decisions for people with disabilities, and recruitment practices need to change, write Paul Harpur and Brooke SzücsPaul Harpur, Brooke SzücsThe University of Queensland
How to face adversity and change in higher education with resilience In times of stress and uncertainty, university leaders must model calmness, clarity and confidence in their ability to respond to and recover from challenges, writes Sonia Alvarez-Robinson. Here, she offers practical strategies based on her own experience Sonia Alvarez-RobinsonGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Leaving a legacy as a Black female leader in higher educationWomen of colour can leave a legacy that endures far beyond their tenures, writes Menah Pratt. Here, she shares her experience with racism and sexism and describes actions that leave a mark on institutions and students and defy under-representationMenah PrattVirginia Tech
Four ways to achieve a better work-life balance in academiaSwitching off can be a considerable challenge for those working in higher education, even though it is essential for a work-life balance and well-beingRushana KhusainovaUniversity of Bristol
When good enough is not enoughBack your own abilities and let your talents be seen, writes Verna Yiu. Here, she shares lessons from her own career journey on how women can increase opportunities for themselves and each otherVerna YiuUniversity of Alberta
I found my voice as a woman in academia; here’s how you can do the samePeople want to know that you are competent. If you are not a capable pilot, no one is going to get on your plane, writes Veronica Hope HaileyVeronica Hope Hailey University of Bristol
How to support your staff during personal crises A little-discussed aspect of leadership is how to support faculty and staff during times of trouble. Here, Helen Norris offers advice for making space and effective communicationHelen NorrisChapman University
How to get promoted from an adjunct to a permanent positionTransitioning from an adjunct to a permanent position requires a multifaceted approach that combines teaching excellence, professional development, networking and a clear demonstration of commitment to the institution's mission, writes Shruthi J. MayurShruthi J. MayurManipal Academy of Higher Education
Crossing time zones: developing a transnational professional development series Co-creation with TNE partners allows both front-line educators and host institution opportunities for quality assurance and pathways to build communities of practice. Here, Dom Conroy and Santanu Vasant outline 11 steps to working with international partnersDom Conroy, Santanu VasantLondon Metropolitan University
Build yourself a life raft by establishing a strong mentor relationshipMentorship can offer a place of stability amid the choppy waters of a new role. Ibiyemi Omeihe explains how to find your new guideIbiyemi Omeihe University of the West of Scotland
How to turn down a promotion without losing face Being offered a promotion might be satisfying, but if it doesn’t align with your career goals, you should not feel obligated to accept the job, writes Shwetha Mudabagilu KrishnappShwetha Mudabagilu KrishnappManipal Academy of Higher Education
How to turn an average collaboration into a dream teamIn this extract from ‘Scientific Collaboration’, Jeanne M. Fair advises scientists to hone the skill of collaboration for better researchJeanne M. FairLos Alamos National Laboratory
Strategies for cultivating academic resilience In a career that will make you question everything, challenge and failure are tools for moving forward, writes Andrew Stapleton. Here, he offers techniques to build resilience after setbacksAndrew StapletonIndependent academic
How academics can ‘stay put’ without ‘staying still’Moving universities for career advancement is a common practice in academia. But what happens if you want to remain in the same institution? Here, Doune Macdonald shares how to keep progressing into new roles and responsibilitiesDoune MacdonaldThe University of Queensland
Researchers should harness the explorer’s spirit to find their career pathLee Chien Ching shares advice to her younger self and other early career academics on forging your own path through the sometimes forbidding jungle of academiaLee Chien Ching Singapore Institute of Technology
How to make the move from academia to academic administrationTransitioning from academia to academic administration requires proactivity and a desire to learn. Here are some tips to help you prepareN. N. SharmaManipal Academy of Higher Education
How to facilitate knowledge exchange and build trust with policymakersThose seeking to create impact with their evidence should be ready to understand how public sector bodies make sense of the value of research, writes Julian MolinaJulian MolinaUniversity of Bristol
Conference presentations 101: master the art of speaking to an audienceDon’t get stage fright when it comes to presenting your research. Ayten Ordu offers her tips for preparing for speaking successAyten OrduNear East University
How to craft a compelling academic CVBeing able to condense your qualifications and achievements into an impactful academic CV is key to standing out as a researcher. Here, Ishwar Bhiradi offers advice on articulation, visual appeal and savvy AI integration to help you make a memorable first impressionIshwar Bhiradi Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Why you should do a staff mobility programme and how to set one upWhether you participate in an exchange or a traineeship, mobility programmes offer teachers unparalleled growth, but there are obstacles universities should help staff overcomeShelini Surendran, Paul TownsendUniversity of Surrey
How to work smarter, not harder in higher educationFrom effective delegation and tech integration to building networks and embracing self-care, here are some practical tips for academics seeking balanceK. V. SriramManipal Academy of Higher Education
How to build trust as a research supervisor Building trust is a crucial foundation of the supervisor-supervisee relationship. Kingsley Omeihe argues it’s a two-way processKingsley OmeiheUniversity of the West of Scotland
In-person events are still necessaryShould academics be travelling to events that could be done virtually? Drawing on her experiences at COP28, Denise Baden shares tips on how to make the most of these events – and why a chance to form alliances, learn from each other and share ideas for action make it worth being presentDenise BadenUniversity of Southampton
Campus interview: Mike Ibba of Chapman University on mentorship and the future of US scienceIn this video podcast Mike Ibba, dean of Schmid College of Science and Technology at Chapman University, talks about undergraduate research, what philosophers and scientists can learn from each other and the state of US federal funding for science and technology researchMike IbbaChapman University
How to show you’re the best person for the jobMany applicants struggle to articulate their successes in their applications for a job, promotion or award. Harriet Dunbar-Morris is here to help you make your case Harriet Dunbar-MorrisUniversity of Buckingham
Enhancing negotiation skills: a step-by-step guide for graduate students The art of job-offer discussions is a skill that will serve scholars throughout an academic career. Here is what to consider and what to say at each stage of the processGaeun (Gwenn) SeoGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Conferences, TED talks and social media: the ultimate tools for academic profile buildingEffective social media use and strategic networking can help you shape a distinctive personal brand as an academic. Padmakumar K offers some practical guidance on how to increase your reachPadmakumar KManipal Academy of Higher Education
It can be different: managing time, tasks and well-being in academiaAcademic careers are often associated with long hours, overwhelming workload and burnout – but it doesn’t have to be that way. Understanding the nature of knowledge work can help, says Katrina McChesneyKatrina McChesneyUniversity of Waikato
Prepare for promotion: how to develop a strategy for successHow can you ensure you have the best chances of success when applying for a promotion? Here are some tips from careers consultant Eleanor Hennige Eleanor HennigeThe University of Edinburgh
Maximise your research impact with these seven LinkedIn tipsLinkedIn works as a powerful tool for academics who want to share their research, yet self-promotion can be daunting. Here are seven tips to engage with other academics on the platform and define your brandRushana Khusainova, Julio D'Angelo Davies, Hannah Robinson , Chris Bennett, Imad Faruque , Lucy Wallis, Jacks BennettUniversity of Bristol
How to embed inclusive recruitment practices in a higher education setting Hiring practices – from job posting to interview – are key to creating a diverse workforce. Here, Damien Page offers advice on how to drive university-wide inclusivity from the classroom to the community Damien PageBuckinghamshire New University
Leverage careers educators’ academic expertise to improve careers educationCareers-focused learning can benefit when careers educators bring their academic expertise into the equation. Anna Branford and Luella Leon of RMIT explain howAnna Branford , Luella LeonRMIT University
Hone the story of your career to make a case for promotionReflecting on achievements, considering broader impacts and shaping a narrative that resonates can help you craft a compelling career story that enhances your chances of promotionEleonora Pantano, Rachael LambUniversity of Bristol
It’s time to fully support promotions on the education pathwaySpecialist teaching roles such as librarians and learning designers may not map perfectly on to criteria for professorial posts, but they make significant contributions to the student experience and should be rewarded as such, argues Harriet Dunbar-MorrisHarriet Dunbar-MorrisUniversity of Buckingham
Get the word out: four ways to communicate with non-academic audiencesSharing scientific research with the wider public can be instrumental in breaking down the barriers to academic work. Ashleigh Johnstone offers adviceAshleigh JohnstoneArden University
The ‘above average’ illusion: tackling overconfidence in the classroomOverconfidence among business graduates can result in costly personal and professional mistakes. Ekaterina Ipatova proposes a new approachEkaterina IpatovaRoehampton University
How to engage your staff in just 15 minutes You need to get updates and other messages to faculty and staff, but they don’t have much time for internal communications. Here, Kelly Hibbs offers tips to reach a busy audience in a quick, engaging, accessible wayKelly HibbsUniversity of Southampton
Don’t keep your distance learners at a distanceTailored communication, supervision and technology can give distance-learning postgraduate researchers the same sense of belonging as their on-campus counterparts. Here, Richard Thomas offers ways to close the gapRichard ThomasUniversity of Leicester