Degrees of Freedom Blog
Our blog discusses the swings and roundabout of professional life. From academic nonsense, to career changes, and insight into everything in-between.
![Rejection: Your Unwanted Academic Best Friend](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608793c626c0955ddc5843ec/1718621730218-5OROH4P69D6V5MWVBG69/image-asset.jpeg)
Rejection: Your Unwanted Academic Best Friend
Rejection is an inevitable part of academic life. So, you have to get used to it. In this blog, I discuss rejection, some positives of it, and how to deal with it.
![Metrics Rule Everything Around Me](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608793c626c0955ddc5843ec/1718361042353-OL6CLHGYO5VT6H0RKNBM/image-asset.jpeg)
Metrics Rule Everything Around Me
In academia, metrics are omnipresent. They can dictate funding decisions, job prospects, and even the perceived value of one's research. So, you need to understand them. This blog is aimed at contextualising the common metrics that academics are measured on.
![Maximize Your Academic Impact: Why Your Online Presence is Non-Negotiable!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608793c626c0955ddc5843ec/1717809098835-H8VFDFVFWF13HYTDT0XE/image-asset.jpeg)
Maximize Your Academic Impact: Why Your Online Presence is Non-Negotiable!
The game has changed, and in the digital age, you have to put yourself out there. For academics, crafting a robust online profile is no longer a nice-to-have; it's a must-have. Every academic needs an easily accessible online profile complete with a professional photo. The main tools at your disposal—Google Scholar, LinkedIn, Twitter, ResearchGate, and more—are your allies in this mission.
![Reading Papers: A Cheat’s Method for the Busy Academic](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608793c626c0955ddc5843ec/1716592692059-XQ1Y5E5WW9R8ZCC4EAN5/image-asset.jpeg)
Reading Papers: A Cheat’s Method for the Busy Academic
Reading academic publications can suck – but you cannot avoid it. Today, we chat methods to maximise your engagement with the literature.
![Getting the Most Out of Your PhD - Stop being a spectator and get involved!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608793c626c0955ddc5843ec/1715946280468-HC3QPWL94M6CV9R9TZT2/image-asset.jpeg)
Getting the Most Out of Your PhD - Stop being a spectator and get involved!
PhD landscape is both a challenge and an opportunity for growth. Say yes, show up, and make the most of the opportunity.
![Welcome to the (Academic) Jungle](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608793c626c0955ddc5843ec/1715394371434-FVTIGEBB61K2ERS1WIFG/image-asset.jpeg)
Welcome to the (Academic) Jungle
You’ve graduated from a PhD and now you’re moving onto you first proper academic job - a postdoc! Here are some key tips to get the most out of your postdoc and set yourself up for an academic career.
![A letter to struggling PhD students](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608793c626c0955ddc5843ec/5051a43a-4da9-4a2b-8848-37e84e4a8067/unsplash-image-qDbnNDF2jZ4.jpg)
A letter to struggling PhD students
A PhD can be many things - impactful, inspiring, eye-opening, career building, however, it can also be one of the most stressful experiences of a person’s life. In this blog, Dr. Aaron Elbourne shares some of his thoughts on the very common struggles of many PhD students and how you can manage them.