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.
![Academia: A Survival Guide (Or: Things I wish I had known) – Part 2](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608793c626c0955ddc5843ec/1627783465771-8GZTWDI6O5KX3YMRSO3P/unsplash-image-9wWX_jwDHeM.jpg)
Academia: A Survival Guide (Or: Things I wish I had known) – Part 2
I was recently asked to give a talk to PhD students on how to be successful in academia. It made me think of all the things I wish that I had known when I started. In this blog post, I have tried to summarise some key pieces of advice that I would have liked to have had and will hopefully help you find your way through academia.