Helping academic skills transfer to non-academic careers Thirty years ago, I started training graduate students. I realize now that I had no idea what I was doing. That’s not a big surprise: like virtually all new professors I’d been taught how to design an experiment and write a thesis, but…>
Career Development
Managing lack of feedback when job searching
Job searching and making multiple applications in a competitive job market can feel overwhelming at the best of times, but this can be added to by frustration when you don’t hear back from recruiters or prospective employers. Producing tailored applications and preparing thoroughly for interviews can be time-consuming and not…>
What DO academics do in the Summer?
“It must be nice to have your summers off” – and other things we don’t know about each other If you’re an academic, I bet you’re like me: thoroughly tired, if not driven to hair-pulling and teeth-gnashing, by the well-intentioned comments you get about your summers. If I had 10p…>
How career mentorship helps growth and development
The opportunity to receive mentorship from another professional or peer can create a valuable activity for continuing professional development and growth by offering a varied and hands-on approach to learning. Typically, a mentoring relationship can enable individuals to benefit from real-world/industry insights, shared experiences and individual and personalised guidance. These…>
The Teaching Tightrope: Presence Versus Pressure
By creating safe, supportive spaces, educators can spark student participation that feels engaging, not overwhelming. Whether online or face-to-face, presence should empower curiosity and trust, not anxiety. In this article, I offer tips and strategies to help you achieve this balance, so students connect, contribute, and develop deeper critical thinking skills.
The future of women in engineering
On June 23rd 2025, we will celebrate International Women in Engineering Day… …a day to celebrate the achievements of women in engineering and encourage more young women to study engineering, as less than 1 in 5 engineers in the UK are women today. This year, INWED has “Together We Engineer”…>
How to keep motivated halfway through the year
Did you know that World Productivity Day is on 20th June 2025? It is not about taking on more things and cramming our schedules even more. It reminds us that efficiency is key as well as looking after our wellbeing. It is an opportunity to set new goals, to reflect…>
Keeping your team motivated in challenging times
In the current climate of Higher Education, many professionals, such as academics, researchers, and support staff, are navigating significant change. Whether it’s restructuring, funding pressures, or shifting institutional priorities, uncertainty can understandably affect morale and motivation across teams. Keeping your team motivated requires expert leadership. But even in the most…>
How to prepare for retirement
Are you nearing retirement and not sure how to prepare? Retirement could be a significant change, especially if you have spent decades working in a full-time job. In the article below, we shall explore some strategies to help you prepare for this life-changing event. Making financial plans You need to…>
Get Creative with a Limited Budget
See our top tips on how to stay productive with a limited budget Due to the general severity of financial strain across many industries such as Tech, the Health sector and public sectors, many Higher and Further Education institutions are looking to do more with less funding and resources. They…>