The United Kingdom, steeped in history and culture, as well as being home to high-quality universities and research opportunities is an appealing option as a prospective PhD candidate or established academic coming from abroad. However, before you make the move to the UK for either study or work purposes, there…>
Career Development
How do you stay focused when researching?
Imagine spending hours on research, only to realise that you have drifted off course and lost your focus. Academic research and analysis can feel overwhelming, especially when juggling multiple tasks, distractions (because, as we all know, life happens!) and tight deadlines. Whether writing a PhD thesis, preparing a publication, or…>
Is a teaching career the right path for me?
Whilst a teaching career is a popular choice for graduates, and there is a wide range of training routes available to get into different areas of education, a key consideration is whether or not teaching is a suitable vocation for you. This will involve identifying your own skills, motivations and…>
How can I get into teaching?
Teachers are in high demand in the UK If you are a recent graduate exploring potential career opportunities, teaching can offer a rewarding and fulfilling career option for many individuals. Whilst the labour market in the UK will see variations in the demand for different skills and qualification levels – …>
How to overcome writer’s block
Writer’s block is frustrating and requires patience to overcome… …but it is a common challenge, especially for academics and professionals juggling multiple projects and deadlines, whether working independently or in collaboration. We have all been there before, staring at a blank screen as the deadline looms, unable to type a…>
AI in higher education – where are we now?
It has been a bit less than a year since I wrote a blog post on how generative AI can be used in higher education, with a focus on applications for teaching, research, and admin. I was a relatively early adopter of ChatGPT and have had my subscription to the…>
Managing your autocratic manager
There will be advantages and disadvantages to having an autocratic manager with a different approach to leadership… …but for some employees working under a colleague with an autocratic style can feel limiting and, at times, frustrating. This leadership style is typically characterised by the individual in the authority role making…>
How to write a problem statement
Writing a problem statement is an opportunity to present a problem you think you can solve with research. You will be able to present your findings and explore how you might be able to solve the problem. We shall look at how to write a successful problem statement covering how…>
Managing your disorganised manager
Do you have a disorganised manager? It is fair to say that across anyone’s employment history they will face periods of overwhelm in the workplace, especially when managing multiple tasks, projects, and individuals, coupled with high pressure – as is typical in a management position. However, some managers will have…>
Exploring AI Careers in Academia: Opportunities in Teaching, Research, and Innovation.
There has undoubtedly been a huge increase in advertised jobs in AI over the last 12 months, and whilst the majority have been advertised in the industrial sector, the trend is mirrored in Higher Education as the demand for teaching AI subjects has increased and the focus shifts to exploring…>