Conversations with Academics

Dr. Steven Alexander - University of Waterloo - Environmental Change and Governance Group Steven tells me about his journey as an educator, and then his introduction to research. We talk a bit about decision making and having multiple threads of importance in your life. Academics can get caught up in only thinking that one thing, career progress, is important - often leaving other very important things behind.

Dr. Georgia Hart-Fredeluces - Idaho State University - Dept. of Sociology Georgia tells me about her journey into, out of, and back into academia - and how this path is never really that clear. She tells me about how she has trusted herself to know when something is not quite right, and how she made brave changes in her life in those cases. 

Dr. Rob Quinlan - Washington State University - Dept. of Anthropology Rob and I talk about academic culture, and what might be wrong with some of it. He discusses patterns of time management in both academics and hunter gatherer societies - and how much time the later spends being 'idle.' 

Dr. Katy Prudic - University of Arizona Katy and I talk about her recent job search process, hobbies, and starting a citizen science program. She co-founded and manages a citizen science program called eButterfly. 

Dr. Erica Crespi - Washington State University Erica and I talk about the stress of academia, making unplanned decisions, and time management. Erica stresses the importance of communicating, both with yourself, and your adviser. Unfortunately, Erica's microphone cuts out a bit, so it doesn't sound as great as it could. The remote interviews are still a big work in progress, so I apologize for that.

Dr. Sarah Schaack - Reed College Sarah and I talk about what differs between academic positions at small liberal arts schools and large public universities. We discuss decisions, changing your mind during an academic career, and how doing what you are passionate about will more likely lead to success. She explains how going to East Africa is important to her, and how she managed to work that into her career.

Aristide Kamla Takoukam - University of Florida & African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization (AMMCO) Aristide and I talk about the challenges of starting a non-profit organization, while doing a PhD. Soon-to-be Dr. Takoukam, has been fighting for marine mammal conservation in his home country of Cameroon, where people hunt just about anything for sustenance. He discusses working with local fisherman, working all the hours of the day and night, and future plans. See his organization website here: https://www.ammco.org/apropos

Dr. Ian Robertson - Boise State University Ian and I talk about how things have changed at Boise State University over the years that he has been there. We talk about saying "no," and finding "balance." The audio quality is not the best, but hopefully it isn't too bothersome. At the end I mention another podcast that listeners may be interested in - Changing Academic Life. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1NbidQWjRZOOe-Tc0top5Xd0oN7IbcVow

Dr. Chris McClure - Director of Global Conservation Science, The Peregrine Fund.  Chris gives us a brief history lesson about the Peregrine Fund, and how he has "no balance." We talk about coding, its uses, and how much we enjoy it. Chris did a postdoc in my current lab, so I knew him for a while before this interview - I think the conversation comes off a bit more naturally because of this. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_D4ZjPjwm0DEn9zueyfbGcEvHX8kkhXm/view?usp=sharing

Dr. Jacinta Beehner - Dept. of Psychology, University of Michigan.  This is the sixth episode of the academic work-life balance podcast, where I interview academics  about their work-life management. Do they work and have an 'outside' life? If so, how do they keep their research program working smoothly? My intentions are for academics to realize that they aren't alone in thinking that academia can be very stressful and overwhelming sometimes, but sometimes I get off track. https://drive.google.com/open?id=132BCDBtXBI-Zk2LtzTFzzm8IUA3iZSpo