So much academic output is focused on the written word. Yet so little time is spent looking at how to do it. Further, once we do it, we never look at how we could improve the process – even if marginally. Through use of the concept of marginal gains, I thought you could improve your productivity by an article (or more) per year.

Link to transcript: https://www.drrichardhuysmans.com/making-marginal-gains-in-your-research-writing-2/

Marginal gains are small improvements that have the opportunity to compound. They were made famous by the British Cycling Team that competed (and won lots of gold medals) at the 2008 Olympics. But the idea has been around for much longer than that. In some respects it’s the automation and mechanisation of repetitive processes. And, in the hyper competitive world of academic grants, and publication marginal gains can be the difference between on-going success or a series of near misses.

Link to transcript: https://www.drrichardhuysmans.com/how-to-make-marginal-gains-in-your-research-2/

It is a long list... 

1. Why (go back to) study?  

2. How should I study?  

3. How do I prefer to learn?  

4. What do I want to do after I complete my study?  

5. Am I ready for other peoples’ reaction?  

6. What will I need to change to make this work?  

7. What must stay the same (in order for this to work)?  

8. What am I not giving up (no matter what)?  

9. What will I gain?  

10. What’s my plan?  

11. Am I ready to do the work?  

12. What is success for me?  

13. What happens when I lose motivation?  

14. What happens if it is not what I expected?  

15. What are the power dynamics between me, and my teachers?  

16. What are the power dynamics between me, and my fellow students?  

17. Full-time or part-time?  

18. Do I need to quit my job?  

19. Who/how will I pay?  

20. What’s my entry plan?  

21. What’s my exit plan?

Link to transcript: https://www.drrichardhuysmans.com/twenty-one-questions-to-ask-and-answer-before-you-do-a-phd/

A key part of academic life is reading – reading all of the necessary research literature. Now, you could never hope to read it all. But you could improve your reading through marginal gains. Making changes that result in small improvements that compound. Read daily. Queue your reading. Read on devices, not just computer or paper.

Link to transcript: https://www.drrichardhuysmans.com/how-to-read-more-articles-2/

Six tips to being a better PhD supervisor: 

1. Do the training. 

2. Know your students. 

3. Respect their time. 

4. Refer to others. 

5. Model good behaviour. 

6. Make progress visible.

Link to transcript: https://www.drrichardhuysmans.com/six-tips-to-become-a-better-phd-supervisor/

There are four PhD derailers. Avoid them where you can. But if you cannot avoid them, here are some ways through or around them.

Link to transcript: https://www.drrichardhuysmans.com/four-phd-derailers-and-their-solutions/

Being an academic and/or training to be one (e.g. PhD student) means that you view a lot of your skills and experiences in that light. However, if you ask others' for their ideas you'll find your skills are transferable. So, if you're an academic (hammer) you'll see everything as an academic skill (a nail). So, talk to other people (tools) about their experiences.

Link to transcript: https://www.drrichardhuysmans.com/when-youre-a-hammer-everything-looks-like-a-nail-2/

So much of what we do is up for review at the moment. And one of the biggest changes is an increased use of videoconferencing. It's been used across society from game shows, to press conferences to meetings. Now all of these are relatively "normal" uses of video. But, my challenge to you is to be open to more novel uses of video. For example, play dates, birthdays and meditation are all things I would immediately said "no" to but I was forced to try them. Now, I know they work.  So - ask yourself - Will it Zoom?

Link to transcript: https://www.drrichardhuysmans.com/will-it-zoom-2/

What’s a high-performing research team I hear you ask? I’d like to know too! But, until then we can look to examples like performing art or motorsport. We’ll look at how those teams operate and some of the lessons we can take into our research teams.

Do you manage research projects or do they manage you? If you’d like to have more clarity about what is happening when; who is responsible; reporting and milestone timing then this podcast is for you. Bring your questions, as I’m guaranteed to have answers. And you never know, some of my answers might even be good ones.