This Academic Life

By STEM Talent LLC

This is an academic podcast for everyone who inspires to be a successful STEM educator and researcher. In each show, we share stories and look into the incredible journey that impacts STEM education a... more

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FAQs about This Academic Life:

How many episodes does This Academic Life have?

The podcast currently has 104 episodes available.

This Academic Life episodes:

October 26, 2022Ep.41 – A Pivotal Decision: Plan for Promotion to Full or Move to Administration?
In this episode, we discuss your options for your future in academia. Do you continue the route of being a professor and attain full tenure or do you pivot to an administrative role? Both have their positives and negatives, we discuss and layout our thoughts on the issue.
Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Editing team:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Edited by Angella Chen
Edited by Jared Duffy
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
18min
October 12, 2022Ep.40 – Does Prestige Matter in Academia?
In this episode, we discuss whether prestige matters in academia and how it shapes academic hierarchy. This topic is based on a paper published recently in Nature entitled “Quantifying hierarchy and dynamics in US faculty hiring and retention” authored by Daniel Larremorem et al, which presented an analysis based on a large dataset from US faculty census collected in the past 10 years.
Reference list:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05222-x
https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/02/university-hiring-if-you-didn-t-get-your-ph-d-at-an-elite-university-good-luck-finding-an-academic-job.html
Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Editing team:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Edited by Angella Chen
Edited by Jared Duffy
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
1min
September 28, 2022Ep.39 – How do faculty choose research topics?
In this episode, we talk about how faculty choose research topics and how one can come up with novel ideas for research. We also share a few tips for junior faculty as they step into their independent research career.
Reference list:
https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2016/09/academic-conferences
https://www.watermarkinsights.com/resources/blog/top-five-ways-your-college-can-support-veterans
Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Editing team:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Edited by Angella Chen
Edited by Jared Duffy
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
28min
September 14, 2022Ep.38 – Episode 38: Ready, Set, Go for a new academic year
Returning from the break we dive into how to prepare for the new school year including tips on how to balance your workload and block out time for yourself.
Reference list:
https://www.sssp-research.org/how-do-you-prepare-for-the-new-academic-year/
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/10/09/prep-squad-how-faculty-gets-ready-new-school-year
Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Editing team:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Edited by Angella Chen
Edited by Jared Duffy
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
1min
August 31, 2022Ep.3 – Rerun: Real Talk: 5 Unspoken Tips for Early Career Faculty
The early years of a faculty position can be an exciting and challenging experience. In this episode, we will provide 5 unspoken tips for early-career faculty. These tips are gathered from our own experiences, which can benefit those who are going through the early years of their academic life.
Reference list: Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
References:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00216-017-0817-5
https://tomprof.stanford.edu/posting/976
https://whatisthemeaningofmylife.com/tag/academic-life/
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7715&context=dissertations
Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newel (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
1min
August 17, 2022Ep.4 – Rerun: The H-Index: Keeping up with the Joneses
The h-index, or Hirsch index, measures the research impact and productivity of a particular scientist. Since its inception in 2005, it has become a standard way to somewhat objectively quantify an individual’s research impact. In this episode, you will learn what it is, what is expected of this H-index from researchers at different stages of their research careers, and ethical practices in increasing your H-index. We also raise concerns in the un-intended use of H-index for the academic world we are in today. Reference list: Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected]) References:
https://www.journal-publishing.com/blog/good-h-index-required-academic-position/
https://phys.org/news/2020-07-albert-einstein-mediocre-h-index-bogus.html
http://www.webometrics.info/en/hlargerthan100
https://www.aacc.org/cln/articles/2019/september/scientific-impact-and-the-h-index
https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/102/46/16569.full.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-index#Comparing_results_across_fields_and_career_levels
https://www.slideshare.net/AnneWilHarzing/citation-metrics-across-disciplines-google-scholar-scopus-and-the-web-of-science
Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on facebook group “This Academic Life”. Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newel (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
1min
August 03, 2022Ep.9 – Rerun: Academic Salary
In this episode, we discuss the taboo topic of a professor’s salary and the importance of academic salary transparency. We also discuss how administrators can work with junior faculty and help them ease the salary negotiation process. Reference list:
https://www.ccdaily.com/2021/04/a-look-at-faculty-presidents-salaries/
https://www.lifeofaprofessor.com/post/are-professors-rich
The Annual Report on the Economic Status of the Profession, 2018-19
https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2014/07/02/327289264/episode-550-when-salaries-arent-secret
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Contact list:
If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on facebook group “This Academic Life”.
Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newel (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
1min
July 20, 2022Ep.37 – Academic Conferences
In this episode, we talk about academic conferences. Why you should go, what you need to do to prepare, and what are the do’s and dont’s when you get there.

Reference list:

Sponsor: De Gruyter: This episode is sponsored by De Gruyter and its portfolio in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. For “Students and Researchers in Mathematics” De Gruyter’s 2022 catalog is now available on This Academic Life website. Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.

https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2016/09/academic-conferences

Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Editing team:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Edited by Angella Chen
Edited by Jared Duffy
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
1min
July 06, 2022Ep.36 – Lecturers in Academia
In this episode, we discuss with Dr. Aleeta M. Powe, an associate professor of instruction in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Louisville, on the challenges and needs that lecturers face in academia.

Reference list:

Sponsor: De Gruyter: This episode is sponsored by De Gruyter and its portfolio in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. For “Students and Researchers in Mathematics” De Gruyter’s 2022 catalog is now available on This Academic Life website. Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.

Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Editing team:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Edited by Angella Chen
Edited by Jared Duffy
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
31min
June 22, 2022Ep.35 – Turning in Final Grades
Episode Notes
In this episode, we talk about instructors’ stresses when turning in those final grades. As we wind down the semester, it is time to see if all of your lecture preparation, classroom demonstrations, careful selection of homework questions, creation of in-class quizzes, and your best science jokes have paid off - it is time to “Turn in Those Grades.”

Reference list:

Sponsor: De Gruyter: This episode is sponsored by De Gruyter and its portfolio in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. For “Students and Researchers in Mathematics” De Gruyter’s 2022 catalog is now available on This Academic Life website. Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.

Cast list:
Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
Prof. Pania Newell (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Editing team:
Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
Edited by Angella Chen
Edited by Jared Duffy
Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)
Support This Academic Life by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/this-academic-life
...more
26min

FAQs about This Academic Life:

How many episodes does This Academic Life have?

The podcast currently has 104 episodes available.