Academic career advice

Tips and resources to help you build a successful career in academia. From skills development during your PhD to preparing for a role in university administration, all academic career steps are covered. Here, you will find advice on promoting your work, growing your professional reputation and developing collegiate networks to support your academic career progression - or to help you move into industry.

Growing into an academic leadership role

What qualities in new faculty members predict success in academic administrative leadership? Here, William Owen explores the traits that can see junior faculty transition effectively into more senior roles

William J. Owen

University of Northern British Columbia

How to be visible as an academic

Working hard and taking on extra responsibilities isn't enough to guarantee career development these days. You also have to build your profile

Rushana Khusainova

The University of Bristol

Neurodivergent leadership potential concept illustration

‘It just isn’t safe to disclose’

Neurodiverse academics face real and significant barriers to achieving positions of educational leadership. Here are considerations for universities to make promotion more equitable

Adrian J. Wallbank, Andrew Page-Towers

Oxford Brookes University

Five tips for embedding a team member into a newly created role

How do you make sure a new recruit feels at home at your university, beds into the department and feels they have a place at the table? Here, Alexandra Head shares advice from her experience

Alexandra Head

University of Southampton

A magnifying glass searches out a wooden figure in a collection

Recruit your next president using the forensic model

In their new book ‘The New College President: How a Generation of Diverse Leaders is Changing Higher Education’, Terrence J. MacTaggart and Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran offer their step-by-step guide to finding the strongest non-traditional presidential candidates

Terrence J. MacTaggart, Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran

Association of Governing Boards

Students at an employability event at university

Empowering international students for global career success

Supporting our students to prosper and thrive is not only beneficial to them but also to the broader community

Alex Fenton, Trevor Omoruyi

University of Chester

Older woman talking to young woman in a professional setting, mentoring

Are you ready to be an invested mentor?

The ‘invested mentor’ model takes mentorship beyond process and logistics. In this model, an effective relationship is based on connection rather than formalities with a mentor who prioritises their mentee’s success

Rebecca Taylor

University College Birmingham

How to enhance teaching skills in a multidisciplinary environment

Technical challenges as well as the personal demands that teachers face make support programmes at higher education institutions all the more important. Here’s how self-paced, modular training can boost teacher engagement and student satisfaction

Borbála Kozma

Semmelweis University

A group of people work around an office table

Create healthy relationships between faculty members for the benefit of everyone

When staff members at an institution work together amicably, student performance improves, a collaborative environment forms and the academic community is made even stronger. Here’s how to do it

Rania Shalaby

Dubai Medical University

Couple in dual career concept illustration

What can universities do to support academic couples?

What elements can make a university stand out as being partner-friendly? Here are ways for institutions to support academics in dual-career partnerships – and boost their ability to attract and retain the best talent

Torin Monahan, Jill A. Fisher

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Campus talks: how to prepare for university leadership

Middlesex University vice-chancellor Shân Wareing talks about the need to make the path to senior roles transparent and why confidence is not the be-all and end-all of leadership

Shân Wareing

Middlesex University

A group of people brainstorm around an office table

Ten tips when building a centralised evaluation unit

How can we establish and develop evaluation activities to show what support and interventions affect the student experience, as well as their learning, outcomes and destinations?

Steve Briggs, Diana Pritchard, Sibel Kaya

University of Bedfordshire

Blocks joined with string networking concept

How a strong network can enhance the PhD journey

Connections and collaborations can help PhD students (and their supervisors) cut through the isolation of research. Here’s how to leverage those links into employability

Meghan Casey , Andrew Barton , Madhu Chetty , Rose Ferguson

Federation University Australia , Australian Catholic University

A group of people work in a room full of books

Tips for moving from learning designer to educational leader

Learning designers have all the skills to make great leaders. Here’s how to transition into the role

Paul Moss, Richard McInnes, Simon Marek

Adelaide University

A PhD graduate in cap and gown stands with her back to the camera

Five ways to connect PhD students with industry

Developing industry experience is often the last thing on the minds of the PhD community, but nurturing partnerships between academia and industry can enrich the journey, believes Maria-Christina Vogkli

Maria-Christina Vogkli

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Streamlining a move from a faculty position to a leadership role

Moving into a leadership role at an academic institution includes setting ambitious goals around collaboration and finding solutions to worldwide challenges. These techniques can support leadership success

Brian Lattimer

Virginia Tech

How to become a university administrator – and why you should

Many career paths lead towards administration. Arina Ziganshina draws on her own experiences to offer advice

Arina Ziganshina

Dubai Medical University

21st-century skills for HE teachers

As teachers, we should continue to learn and reflect to equip ourselves with the skills, knowledge, expertise and other characteristics to cope with the complex and dynamic changes and challenges ahead of us, writes Adrian Man-Ho Lam

Adrian Man-Ho Lam

The University of Hong Kong

Walking the tightrope towards tenure

Achieving a permanent academic position requires a deft juggle of research, teaching and service. Here, Cheong Fan offers advice on how to keep your balance

Cheong Fan

Macau University of Science and Technology

Are you ready to manage?

Management in higher education is rewarding, but managing people is not an easy task. It takes commitment and genuine passion to develop and empower people to achieve their very best, writes Colleen Robinson-Hunte

Colleen Robinson-Hunte

The University of the West Indies

A shy owl peeks from a hollowed-out tree trunk

An introvert’s guide to networking

For academics, networking can greatly enhance your career. But if the very idea fills you with dread, Yalinu Poya offers her advice for putting yourself out there

Yalinu Poya

University of the West of Scotland

Bridging the communication gap between administrators and faculty

Academics who understand the needs and priorities of administrative staff will work more effectively – and vice versa. Everybody wins, writes Catherine Léglu

Catherine Léglu

University of Luxembourg

Interviewees lining up for their appointments

How to do self-promotion without the cringe factor

Some recoil at the idea of self-promotion but it’s not all about bragging or stepping over other colleagues to get ahead, writes Shilpa Gopal

Shilpa Gopal

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

A woman waves to others over a video call

Master the art of online and in-person interviewing

Interviewing experts is a key part of scientific research, so it’s important to hone your skills. Mahra Haitham Al Hosani and Mariam Shadan provide eight tips – and three things to avoid

Mahra Haitham Al Hosani, Mariam Shadan

Dubai Medical University

Young Asian woman greeting friend at cafe

Informal networking and how to meet people on campus

Belonging is not just a result of being in a place – nor it is the sole preserve of students. For university faculty, it comes from chance encounters, small gestures and stepping outside your comfort zone, writes Glenn Fosbraey

Glenn Fosbraey

University of Winchester

Four ways to engage students in blogging

Enrich the conversational scholarship of blogging by including student voices. Anna D’Alton offers her tips

Anna D’Alton

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Campus webinar: Recruit, develop and retain the best staff in higher education

Join three experts from Campus+ institutions in the UK, Europe and Asia as they discuss best practices for universities for identifying, hiring and developing the best people

H. C. Man, Inês Crisóstomo , Helen Ashley

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, University of Luxembourg, The University of Manchester

Panel job interview with young female candidate

How do universities successfully recruit faculty and staff?

Grounding hiring processes in the principle of “shared governance” is essential for successful recruitment outcomes, writes Norma Bouchard. Here, she offers 11 examples of best practice for hiring top candidates at a university

Norma Bouchard

Chapman University

A pin stuck in a calendar on a date that reads: "Write your thesis!"

One thesis, two supports, three months

Completing a thesis within 12 weeks may seem impossible, but by combining AI and your supervisor’s expertise, it can be done. Mariam Shadan shows how

Mariam Shadan

Dubai Medical University

Can well-being programmes attract world-class talent to an institution?

Aside from competitive compensation, research support and faculty development, how can a university attract the best faculty candidates? Ron Fricker outlines two programmes that meet the recruitment challenge head-on

Ron Fricker

Virginia Tech

The vital role of a faculty senate in higher education

In the intricate ecosystem of a university, the faculty senate allows for democratic governance and academic integrity. Here, Joseph S. Merola explains why establishing this body is not an option but an imperative

Joseph S. Merola

Virginia Tech

An illustration of a man watering a plant growing from his head

How to develop a researcher mindset as a PhD student

Entering the postgraduate sphere is a whole new ball game. Shaif Uddin Ahammed shows how to hone a PhD mindset

Shaif Uddin Ahammed

University of the West of Scotland

The secrets to success as a provost

What does this multifaceted job entail and what qualities do you need to do it well? Steve McLaughlin decodes one of higher education’s most mysterious roles

Steven W. McLaughlin

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Group of professional people in a meeting

Confessions of an Athena Swan chair

Serving on an EDI or gender-equity committee can be not only rewarding but strategic for the advancement of your professional journey, writes Jana Sadeh. Here’s how to do it well, based on her experience

Jana Sadeh

University of Southampton

A professional giving a presentation in front of a seated audience

Follow these tips to get over your fear of public speaking

Anxiety over public speaking often prevents people from taking opportunities that may advance their careers. Here, Siguthani Bryan offers advice on how to move past it

Siguthani Bryan

The University of the West Indies

Young man having stressful job interview

How not to land a job in academia

Not interested in teaching? Check. No publications? Check. Not keen to offer service? Check. Flip this list of what not to do in applying for jobs for tips to help secure that academic position

David Waller

University of Technology Sydney

Addressing the leaky pipeline in academia: strategies to attract and retain women scientists

Attracting more female researchers is one part of the work towards gender equity in science. Here, Anna Ginès i Fabrellas offers four actions to support women pursuing academic careers

Anna Ginès i Fabrellas

Esade

Two people address a crowd; a display with pie charts is behind them

Four ways to defeat public speaking anxiety

Even experienced academics can get anxious before public speaking. Fikrican Kayıkçı suggests four ways to approach speeches with confidence

Fikrican Kayıkçı

Near East University

Taming anxiety around public speaking

Public speaking is a skill that inspires dread in many: fear of judgement, of making mistakes, of facing unpredictable circumstances. Here, Patty Raun draws on her experience as an actor to share tips for quelling the anxiety

Patricia Raun

Virginia Tech

Practical ways to ease presentation nerves

One way to offset public-speaking anxiety is to have confidence in your presentation. Brandi Quesenberry shares the keys to making your presentation shine and ensuring that it is memorable, impactful and successful

Brandi Quesenberry

Virginia Tech

The everyday tools you can use to alleviate public speaking anxiety

Research shows that people regard death as less terrifying than public speaking. Thomas Duke offers three ways to speak with confidence

Thomas Duke

Nazarbayev University

Flip the script on criticism

Criticism is a part of academic life, but you can reframe your perspective to embrace feedback constructively. Tan Xiang Ren offers advice

Tan Xiang Ren

Singapore Institute of Technology

Woman sitting at her laptop with her head in her hands

Playing the promotion game: how to navigate upshifting

Done well, upshifting helps you to gain experience and develop capabilities that support your career development and promotion prospects, write educators at the University of Bristol

Rushana Khusainova, Rachael Lamb, Nicki Newman

The University of Bristol

Effective public-speaking techniques for university faculty

University faculty need public-speaking skills when they seek to engage students, collaborate with colleagues, secure funding and further their careers. Patty Raun leverages her skills as a stage actor to help higher education professionals improve their presentation chops

Patricia Raun

Virginia Tech

A woman makes a speech, talking into a microphone and using a laser pointer

Banish nerves and tap into the excitement of public speaking with these five tips

Public speaking is a key part of academic life. But how to overcome your nerves and actually enjoy it? Ayten Erçoban Evren offers advice

Ayten Erçoban Evren

Near East University

Aiming for tenure? Enhance your research’s visibility

By enhancing your networking skills and increasing the visibility of your work, you can demonstrate value to your institution and improve your chances of achieving tenure

Abhishek S Rao K P

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

How to manage parental leave for university staff

Parental leave presents challenges for the parent and the workplace, writes Judith Lock. Here are some dos and don’ts for before, during and after the leave period that aim to smooth the return to work and fix academia’s leaky pipeline

Judith Lock

University of Southampton

Four ways to weave job skills teaching into the university experience

With research finding a hefty proportion of graduates underemployed, what can higher education do to improve career readiness? Erica Estes and Sean O’Keefe offer advice

Erica Estes, Sean O'Keefe

University of Arkansas

Two female colleagues discussing some work over a laptop

Eight ways to be a better leader in higher education and beyond

Being brave enough to make decisions without worrying about failure is important. Lead the way and you can inspire and develop your team, writes Padma Rani

Padma Rani

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

A group of researchers discusses a prototype

How to balance teaching and research

As an early-career academic, how can you juggle teaching and researching while also prioritising self-care? Callum Russell shares his reflections on striking a balance

Callum Russell

University of the West of Scotland

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