Science is often presented as something distant. Something that starts after a PhD, funding, or the "right" connections. But it doesn’t. I’ve put together a short presentation on how research actually begins – with a simple moment: "I don’t understand this."
👉 https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.23368.69126
#OpenScience #Research #EarlyCareerResearchers #PhD #AcademicLife #Science #HigherEducation #AI #Zotero #OpenAlex
Many scientists spend years optimizing experiments, papers and grants… while quietly running another long-term experiment: life itself.
A thoughtful reflection on mid-career research, leadership and balancing family with academia.
🔗 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00195-7
#AcademicLife #ResearchCulture #MidCareer #ScienceCareers #HigherEducation
Dark islands drift by,
Washed in gray, so far away,
Fading like a sigh.
#haiku #mediterranean #croatia #dubrovnik #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephoto #photography #bokeh #landscape #seascape #clouds #blackandwhitephotography #academiclife
Philosophy Departments Conclude Spring Colloquia, Debate Lingers
Philosophy departments at Stanford, Columbia, and Purdue finished their 2026 spring colloquia. Learn which academic topics were discussed this year.
#philosophy, #universitynews, #academiclife, #spring2026, #highereducation
https://newsletter.tf/us-university-philosophy-spring-colloquia-2026/
Major US universities concluded their philosophy lecture series this May. These events hosted scholars from across the country to debate logic and social issues.
#philosophy, #universitynews, #academiclife, #spring2026, #highereducation
https://newsletter.tf/us-university-philosophy-spring-colloquia-2026/
Bright sea through the trees,
Hard to stand and turn away,
Home comes way too soon.
#Mediterranean #Haiku #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #dubrovnik #Photography #ESWC2026 #seascape #academiclife
Bought a new webcam. Now I have to shave before every online lecture...
In recent years, there has been a growing dialogue surrounding the challenges and realities of pursuing a Ph.D. and a career in academia. This conversation, drawing from insightful personal anecdotes and broader industry observations, underscores several critical issues within the academic landscape that are giving rise to disillusionment among Ph.D. students and recent graduates. The Prolonged Path and Opportunity Costs One primary concern revolves around the extended time commitment required to complete a Ph.D., which can often stretch to six or more years. This period is marked by grueling work and, frequently, disheartening experiences linked to supervisory practices and institutional demands. During this time, Ph.D. candidates are expected to cultivate deep expertise in their chosen fields, akin to an apprenticeship, which although valuable, comes at a significant personal and financial opportunity cost. Many lament the low stipends that barely cover living expenses, especially when contrasted with potential earnings in industry positions. This financial strain is compounded by the fact that, despite the advanced skills acquired, job prospects post-graduation remain uncertain.
Finished preparing slides for friday and saturday lectures just in time.
Feels like paving the way while running on it every time.
For a change of perspective…
#dubrovnik #blackandwhitephotography #Photography #ESWC2026 #blackandwhite #seascape #academiclife
Serhii Nazarovets
LeidenForce
Harald Sack
NewsletterTF
Christian Lins
Eliza Ng