5 Biggest Mistakes Conference Attendees Make
1. Trying to do too much At every conference, there will be so much to do that it can be easy to become overwhelmed. Between keynote talks, regular talks, poster presentations, workshops, and social events, it's hard to keep up with everything. Trying to attend absolutely all of it will only leave you tired and stressed, so be selective with which sessions you will attend. Get a copy of the conference timetable before you leave home – you can usually download the timetable from the conference's website – and go through it and highlight sessions that you absolutely want to attend. Check for any clashes and prioritise the sessions which will give your information that you won't be able to get elsewhere. Once you've chosen your sessions, plan out your time so that you can get to each one. And don't forget – at big conferences, it can take some time to move between sessions, so make sure to leave some travel time in your plan. 2. Attending only academic events or only social events When you're choosing the sessions to attend, it can seem sensible to focus just on the academic sessions which will give you information directly relevant to your research. Conversely, some people would much rather attend the fun social events and parties than the academic talks. But in fact, either of these approaches is a mistake. The value in a conference is in both hearing about new academic work, and getting to know fellow researchers in a social context. Therefore, you want to balance your conference program so that it includes both talks and social events to get the most from your conference experience. Consider attending 4-6 sessions during the day, then 1-2 social events in the evenings to achieve a good balance. 3. Partying too hard in the evenings On the subject of social events, it can be tricky to navigate the social norms of conference events. Often, events will have a relaxed party vibe and may include a large amount of alcohol, sometimes even an open bar. But beware! While there's nothing wrong with having a drink or two in the evening, drinking to excess is a mistake. Not only will being too drunk make you look unprofessional, but you'll also be hungover the next morning and not get the most out of the sessions that you attend. Remember that you'll need to get up early and be productive the next day, so take it easy in the evenings and don't party too hard. 4. Not being technologically prepared for a presentation If you're giving a talk at a conference, you've probably spent a lot of time preparing your material, making your slides, and practising your presentation. But one aspect which conference attendees often forget about presenting is the technological factor. If you're using slides, then you'll need a computer and a projector or display which is compatible. The venue should provide these things, but you need to ensure that your material is in a compatible format. There can be problems, for example, with using Microsoft Office files on a Mac computer, or in connecting a computer with only VGA outputs to a projector which only takes HDMI inputs. If you're presenting, make sure that you check whether your materials will work, preferably at least a day before your presentation. That way, if you do have problems, you have enough time to contact the technical support department or to find the adaptors which you will need. Then when you come to present, everything will be smooth and ready to go. 5. Leaving no time to explore the city the conference is held in Finally, remember that a conference is not only an academic experience - it is also a chance for you to travel: to see new places, experience a different culture, and to learn more broadly. So try to set aside half a day or so to explore the place in which the conference is held. Conferences are often held in major cities, so there will be historical sites, tourist attractions, and restaurants and cafes for you to explore. If you can, arrive at the conference a day early or leave a day late and give yourself a bit of time to enjoy your travels as well as learning from the conference.
Make your conference experience better by avoiding these five common mistakes:
Professors Think That Academic Publications Are Much More Relevant For Their Employability Than Their Teaching Skills
The INOMICS Salary Survey asked Assistant, Associate and Full Professors for their opinions as to what they thought were the most relevant academic characteristics that justified a higher salary in academia. The Survey has attempted to answer the general question often posed by potential academic job applicants, as to which skills, qualities and achievements will justify and bring about a higher salary. One’s educational level was seen as most important in Asia and North America, suggesting a more rigid, defined and traditional university and academic hierarchy in these regions. Further, Asia placed last in terms of the importance it gave to academic publications whilst placing the most importance of the group sampled, on language ability. This may be an indicator that Asian Professors view their roles perhaps, as much more instructional and indicative of status, rather than as a practical tool for the furtherance of development in a given field. Interestingly, across all levels of Professors, student evaluation is not considered to play an instrumental role in the justification of higher salaries. The competence of Professors based on academic publications is seen to be the main justification for higher salaries. This suggests that for Professors, research ability is far more important than pedagogical skills. The INOMICS Salary Report also includes skills and experiences justifying higher salaries in the private sector, answered by senior and mid-level respondents. To learn more about worldwide salary by gender and region, please visit this page to download the full report for free. Information in the graph is based on the INOMICS Salary Report 2016. The report reflects job market and salary trends for economists, ranging from those just starting their Master’s to those working as senior professors or researchers in academia and the private sector. Key findings include: ✓ Professors consider research publications more relevant for their employability than teaching skills. ✓ The gender pay-gap for economics professors at North American universities seems to have narrowed to the point of non-existence. If anything, female academics seem to earn slightly more than their male counterparts. ✓ Salary is not a primary motivator, although it has a demotivating effect if too low. ✓ A higher salary is considered as more important in some regions, for example in Asia, especially among people working outside of academia.
The world of academia is constantly changing, so much so that the importance to Professors, of different academic and career achievements, is shifting in ways that may be somewhat unexpected.
10 New Year's Resolutions for an Economics Student
1. I will try to stay up to date on world politics and the effect it has on global economics. Economics in the real world is intricately connected to politics, international relations, and sociology. To be the best economics student, you need to stay updated on global political events, so make a point of regularly reading newspapers, websites, or magazines. 2. I will read up on related fields like finance, business, and psychology. Keep expanding your mind and learning more from fields which are related to economics. It is both interesting and valuable to understand how one discipline affects work in another. 3. I will think about the transferable skills I am learning and identify areas where I need to learn more. When it comes to career success, it's not just good grades that you need to consider. Think about what jobs you'd like to do in the futue, and what skills you would need for them. Then consider the skills you're learning (like programming, presentation, writing, and so on) and which skills you still need to work on. 4. I will work on my mathematical and data analysis skills. Talking of skills, remember that data analysis is an important part of economics which students often struggle with. Especially if you're not terribly mathematically inclined, put aside some time to work on your data analysis so you can approach this area of your studies with more confidence. 5. I will start looking for internships or jobs as soon as possible. If you need to complete an internship as part of your degree, or if you're nearing the end of your studies and are thinking about your next steps, then it will help to get started hunting for positions early. Internships can be filled as early as 6 months before they start, so if you need to land a position then the sooner you start looking, the better. 6. I will arrive on time to all my classes, and I will listen attentively during class. Not only is this polite to your lecturers and fellow students, but it will also be good practice for the working world where you'll need to be on time. 7. I will participate in debates and discussions within classes and outside of them, and I will seriously consider opposing viewpoints. When you first start debating in class it can seem like the point is to “win” - to show that you're right and to persuade other people. But in fact you can learn even more from discussions but really trying to listen to and understand opposing view points. 8. I will plan out my assignments in advance and hand them in on time. Everyone finds it stressful to have to complete essays or to take written exams, but you can make the experience easier for yourself if you start preparing in plenty of time. Give yourself a month to work on your essay or exam revision and you'll learn more and feel less stressed than if you leave it until the last minute. 9. I will attend a conference, workshop, or public lecture in my field. One of the best ways to hear about the latest work in your field and to meet other academics is to attend events like conferences, workshops, or lectures, so don't miss out on these opportunities. 10. I will look for grants or scholarships which I could apply for, for added financial security and as a boost for my CV. It's always helpful to have more sources of funding, and being awarded a grant or scholarship will make you stand out when applying for jobs or further study.
Now it's time to start looking ahead to the new year and thinking about what you want to achieve. For economics students, we've got suggestions for 10 new year's resolutions which will help to make your studies more engaging, less stressful, and more rewarding.
1. The conference program You'll probably be given a program for the conference when you arrive to register, and it will include a list of the talks and poster presentations that will be held, abstracts for each, and information on some of the key event organisers. You might also find details of social events, workshops, or other related events which are happening over the conference. This program is incredibly useful, so keep it with you at all times. However, if you lose it, it's not the end of the world – there's usually an online version of the program available on the conference website too. 2. The conference timetable In addition to the conference program, or sometimes included within it, you should find a timetable which lays out exactly when and where each talk or event is happening. With multiple overlapping sessions happening throughout the conference, the timetable will help you to plan which talks you want to see. Get a highlighter and mark your must-see events on the timetable so you can be sure not to miss them. 3. Your conference badge You should receive a badge at registration too, which will show your name and university affiliation. This badge is important for several reasons – firstly, it allows you access to the conference events and spaces, and secondly, it lets everyone know who you are and helps them remember your name. Put your badge on a lanyard or clip it to your clothes and make sure you always have it with you. 4. Your laptop Obviously it's useful to have a computer and phone with you, and most conferences will have free wi-fi so you can back up your notes or download any information that you need. Do bring along a laptop sleeve or padded bag to keep your computer in so that it won't get too banged about during travel. 5. A notepad and pens A notebook? Why would you want paper when you have a laptop? Well, often you might need to scribble down a quick note while you're on the go, and it's a pain to have to pull out a computer and boot it up. Keep a small pad and a pen in your pocket to keep track of little titbits of information as you go about the conference. 6. A map of the city Once again, when it comes to navigating around an unfamiliar city, then paper really is better than electronic. Find a fold-out map of the local area and mark on it your hotel and the conference location, to be sure that you can always find your way around. 7. A public transport map Similarly, if you're planning to use local buses, trains, or trams, then it'll help to have a transport map that you can consult to know which interchanges to use and which stops to get off at. 8. A tourist guide book Hopefully you'll have a bit of time off from the conference to explore the local area and see some of the sights. Even if you've already planned out your sight seeing trips before you leave, it can help to have a guide book with you to suggest restaurants or other places to eat while you're on the go. 9. Appropriate clothing and outerwear We've previously written advice for you on what to wear for conferences, so you should have no problem picking out some appropriate outfits. Chuck some casual clothes in your bag too for travelling in, and do think about weather-appropriate outerwear, like a raincoat if it's likely to be wet wherever you are, or a thick warm coat if you know it's going to be cold. 10. A bottle of water Finally, you'll be working hard and travelling a lot during a conference, so remember to stay hydrated. Keep a bottle of water with you and drink plenty of it to make sure that you stay fit and healthy during your trip.
When you're packing for a conference, there are some essentials to bring along that will make your life much easier. Check out our list of these items below and make sure you have them in your bag so your conference trip is as smooth as possible.
Top 10 Christmas Gifts For Economics University Teachers
INOMICS and our parent company 11 Academia Networks are Amazon Associates, meaning we are a part of their affiliate program. This article contains affiliate links from them and other partners, which means we may earn money through any qualifying purchases made after you click through. However, this is not a sponsored post. 1. Monopoly The absolute classic gift for an economist is the Monopoly board game, which was designed to explain trades and property acquisition to children. Who doesn't love a good board game? Just don't blame use if it causes drama over Christmas... 2. GDP: keep it real magnets Give these magnets to your teacher so they can show off their nerdy sense of humour. With the formula for GDP written right there, they can refer to a nation's GDP every time they open their fridge. 3. Can You Outsmart an Economist? - Puzzle Book Do you know an economics teacher who can't resist a challenge (i.e. probably any economist). Then give them this econ-flavoured puzzle book. 4. One year's access to The Economist digital archive The Economist is a beloved publication which is known for some of the best coverage of business, finance, and politics. But its historical archives are a wealth of fascinating information too. Gift your favourite teacher with a year's access to The Economist's digital archive and they'll have interesting material to read all year long. 5. First class economics teacher mug Of all the economics teachers you could have ended up with, you got one who's really great, right? That's why you want to buy them a gift! So show your appreciation with any one of these witty economics teacher mugs. 6. Trust me, I'm an economist apron In times of uncertainty and doubt, who should you turn to? An economist, of course! That's the basis of this “Trust me, I'm an economist” shirt. 7. Macroeconomics reference guide poster For a slightly more sensible present which would be practical and useful for an economics teacher, this laminated poster lays out the basic principles of macroeconomics and would make a great addition to any economics classroom. 8. Supply and demand throw pillow For something on the more fun and silly end of the presents scale, here's a pillow which helpfully charts out the relationship between supply and demand – so you can learn about basic economics principles while lying on the couch! 9. The Economist 2017 mini diary Another genuinely useful gift is this 2017 mini diary from The Economist. With special content like information on world populations, international dialling codes, and world hotels, it's the perfect gift for the economics professor who travels a lot. 10. Cold, hard cash You'll have to watch out with this one, lest your economics teacher thinks that you're offering them a bribe! But according to economics experts, by far the most efficient gift is cold, hard cash. It's not very festive though... If you're after more content for economists, like tips for economics students, careers advice, or notifications about the latest jobs and conferences in the field, then head to our website for all your economics needs!
Christmas is coming up soon, and you know what that means – it's time for Christmas shopping! If you're thinking about getting a present for your economics teacher at university, here are our suggestions for top gifts for them.
Tips For Students Attending Their First Academic Conference
Check the program before you leave Most conference organisers will put their programs online before the conference starts – sometimes even including timetables and abstracts of the talks and poster presentations which will be taking place. Take advantage of this and you can plan out sessions which you want to see before you even arrive. Check the program for familiar names, talks which are related to your project, or just abstracts which sound interesting to you. Then highlight the sessions you're interested in on the timetable so that you won't miss out on a session which you'd like to attend once you're there. Do try to talk to new people, even if you're feeling intimidated It can be intimidating talking to people at conferences – especially when everyone is much more senior than you and they all seem to know each other already. But you'll miss out on one of the biggest advantages of conferences – getting to know people and expanding your network – if you don't take the chance to talk to other attendees. Try asking questions at the end of talks, or talking to people who are giving poster presentations about their work. And do attend the social events such as the conference dinner, where socialising is the point of the event and so people will be happy to talk to you. Don't drink too much or party too hard That said, you will need to exercise some restraint when it comes to parties and other social events. There will often be a lot of alcohol available at these events – sometime for free – and it can be tempting to drink to help you loosen up and feel more sociable. But watch out, because it's not a good idea to overindulge at a conference. You need to maintain a professional bearing, especially if you're younger or more junior, and this is much harder when you've been drinking. Stick to a drink or two per night and you can avoid any embarrassing memories the next morning! Plan out your travel and tourism too If the conference you're travelling to is in a place which you haven't visited before, it will help to make plans in advance. Check out the details or the airport or train station you'll be arriving in, and know which connections you need to take and how to reach them. Make a note of any bus routes or train lines which you'll need to use while you're at the conference, and make sure you have a map with your hotel and the conference venue marked on it. Also, have a look to see what tourist attractions are available in the area, and give yourself an afternoon or two to explore the place you're visiting as well as working hard at the conference. Bring business cards if you have them, and a notebook You'll want to have a way of taking notes while you're at the conference. Of course, there might be data or ideas presented which are interesting to you for your research, and you should note these down. But more importantly, you want to keep a note of the email addresses or other contacts details for the people you meet. When you talk to someone who works in a related field to you, it's helpful to keep in contact with them so that you can expand your network. On that note, do bring along business cards if you have them, or offer to write down your email address for people if you don't. Finally, a great tip if you're presenting a poster or making a handout is to make sure that your email address is somewhere in the header or footer of the document, so people can contact you if they have any questions about your work.
Attending a conference for the first time can be both a lot of fun and a rather scary experience! So here are some tips for students attending their first conference, to make it as enjoyable and beneficial as possible.
5 Biggest Problems That Women Face At Academic Conferences
1. Being less likely to be accepted to present than men It's a sad fact that gender discrimination is still rife in academia, and conferences are no exception to this. Studies have found that submissions of papers to present at a conference were rated as less good when the author had an identifiably female name than when the same paper was submitted but no author name was given. The evidence suggests that this problem is particularly pronounced in fields which are more male-dominated. The lack of women presenting at conferences leads to a perception that there are no women working in the field, and this lack of representation is harmful to others, especially women who are just starting out in their careers. Some conferences now mandate a certain proportion of their speakers be women, to help mitigate this effect. 2. Being taken less seriously than men during discussions Another common finding of gender bias in conferences is regarding the amount of exposure which men and women get. Even when equal numbers of men and women are participating in a discussion, women speak for less time than men and are less likely to ask for longer time slots when they present. In fact, studies estimate that women spend about 20% less time talking than men do. This has broad implications for women in academia as it has been shown that exposure at conferences increases the visibility of a researcher's work, so women are missing out on the opportunity to boost their profile. 3. Issues with the dress code It may sound silly, but the expected standards of attire can pose a real problem for women at academic conferences. It's generally expected that people will dress a little more formally than usual for a conference, however, in lots of fields it's no big deal if a man chooses to wear casual clothes. For women, however, it's trickier. If a woman dresses in a casual way, she risks people assuming that she doesn't take her job seriously or that she's unprofessional. However, if she dresses up too much then people may judge her as shallow, vain, or out of touch. It's difficult for women to strike a balance where they are perceived as being dressed appropriately. The best way to deal with this is to observe the norms of the field and of the conference – what are other women wearing? - and then try to match your style to that. 4. Balancing social and professional responsibilities Academic conferences are important for career prospects, not just because you get to learn about the latest research and debate it with others in your field, but also because of the opportunities they present for networking and making social connections with other academics. As such, it's arguably just as important to go to the conference dinner as it is to attend the keynote lecture. So you need to be able to present yourself in social contexts as well as professional ones. Unfortunately, this is another area where women are judged more harshly than men – a woman who is not sociable enough is consider cold and distant, while one who is very friendly risks being labelled as flirtatious or ditzy. One way to combat this is to make an effort to talk to other women at social events and to support each other socially as well as professionally. 5. Sexual harassment It's an uncomfortable truth that sexual harassment of women at academic conferences continues to happen, and it is often severely under-reported and not taken seriously when it is reported. Experiencing or observing sexual harassment undermines women's confidence in their safety and comfort in academic settings, and can bring up feelings of inadequacy, betrayal, and loss of confidence. Some conferences are now instigating codes of conduct and anti-harassment policies to combat this problem. When conference organisers make clear what types of behaviour are unacceptable, it is easier for women to see clearly when they are being harassed. However, it's important that the system for reporting harassment at conferences is also made explicitly clear and is respected by all participants.
Attending conferences is an important part of any academic career. However, they can provide challenges that women in academia must overcome. Here are five of the biggest problems which women face at academic conferences.
Do's and Don'ts In Your College Freshman Year
DON'T mistake a friendly demeanour from your professors as an invitation to treat them casually. College lecturers and professors are often passionate about their subject and really enjoy teaching it to new students. They may be younger than you expect, and are sometimes more informal in their interactions with you than school teachers would be. Which is nice! But remember, you still need to behave professionally. It's fine to use first names for your lecturers if they allow it, for example, but it's not okay to send them drunk emails or to blow off their assignments. Find a balance between feeling comfortable and being professional. DO try taking a course in a subject you've never studied before. You might think that the best way to succeed at college is to focus on just the courses which are essential to your degree. And that's true, to some extent. But it's also incredibly useful, both in college and beyond, to have some experience with fields or subjects other than your major. Most colleges allow you to take a few optional courses from other subjects, and this is the perfect opportunity for you to learn about a new topic or find out more about a subject you've always been interested in. DON'T live in denial about your assignments and exams. When people around you seem to be having fun all the time and are very casual about their work, it can feel like everyone else is blowing off their assignments, so why shouldn't you do it too? But the truth is, if you ignore work which you have to do then it will just keep mounting up and causing you more stress. Know when your important assignments are due, and do a little bit of work towards them each day. You'll still have plenty of time for socialising and having fun, but you won't be stressed about looming deadlines. DO ask for help if you need it. Adjusting to college life is a huge change, both academically and socially. It's common for new students to struggle with how to manage their workloads, or with how to balance socialising and work. But there are resources which can help you. Firstly, talk to your fellow students about the problems you're having – it's very likely that some of them feel the same way, and they might have tips to help you. Also, if you are struggling with a particular class then talk to the professor about this during their office hours and they'll be able to suggest materials to catch you up. Finally, see if your college has a counselling department, a mentoring system, or a student support centre, where you can get help and guidance from experienced college staff. DON'T feel like you have to follow your original plan to the letter. Sometimes, you'll find that you are not enjoying studying a subject as much as you expected, or that you've chosen a course which is too advanced for your level of knowledge. You can't always know in advance if the choices you've made will work out well. So allow yourself to be flexible. Maybe you'd like to change your major, or to take a minor in a different subject. Or perhaps you need to drop a course and come back to it later, when you have more experience. These options are open to you if you feel like your current path is not working out. DO look after yourself and enjoy your college experience. College is a place for learning, yes, but it's also a place for you to grow as a person. Try out new things and go to new places. Also, remember to care for yourself by getting enough sleep and eating something healthy once in a while. Do go out and have fun, but don't try to party every night of the week.
DO get to know your dorm-mates and fellow students. College can be a scary place, socially speaking. But making friends and connections is as much a part of the college experience as academic achievement. Try new things, meet new people, and push yourself to try to make new friends. The secret is that everyone feels uncomfortable and shy when they first start college – you're not the only one!
Academizing During Your First Academic Conference
An academic conference is where scientists and other mostly sun-deprived* human beings dare to get out of their heavily neglected* workspaces in order to academize (*Regressions for these claims will soon be presented by Ruiz et al. under α<0.05 statistical significance). The goal is primarily to present your scientific results to a broad audience – beyond the usual four suspects, who will read your paper anyway – and to know the latest state of research: it wouldn’t be very funny if you invest a lot of time in writing a paper just to find out that someone just published the same thing, right? A: Preparation before the Conference Know your Discussant The panels usually consist of a few panelists (you?), a moderator, a discussant and a cheering audience. The discussant is supposed to have read all the presented papers and comments on all of the academic contributions after the presentations. This is very nice because you usually get a detailed and valuable feedback from an expert in your field. But, beware, there might also be some tough questions e.g. about your beloved methodology. It might pay to know the background of your discussant as he/she might be personally more interested in one aspect of your research. Don’t get Lost You should know university campuses by now: they tend to be big. So inform yourself in advance, where exactly you have to go. Might sound logical but sometimes university campuses are spread over a city or even way outside the city-walls. The chance that academics get helplessly lost seems to be significantly higher than for other control-groups. In the Beginning there was an Abstract Writing an abstract is an art in itself. But it seems that there is an inherent danger to promise too much for an upcoming research project and the subsequent paper. The Audience and the organizers have expectations! Summarizing the current state of research can without doubt be helpful for getting an overview of an unknown field – but it gets really interesting if the borders of science are expanded. Care for your Health Be prepared that provided food could consist of sandwiches and coffee only. B: During the Presentation The Questions are your Best Friends There are only good questions at an academic conference – almost. But do you have an equally qualitative answer? The input from the audience and the emerging academic conversations can bring your academic thinking light-years ahead. Stick to your Time Please. Nothing is more annoying that taking time of all the participants – public and panel alike. Be disciplined enough to not have the Chairwoman/Chairman open the toolbox of torture (ranging from pieces of paper with big remaining minute-numbers on it; aesthetic sounding bells or ring-tones; to just cutting off your microphone). Find your Presentation Style There are maybe as many ways to present as there are presenters: Some are rather shy and others like to literally jump up and down. I do not see anything wrong in personalizing your academic stringent content – as long as you communicate your key-messages clearly to your audience. Expect Social Interaction. Particularly, if your topic overlaps with the ones of other participant’s. C: Outside of the Presentation-Room Relativity-Theory The further you move away from the presentation room, the less people get interested in correlation coefficients to three digits after the coma. In particular, the so-called Einstein-Sandwich-Line marks the area where coffee-smell starts and hungry participants are less receptive for your latest research findings. High-level Guests are not Oracles It is a particular privilege at some conferences to listen to the invited high-level guests and even to be able to ask questions. However, keep in mind, that on the one hand too detailed, and on the other hand too political questions, are going to be answered in the same way: not satisfying for you. So ask instead something, where you think he/she has some realistic room to react, maybe to improvise, to elaborate and in the best case even to share his/her personal experience. Musical Chairs In the case that there is a dinner event, be fast at choosing your table when the seating is not set yet. This is a great opportunity to talk to someone you wouldn’t catch in your real life. Alternatively, to spend 3 hours hearing about new methods of measuring heteroscedasticity. Your choice. Pronunciation and Comprehension These are always issues in international environments with many non-native English speakers. In case someone tells you that he did not catch part of your phrase, it helps to rephrase your sentence differently instead of repeating the exact same sentence with the same tonality all over again. Beg your pardon? It helps to rephrase your sentence differently… Sorry, I didn’t catch you. IT HELPS TO REPHRASE… If the above tips didn’t help at all: just try to do everything in the exact opposite way that I did, and you should be fine. Happy academizing! Photo Credit: hikingartist.com
There was a certain naiveté in the air when I went to my first academic conference. I thought that all I would have to do is to write a decent paper and to present it to the public. In retrospect this could have ended badly and I wish someone had intercepted me on the way to the airport and given me some key-warnings to know in advance. Thus, after this multifaceted experience, I thought to write the following points in a humble and only half-serious manner.
There was a time when engineers and social scientists thought their fields were too different to combine their research (Black et al., 2010). Not that many years ago doctors and health researchers thought economists could not help them improve medical services; and of course which economist would have dared to claim that something they were working on could directly save people’s lives? (See for example: Jones, 1994; Philipson, 2001). Likewise, most neuroscientists never thought that their work could be used to explain consumer behaviour (Camerer et al., 2005), and mathematicians never thought that psychology could ever be related to their discipline (Ma and De la Torre, 2016). Now those times are gone and interdisciplinary research is highly recognised as a means to achieving successful and rich research outputs (HEFCE, 2015). This is reflected in the number of research centres that continue to release funding opportunities with a particular attention on interdisciplinary outputs within and across disciplines. To mention some examples: The National Science Foundation (NSF), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Centre for Copyright and New Business Models in the Creative Economy (CREATe), or the European Union (EU) research and innovation programme Horizon 2020. These funding opportunities and the final recognition of interdisciplinary research in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), which is so important to rank the research quality of UK institutions, have clearly increased collaboration across disciplines, not just in the academic environment but also in other institutions such as hospitals or government centres (Graph 1). In general, European countries have the highest percentage of international collaborative publications (HEFCE, 2015). A world with interdisciplinary collaboration may look easy and simple, but this is far from reality. Combining disciplines is risky and difficult. How can, for example, health researchers and economists work together? How can they understand one another when talking about numbers or diseases? For this understanding to happen they need a common instrument to work with, an easy and friendly tool that both disciplines can interpret, and one which can combine, in this example, disease information and data to draw conclusions in a manageable yet sophisticated format at the same time, and so satisfy both sides. One key breakthrough has been the development of statistical software and tools such as Stata, Eviews and GAUSS, to name but a few, which in recent years have enabled statisticians, economists and mathematicians to translate and present their work in a way which is understandable and useful for researchers in other disciplines. Such tools have been developed to the stage that they can be accessible enough and easy enough to learn that researchers and professionals without advanced statistical training can learn to use them with relatively little training, as a useful complement to their existing research tools. Research papers such as: Archer and Lemeshow, 2006; Norton et al., 2004; or Ho and Pennington-Cross, 2006 have shown that Stata is currently the most popular of such tools, and for many researchers acts as a language which different disciplines in effect use to communicate with each other (many more articles can be found as examples). Stata emerged in 1985 and since then has cemented its place in the market as a fast, accurate, and user-friendly statistical package which covers the necessities of a wide range of disciplines. From the simplest statistical analysis and graphs, to the most advanced econometric analysis, Stata is widely use in the areas of economics, political science, sociology, health, finance, etc. (https://www.stata.com). Tools like Stata have contributed to a major shift in the academic landscape in Europe and around the world, helping researchers in all disciplines to benefit from solid statistical analysis and supporting researchers in economics, statistics and mathematics to cooperate with professionals in fields that traditionally might have avoided detailed quantitative analysis in research projects. If you have used Stata or other tools in a cross-discipline project, please share your experiences in the comments below. If you have not, then perhaps it is time to try and strengthen your own research through cooperation with your peers in other disciplines! References Archer, K. J., and Lemeshow, S. (2006). “Goodness of fit test for a logistic regression model fitted using survey sample data, Stata Journal, 6(1). Black, D., Clemmensen, N. J., and Skov, M. B. (2010). “Pervasive computing in the supermarket: designing a context aware shopping trolley”, International Journal of Mobile Human Computing Interaction, 2(3). Camerer, C., Loewenstein, G., and Prelec, D. (2005). “Neouroeconomics: How neuroscience can inform economics”, Journal of Economic Literature, 43: 9-64. Higher Education Funding Council for England. (2015). “A review of the UK’s interdisciplinary research using a citation-based approach”, ELSEVIER. URL: https://www.hefce.ac.uk/media/HEFCE,2014/Content/Pubs/Independentresearch/2015/Review,of,the,UKs,interdisciplinary,research/2015_interdisc.pdf Ho, G., and Penington-Cross, A. (2006). “The impact of local predatory lending laws on the flow of subprime credit”, Journal of Urban Economics, 60(2): 210-228. Jones, A. M. (1994). Health, addiction, social interaction, and the decision to quit smoking”, Journal of Health Economics, 13(1): 93-110. Ma, W., and De la Torre, J. (2016). “A sequential cognitive diagnosis model for polytomous responses”, British Journal of Mathematica and Statistical Psychology, 69(3): 253-275. Norton, E. C., Wang, H., and Ai, C. (2004). “Computing interactions effects and standard errors in logit and probit models, Stata Journal, 4(2): 154-167. Philipshon, T. (2001). “The world-wide growth in obesity: an economic research agenda”, Health Economics, 10(1): 1-7.
By Sofia Izquierdo-Sanchez University of Huddersfield Timberlake Consultants
Econometrics, Statistics and Quantitative Methods (JEL C)
2016 Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Oliver Hart and Bengt Holmström
This year’s laureates have worked extensively on the construction of a clearly defined and detailed regulatory rubric for determining, among other things, the method of reward for company executives and further analysis of the privatization of public companies or even entire public sectors, whether in whole or in part. The new theoretical tools developed by Hart and Holmström are valuable to understand real-life contracts and institutions as well as potential pitfalls in contract design. Holmström in his work has stressed the nexus between performance and compensation in the context of the employment contract, and the need for these two factors to be directly proportional. Hart’s research has delved into the realm of inchoate contracts and the need to have an open approach to them while maintaining a firm grasp on the rules governing such situations. This illuminates a clear path not to the precise outcome but rather to the method of determining a specific outcome in a general situation, the eventualities of which cannot be ascertained previously. You can access the announcement of the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in economic sciences in memory of Alfred Nobel 2016 here. If you are interested in reading about last year’s winners, take a look at this blog post on the 2015 Nobel Prize recipients and their work. Photo Credit: Flickr <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sol_invictus/5087225271/in/photolist-8KxmQx-qApvcH-8KAq8s-4K47-8R8ZAP-8KAuu5-8Rc7oo-8KAuoN-8KxpdK-8KAsYo-8KAsUh-5caW-8KAs6J-8KAt35-8KxpoK-8KAsvW-8KxnFa-8KAt8h-8KAr2C-dA42aH-69sZYe-8fQtNB-dA42dM-5HL3a3-8KAqyy-8KArkG-99uBDT-8KArfj-8KAqWY-dA42gx-8Kxpjc-8KAuzy-71M4R8-dA42ok-2GMWcW-8KAtxy-dA426P-8Kxojk-dA41Zx-4yRNJ8-dA4244-2jhzcZ-aeNaTE-4RfT-8KAthm-8HZBYC-qecmE-69t4oP-aUhjDc-8KxqBa">@Solis Invicti (published under CC BY 2.0)
This year, the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2016 has been awarded to both Oliver Hart, Professor of Economics at Harvard University and Bengt Holmström, Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Nobel Prize in Economics was given to the Professors for their contributions to contract theory, as mentioned by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in their press release.
Women in Academia: 5 Steps To Your Career Success
Networking, mentorship, and support from other women Networking is an important skill for any academic, but for women it is particularly value as it gives you “behind the scenes” access to senior researchers, committees, and institutional decision makers. Keep an eye out for networking events – some universities will even have events or groups specifically for woman's networking – and take every chance to get to introduce yourself and get to know other women in your field. The support you can receive from other women isn't just about career prospects, it can also be useful to hear about the obstacles and problems that other women have faced and how they overcame them. Look out for mentorship schemes and other programs designed to bring you into contact with academics in different stages of their careers. Promote yourself One important skill you will need to learn as a woman in academia is self-promotion. Academics are often uncomfortable with blowing their own horns, and women especially so, as it can feel like you are being arrogant or too forward. However, if you don't promote yourself, it's unlikely that anyone else will do it for you! You don't have to be arrogant or pushy, but make sure that you get credit for your work, such as making sure that you name is on an important report which you have written. If someone mentions a topic in your area of expertise, say that it's your field and be confident in positioning yourself as an expert. Finally, feel free to mention papers or books which you have written on a topic when it comes up in conversation. Putting yourself forward in these ways might feel awkward at first, but it will help your career for other people to see and acknowledge your expertise. Watch out for imposter syndrome Imposter syndrome is the name given to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity which are found even among highly successful women. Even when women have a proven track record of success in their jobs, they may feel like they don't really deserve the recognition that they get, and that other people will see through them and expose them as inadequate for their jobs: They feel like imposters in their own fields. This syndrome is shockingly common in academia, with women often privately remarking that they are not up to standard. One of the ways to combat this syndrome is just to be aware of it, and to remember that when you start to doubt yourself or your abilities that this is not necessarily reflective of reality, and that it is something which many other women struggle with too. Family friendliness A big problem for women in lots of careers including academia is the degree of family-friendliness which their institutions provide. Some universities have very progressive policies regarding maternity and paternity leave and on-site childcare, while at other institutions new parents are left to fend for themselves. One big advantage of a career in academia is that flexible working hours are common – if you need to work 3 days a week, or to leave early to pick up a child from school, this is usually possible. Ask around about the family policies of your institution, and don't forget to talk to current parents working there for a real-world perspective on how the policies work out in practice. In fact, even if you don't plan to have a family, it's still useful to know this information as family-friendliness can be a good indicator of how women are treated in general at an institution. Pay it forward If you want to improve working conditions for women in academia, you can help by offering mentorship to women who are at an earlier stage of their career than you. If you can remember the frustrations and difficulties which you came across as a junior researcher, you may be well-positioned to help other women experiencing the same issues. Your university may have a women-specific mentoring program or a general mentoring program which you could offer your services for – but don't underestimate the power of informal mentoring too. Giving a few words of encouragement to junior women and sharing some of your knowledge and experience with them will not only help their careers, but it can help yours too. Being known as an expert who share their knowledge puts you in an excellent position, and the achievements of the women who you mentor will reflect well on you as well as helping them.
Despite great progress that has been made in recent years in making academia more friendly for women, it still remains hard for women to be accepted and to excel in many academic institutions. Many women in academia, especially those in male-dominated fields, report that they find it more difficult to be taken seriously and more difficult to get promotions to senior roles than the men in their departments. So what can you do to maximise your career prospects as a woman working in an academic setting? Here our our tips to help women achieve career success.
Attending An Academic Conference: 5 Tips To Consider
1. Choose the sessions you attend carefully You can't attend every session at a conference, and if you try to do too much you'll end up late, stressed, and too tired to participate properly. Check the conference program before you leave, and pick the essential sessions that you really want to participate in, then give these sessions your full attention. Write out your own schedule if you're very busy, with room numbers so you know where to go. In a large conference, focus on the particular topic or area which is of interest to you and try not to get distracted by all the other topics. Finally, try to make sure that you are getting a full 8 hours of sleep a night so that you're not too tired to participate in sessions. 2. Get to know the geographic area Academic conferences aren't just a place to find out about new research and to meet other academics – they're also a fun chance to see a new geographical area. Do a little research on the area before you attend a conference and get some ideas about attractions to visit, or places to eat and drink. Your conference experience will be much less stressful if you find out in advance about the transportation options and how to get between your hotel and the conference location! If you arrive the day before the conference starts, you can take some time to get to know the local area and ease yourself comfortably into the conference. Plus, if you're full of knowledge about local attractions then you'll always have something interesting to talk about with other attendees. 3. When presenting, tailor your material to your audience Whether you're giving a poster presentation or a talk, don't just repeat the same spiel that you always give to your department colleagues. You need to modify your material to suit the level of knowledge of the audience, as some people attending will be from a different field than you. It's okay to ask your audience how familiar they are with your topic - particularly when you're presenting a poster to a small group, this can help you to gauge the level of expertise which you should be pitching at. If you are giving a talk, don't go over your allocated time. Practise your talk and time yourself to make sure you're within the time limit, and remember that being a bit under time is fine, as it leaves more time for discussion. But going over time is frustrating to your audience, rude to the person presenting after you, and stressful for you. Cut your presentation down to the essentials, and don't waffle. Whenever you present, take notes of comments or questions which people ask afterwards. This can be an incredibly useful source of feedback regarding your research, but you'll need to write it down in order to remember it once you get home. 4. Talk to as many people as possible Conferences are fantastic places to network with other academics and researchers in your field. Get involved by asking questions after talks, contributing to discussions, and attending social events. You can learn about the latest not-yet-published research and meet people who might be able to contribute to your work in the future. Don't miss out on conference dinners or socials, as these events are where a lot of the networking happens. Polish up your elevator pitch – that is, a brief two sentence description of your research which you can share when people ask about your work. 5. Follow up Once you've done lots of networking and meeting people at a conference, follow up with them in the days after to solidify the connection. Also, remember to take some business cards with you to give out with your contact details on them so that people can get in touch with you if they have questions about your work. Finally, a great tip if you're giving a poster presentation is to make small A4 or A3 copies of your poster to hand out to people – and don't forget to include your contact details on it.
If you're attending an academic conference for the first time, it can be a rather overwhelming experience! Follow these five tips to make your conference trip as smooth and productive possible.
10 Things You Need To Know Before Starting Your Study In The Czech Republic
There are now 26 public, 2 state and 42 private higher education institutions offering a wide range of traditional as well as newly emerging disciplines. While the main tuition language is Czech, the range of programmes delivered in English is expanding and now counts about 1,000 accredited study programmes. Are you planning to study one of them? Then you might use some of our tips: 1. Apply for visa If you have been accepted for university studies in the Czech Republic and are from a country outside the EU, you have to turn to the local Czech embassy and apply for a student visa. There are short-term visas, long-term visas (for stays over 90 days) and long-term residence permits (for stays over one year). Registration at the Foreign Police Department is compulsory for all foreign nationals staying in the Czech Republic for more than 30 days. 2. Find a place to stay The majority of universities own its dormitories called “koleje”. Living in a dorm (around 120 EUR/month for a shared room) is a great way to get to know other people, as you will meet a lot of students from various backgrounds. If you prefer to live on your own, you can rent a flat or room in a shared flat (about 500-800 EUR/month for a 2–3 bedroom flat). It is common for international students to share bigger flats especially in the city centre. 3. Take care of your health Medical care in the Czech Republic is on a very good professional and technological level. Most medical facilities have a contract with an insurance company on provision and settlement of costs for healthcare. Students from the EU/EEA/Switzerland should apply for the free EU health insurance card. Other foreign students are required to purchase comprehensive health insurance coverage and will be asked to submit a proof of Czech health insurance when applying for visa. 4. Affordable costs While living standards are comparable with those in Western Europe, living costs in the Czech Republic are considered to be more affordable. The average living costs of students range from 350-750 USD/month, but prices vary according to your location, accommodation choices, lifestyle, and spending habits. Students can get many discounts with a student ISIC card usually issued by their university. 5. Working while studying Having a part-time job or summer work is very common. If you are enrolled in a full time accredited degree programme, you are allowed to work while studying, but please bear in mind that you are in the country with a visa for study purposes, therefore paid work cannot be your primary occupation during your stay. 6. No driving licence? No problem! Large cities have an efficient system of public transport using tram, bus, trolleybus or subway. If you are staying for longer, consider buying a long-term travel pass. Within the Czech Republic you can easily travel both by bus and train, as the country has one of the densest rail networks in Europe and an elaborate system of public bus transportation. 7. In the heart of Europe Studying in the Czech Republic puts you in the middle of Europe and you have a great chance to discover all European countries and places you might otherwise not have had the opportunity to visit. Take advantage of the Eurail train pass, low cost airlines or dense network of long distance buses and discover Europe in your free time! 8. Learning the language You can get around in English but some Czech language skills are always helpful and will make you feel more at home. Some Czech higher education institutions offer language courses for foreign students as well as full one year preparatory courses for those who wish to study in the Czech language. There are also many private language schools. 9. Czech cuisine Czech cuisine is famous for its meats, gravies, dumplings, soups and of course, the world famous beer. However, even as a veg lover you won’t go hungry. In the cities, you can find all sorts of cuisines and even typically Czech restaurants have learnt to include interesting vegetarian meals on their menus. 10. Prague is beautiful…but there is so much more to see! The Czech Republic has become a favourite tourist destination for many travellers who like wonderful fairy-tale castles and chateaux, world famous spas, unspoilt countryside with excellent national parks and conservation areas, historical cities and villages. Twelve important historical sites are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Find out more about studying in the Czech Republic at www.studyin.cz.
Czech higher education dates back over six hundred years. In 1348 Emperor Charles IV founded a university in Prague, now called the Charles University, which is the oldest academic institution in Central Europe. High quality education and research, especially in Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, therefore has a long tradition in the Czech Republic.
10 Tips for a Successful Start to Your New Academic Year
1. Pick your courses. Hopefully you've already chosen the courses that you'll be taking in the new academic year – but if not, get on this now! Check your student handbook to see what courses are a requirement for you degree, and have a think about what new skills you need to develop and which courses can help you with this. 2. Try studying something new. It's easy to get into a rut when you're studying, and find yourself taking the same courses and doing the same work as everyone else. But university is a wonderful opportunity to try new things and learn about new topics – so why not see if you can take a class in a subject which is new to you but which you've always found interesting? Consider studying one course from outside of your academic subject, to broaden your horizons and to teach you a different approach to learning. 3. Register for your courses. One you've chosen your courses, you may need to register for them. Check out your university's website to see when and how you need to register, and do this quickly as popular courses can sometimes be over-subscribed. 4. Get organised early. Find out as soon as possible what your deadlines are, and when you will have to submit work or sit exams. Start planning out your semester so that you can see how long you have to write your essays and assignments, or to revise for your exams. The early you start, the less stressful this will be. 5. Get a calendar (and use it!) Once you know when your deadlines are and when you need to be working on various projects, write all of this information down in a pocketbook or electronic calendar. Check your calendar regularly and update it as you get new information, so you'll always know what you need to be working on today. 6. Get on your university's CMS. Many universities now use an electronic Course Management System like Moodle or Blackboard, through which you can get information about your courses and assignments and download reading materials. Get a login from your university's IT department, and make sure that it works and you can access all the materials you need. This will make your life much easier than scrabbling to get it working at the last minute when you urgently need some information from the CMS! 7. Pick up extra reading from the library. Once you have your course introductory materials, take a look at the reading list and suggested extra reading materials. Take a trip to the library and pick up any books which you think will be helpful to give you a general overview of the course topic, and start reading these. You'll find it easier to read the latest journal articles or highly technical materials if you have an understanding of the broad themes under discussion your subject field. 8. Get to know your new coursemates. When you are in your second or third year of studying and are taking several courses, it can be tempting to skip out on social occasions with your fellow students. After all, you've already made friends and have lots going on. However, don't underestimate the value of spending time with your fellow students, as you can learn a lot from academic discussions with them as well as having fun socially. 9. Get to know your new lecturers. Lecturers all have different teaching styles and preferences, and different knowledge that they can share with you. Read over any notes or guidelines which your lecturers give you about office hours, their preferred method of communication, and their research interests so that you can get an idea of what they're like. After a few weeks, consider visiting them during their office hours to discuss how you are finding the course so far. 10. Make sure you're getting enough sleep. The start of the academic year can be busy and demanding, and you might feel like you have no time to relax. But you can't study effectively if you're already exhausted at the start of the year. Give yourself a full 8 hours sleep a night as often as you can, and you'll find studying and working to be much easier.
The new academic year is about to begin, so follow these ten tips for a successful start to the year!
Many graduate students work as teaching assistants, supporting faculty members when they teach undergraduate classes. This gives them the chance to learn directly from an experienced lecturer, while also earning money for their work. Could co-teaching be the right role for you? Today we're considering the question of whether graduate students should co-teach. Advantages of Co-Teaching The biggest point in favour of co-teaching as a graduate student is that you will gain invaluable experience from working directly with both students and faculty members. Many academic jobs required some teaching experience in order for you to apply for them, so getting this experience in graduate school will make you more employable. In the United States in particular, there is a large emphasis placed on the importance of teaching experience for junior academics. The big plus of co-teaching here is that the quality of your teaching experience will be higher if you have been observing and working with a knowledgable faculty member. A second advantage to taking a co-teaching job as a graduate student is that you will learn a whole lot from teaching. It's often said that one of the best ways to check whether you understand something is to try to teach it to someone else. You'll quickly see whether you can arrange your knowledge into a helpful and comprehensible form which you students can follow. Also, the questions that students ask and the points that they raise will help you to think about you subject in new ways. Having an experienced co-teacher with you means there's always someone to answer your questions if you're unsure. A final advantage of the co-teaching system is that it gives you the chance to get to know a faculty member well. Not only can you learn from your co-teacher's teaching methods, but you can also go to them with questions about your department or about academic life in general. You can get a more realistic impression of what academic life in the department is like for faculty. They can get to know you better too, so if you need a reference or letter of recommendation in the future, they can provide a very personal and accurate assessment of you. Disadvantages of Co-Teaching Although there are a lot of advantages to co-teaching, you should consider whether you will have enough time to dedicate to teaching in addition to your studies. Teaching requires lots of time, not just in the classroom itself, but also in making lesson plans, setting and grading assignments, and answering students' questions. This is particularly true in co-teaching, where you need to plan together with your co-teacher. Yes, there is someone else to help you with the work, but the two of you will need to co-ordinate carefully to teach effectively. You should also make sure that the work is divided up fairly between the two of you so that you're not left doing all the work by yourself. You should consider the rate of pay for teaching too. Some teaching jobs for graduate students are not very well paid, so if you have high living costs then you might need to consider another option. Alternatively, some grants or fellowships will cover your costs but expect you to teach in return. Find out what your obligations are and make sure that you're making enough money to live comfortably while you study. We hope this has given you some insight into whether co-teaching is right for you!
Co-teaching has become popular in recent years, especially in university teaching training. It involves two teachers, one experienced and one in training, coming together to teach a class together. They share the instruction, the setting of tasks, the marking, and the physical classroom space. The idea is that for a profession like teaching, in which teachers are constantly learning even after they finish their teacher training, more direct instruction is helpful. Observing and interacting with a more experienced colleague allows new teaches to learn more and get guidance if they are having any classroom issues.
Job Hunting in Academia: Why Didn't They Choose You?
You don't have enough experience One of the most important factors that hiring committees look at in an academic job hunt is the amount of research experience which you have – and that means publications. You will be expected to produce a certain number of publications as part of an academic role, and prior success in publication demonstrates that you're capable of doing this. It is unfortunate but true that many hiring committees are more interested in the quantity of publications than the quality when it comes to assessing applicants. Unless you have a publication in a very major journal like Science or Nature then it's possible that the hiring committee won't even read your publications, they'll just count how many you have. So if you're not finding success in your job hunt, ask around to find out how many publications typical applicants have. You might need to publish more work before you can land a position. You weren't a good match for the institution Another very important factor in hiring decisions is good fit between a candidate and the department. Even if you are a brilliant candidate with lots of experience, if your research interests don't match the department's, then you are unlikely to be hired. Do your research about the department before applying, and make sure that you have a really good understanding of the work which is done there. You need to find at least a few members of the department whose research interests coincide with yours, and spend some time thinking about how you work could add to the profile of the department. Too many people applying for the position Sometimes, being rejected from a position is not a reflection on the quality of your candidacy or your skills. In academia generally and in some fields in particular, there are many many more candidates looking for jobs than there are advertised positions. If this is the case in your field, even if you are perfectly qualified and perform very well throughout the hiring process, you still might not get an offer. This is frustrating but an inevitable part of academic job hunting. If this is a problem in your job hunt, the best thing you can do is to get a temporary or part-time job in another field to support yourself while you continue applying for academic positions. If your field is over-saturated with applicants then it can take a long time to get a job offer, so make yourself financially stable in the short term and dedicate yourself to a long-term job hunt. Your application materials weren't good If you're not even getting called for interviews when you apply for an academic job, then there may be a problem with your application materials. It's time to take a long hard look at your CV and cover letter. Too many people write cover letters which are generic and simply describe past job duties, rather than describing their particular achievements. Use the cover letter to highlight how you exceeded expectations in previous roles and what makes you unique as a candidate. This is one area in which people with a business or industry background are often much stronger than people from academia, so ask for help from friends from different fields! You didn't come across well in the interview One final issue to consider, if you're getting interviews but no job offers, is how you come across in the interview. Many academics don't receive any kinds of soft-skill training during their career, and sometimes the importance of inter-personal skills is not fully realised. If you're generally a bit timid and introverted, then you need to push yourself to show your best at interviews – and that means not being afraid to promote yourself and sell yourself as a candidate. Don't be afraid to talk yourself up a bit! However, if you come from a verbally assertive field like philosophy, then you might need to tone down your argumentative side during interviews. Make sure that you're letting members of the hiring committee talk and not dominating the discussion, and keep your tone even and neutral. We wish you the best of luck with you job hunt!
Applying for an academic job can be a frustrating process. If you've been rejected from an academic job and you're stewing over why, read on to find out the reasons that your job application might have been unsuccessful.
10 Things To Know Before You Start a PhD in Germany
1. It isn't essential to speak German Many universities in Germany now offer courses in English in order to encourage international applicants. When it comes to doing a PhD, the thesis can often be written in either English or German. And now there are even whole grad schools which specialise in international programs, and which operate entirely in English. Obviously, you'll still need basic German skills for going about your everyday life, but it's more common than you imagine for academic programs to be in English. 2. First, find a supervisor The first task when you are considering doing a PhD is to find a supervisor in your field with whom you can do your research. Don't underestimate the importance of having a supervisor who you get along with personally! Talk to as many people in your field as possible to get a feeling of which departments and researchers might be a good match for you. <11an>limit:3;categories:PhD Programs;disciplines:Economics;countries:Germany</11an> 3. Individual study vs joining a grad school One major decision to make when considering a PhD in Germany is whether you will study alone with the support of a supervisor, or whether you will join a structured graduate school. Both options are common in Germany. Studying individually gives you more flexibility to set your own work milestones, but joining a grad school will give you more structure and support. 4. You apply directly to the university to do a PhD Once you have found a supervisor, you will have to apply to your university or department to join as a PhD student. This typically involves providing information about your previous degrees, filling out an application, and getting a letter of support from your supervisor. 5. Get your academic credentials checked When applying for a PhD, you will need to provide copies of your previous degree certificates and transcripts. These will need to be translated into the German grade system (from the British-style “2:1” to the German-style “1.3”, for example). Your university's international office may be able to do this for you, or you may have to pay for this to be done privately. 6. Find a way to finance your PhD Once you've been accepted onto a PhD, it's up to you to find funding to support yourself. Don't forget to check out the funding available within Germany from bodies like the DAAD. 7. Non-EU citizens need a visa and residence permit If you are from outside the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland, then you are likely to need a visa in order to do a PhD in Germany. A tourist visa is not sufficient, as this cannot be converted into a long-term residence visa. In order to get a visa, you'll need to contact the German embassy in your home country and fill out an application before you come to Germany. 8. Housing is relatively cheap but can be hard to get Germany is relatively affordable in terms of housing, thanks to governmental rent control. However, in a popular city like Berlin, housing is snapped up very quickly. So you should be ready to move fast when you find a place that you like, or if you have the money to spare, you can pay an agent to find an appropriate house for you and deal with the application process. Alternatively, you can move into a shared house (a “WG”) with other students or young people, which is a good short-term option when you first arrive. 9. You have to register where you live in Germany Once you arrive in Germany and have found a place to live, you will need to register by going to your local Bürgeramt and filling in a form there. The registration is used for identification when paying taxes or dealing with the police, for example. When you move house, you must fill out another form to make sure that your registration is up to date. 10. Meet other students and make new friends Don't underestimate the importance of social support in getting you through your PhD! Do take some time to set up a fun social life for yourself in addition to your work. Grad schools make it much easier to meet fellow students, but there are also lots of other ways to make new friends.
If you are looking for a PhD studies in economics, Germany is a great option. The high quality of education available, combined with free tuition fees at public universities, makes it an attractive destination when looking for opportunities to do your doctoral research in economics.
Academic Job Applications: What Can Go Wrong?
There can be a long wait time between applying and hearing back If you've applied for corporate jobs, you may be used to waiting a few weeks to hear back regarding a job you have applied for. But in academia, this can take much longer. It's not unusual for there to be waiting periods of months between applications being received and interviews being offered. Also, the interview process itself can take a long time, as it is generally overseen by a board or committee who have to approve hiring decisions. This means that you need to start applying for academic jobs much earlier than you would for other jobs, and to be prepared for the process to take months or more. If you are not currently employed, you shouldn't rely on a future academic job as your source of income for now. Often, it will be a good idea to get a teaching job or a part-time job in another area to sustain you while you wait through the academic hiring process. The interview process might not be what you expect Interview processes will vary between institutions, ranging from a somewhat casual sit-down with some members of the department, up to a long and complex process involving multiple rounds. It is also common for academic interviews to take place at conferences, when many of the professors and applicants will be in the same place. So it's not unusual for interviews to take place in hotel rooms or conference areas if that is convenient for everyone involved. There could be a lack of fit between you and the department Obviously if you've applied for a job somewhere, you will have looked into the work of the department that you wish to join. But it can be hard to ascertain whether you and your research will be a good fit for the department until you actually visit the place and talk with other department members. Even if your interests match well on paper, you may find that you have a different inter-personal style or research approach to the new department. So try not to get too caught up in the idea of a job until you've had a chance to visit the place, such as at an interview, and get a feel for whether it would match your needs. There may be practical or financial issues with your application If you are planning to move to another country for an academic job, you need to be especially careful to find out what paperwork you will require. You might need a work permit or visa, and unlike your time as a student, you cannot apply for a student visa but will need a working visa instead. Often institutions will have departments who can help you with this, and can provide information on what documents you need and how to get them. But you shouldn't rely solely on the place you are applying to, as individuals situations can differ, so do your own research on the legal requirements of living and working somewhere. It's also important to consider the practical needs of your partner or family, if they will be moving with you. As it is common for a couple to both be academics, some institutions now offer “dual placement” jobs. This is where the hiring institution makes an agreement that if they hire one member of a couple, they will find a position for the other member of the couple too. The facilities offered by institutions for families are widely variable, and might include either on-site child minding services or pay benefits to cover childcare costs. Dig into the details of what exactly is available, as these benefits can make a big difference to both your overall financial situation and the quality of life you will experience in your new job.
Applying for academic jobs can be a fraught process! If you haven't had much experience with the academic job market, it can be hard to learn as it is quite different from applying for places at a university to be a student. Even if you have experience with applying for professional jobs, there are different norms in academic hiring which can take some time to grasp. To help you through this process, today we're covering some of the things that can go wrong during academic hiring, so you know what to look out for and how to prepare yourself.
Types Of Difficult PhD Supervisors And How To Successfully Deal With Them
Micromanagers A micromanager is one who is overly controlling and wishes to make input on all of your decisions, however small. For example, they may want to check every single slide or piece of writing which you produce, multiple times. Or they may try to dictate the way in which you divide up your time and how you prioritise. Micromanagers can be difficult to deal with, as different students and supervisors have different ideas about how much management a supervisor should perform. For some PhD students, having a lot of guidance and having their work checked regularly can be reassuring, while for others, it feels patronising. So if you find you supervisor to be too involved, remember that this is an issue of preference and not necessarily an indication that your supervisor thinks that you are not competent. To deal with a micromanager, you'll need to take a dual approach: firstly, demonstrating that you can perform tasks competently without their guidance. If you show that you can prepare a presentation well, for example, without their influence, then they will feel less need to manage you in the future. The other approach is to talk with them and try to discover their underlying concerns. Do they feel like they need to micromanage because they are concerned about your ability to organize your time? Do they worry that your research will go over budget? Or are they trying to be supportive by giving you lots of feedback on your writing? Identify the underlying concern which is leading to the micromanaging behaviour, and try to demonstrate that their worries are not founded. <11an>limit:3;categories:Postdoc;disciplines:Economics</11an> Absentee Absentee supervisors are those who are not present during your PhD, either physically (i.e. they are away travelling a lot) or metaphorically (they are so busy that you never see them). This is a common problem with senior professors and those who supervise lots of PhD students. Without advice and guidance from a supervisor, performing your PhD research is much harder. To deal with an absentee supervisor, you can first try laying out an agreement with them about regular meetings. If you can arrange a meeting with them once a week or once every two weeks at a set time, you'll know that you at least have the chance to get their input on any issues. Often professors can be bad at replying to emails, so a face-to-face meeting is the best way to get their attention. If you can't get regular meetings with them, you can turn to your second supervisor or other senior researchers who you trust, and ask for input from them instead. However, if it is truly not possible to see your supervisor regularly, you should consider moving to a different supervisor who can give you and your research the time and attention which you deserve. Overly Critical It is part of the supervisor's job to offer criticism of your work, but some supervisors take this too far. Supervisors who yell at their students, who belittle them, or who make unpleasant personal comments are not unheard of. Dealing with such a supervisor can leave students stressed, depressed, and insecure about their own abilities. Doing a PhD can certainly be an emotional experience, but if students are regularly leaving the office in tears after speaking with their supervisor, then something is very wrong. To deal with such a supervisor, you will need to assess how severe the situation is. If you supervisor is generally well meaning but rather harsh with their feedback, you can try talking to them about your overall progress in your PhD. Some supervisors, especially if they are new to management, forget that it's important to give positive feedback as well as pointing out errors. They may in fact be very satisfied with your work, but they only mention the negative points that they see. In this case, by talking to them about your overall progress you can get a more positive picture of your work. In severe cases, however, this may not help. If a supervisor is abusive towards you and they are having an overall negative effect on your life and your work, then you need to protect yourself by leaving their group and finding a new supervisor. Remember that a supervisor should support you and assist you, not make you feel like a failure. You can always get another supervisor, but your mental health is of the highest priority.
Supervision is a difficult task, and there is often conflict between supervisors and their PhD students. Even if you find a supervisor with whom you have excellent rapport, there can still be problems. Here are some of the types of difficult supervisor which you might encounter, and tips on how to manage them.