Nathan C. Hall @prof_nch Twitter profile

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Nathan C. Hall

6 months

A quick career update: I will be leaving @McGillU next month to start a new public service career with the Government of Canada as a Senior Workforce Analyst with the Human Resources Branch at @CanRevAgency . 1/7

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

I lost a trash talking contest with my 9-yr-old this afternoon who cut deep with this one: “Well one day I will become the head of your university, and if you are not yet retired, and want me to reimburse your flight, I will just say no.” Game over.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

A quick reminder to academics missing out on conferences due to coronavirus that this is what many contingent, parent, disabled, non-funded academics experience each year. In-person conferences can be beneficial but are consistently exclusionary and propagate academic inequality.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

2 years

Manuscript in preparation (2̶0̶2̶0̶2023)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

I still find it interesting the puzzled expressions I get from colleagues when mentioning how childcare impacts my academic work; when explaining why I try to minimize conference travel, leave the office by 4 PM, or sometimes cancel meetings due to dad responsibilities.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

Please RT if you have ever conducted a manuscript review for a journal while not employed in a tenure-track/permanent academic job. As many peer reviews are done by precarious academics (grad students, postdocs, adjuncts), lack of compensation is basic exploitation ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

Not sure if other academics experience this but I often wonder if my procrastination is simply a common byproduct of ill-structured academic work, a core aspect of my personality, or an indication that I no longer value academic work and should do something different ��\_(ツ)_/¯

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

I am not appreciating the misguided messaging from admin/colleagues to be patient with some faculty/students who are “not ready“ to come back, implying a lack of psychological resilience or unwarranted anxiety. Here is why. /🧵

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Pro tip: never take academic career advice from someone you wouldn’t take mental health advice

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

The thing about applying for academic jobs is that rejection is not swift but instead a slow deliberate deflation of expectations and eventual acceptance by way of the process of elimination. You eventually wake up one morning realizing you forgot you applied and so have they.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

I don’t know who needs to hear this but not working evenings or weekends due to family obligations or self-care does not make you less of an academic. Actually that’s a lie. I do know who needs to hear this. That person is me.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Subtweet to all the strong, educated women of #AcademicTwitter : As a father trying to raise a girl not afraid to show intelligence, demand respect, and speak her mind on important topics, thank you for being role models and inspiring me to do better. You are seen and appreciated.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

4 years

I’m thinking there are a lot of academics out there right now reevaluating the meaningfulness of their work without the hype of conference travel, the noise of unnecessary meetings/forms/grading, and the privilege of insular thinking. This is not necessarily a bad thing.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

This joke brought to you by my nine-year-old son who thought my academic friends would like it: Q: “What did the teacher say when they burst out of the cupboard?” A: “SUPPLIES!”

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

If you could go back and tell your younger academic self one thing you’ve learned about academia, what would you say?

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

4 years

A quick personal update: I have accepted a new role as Associate Dean for the McGill Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies starting this fall. Excited to get started :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

lab funding explained

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

I’m starting to think that every time you apply for something; every time you put hopes into words, quantify passions, sell your worth to committees, or gamble for potential futures you lose part of yourself - parts that need care and time to grow back before doing it all again.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

I am not ready to see my colleagues and students get sick due to ill-informed policies prioritizing finances over well-being. I am not ready to see my 9-year-old in hospital due to administrators playing politics. I am not ready to get sick in the service of institutional pride.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

I know faculty/students are eager to get back to class and that some “are ready” to be done with Covid and assume a higher risk of infection for the sake of some semblance of normalcy. But it is important to not forget that risk is not borne equally; others may have more to lose.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Some days it feels like academic life consists solely of applying for things: admission, awards, grants, jobs, ethics, conferences, publication, etc. It’s surprising this little world isn’t weirder than it is when so much of our time is spent seeking acceptance.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

Prioritizing one’s family, partner, personal life, or well-being as an academic is a personal decision and should not be viewed as betraying an oath to forgo personal happiness for the sake of academic competitiveness or disciplinary contributions.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

I’m not sure who needs to hear this but it is possible to crumble under the weight of insurmountable work created by your own passions. Academics are not invincible in the face of exceptional competence and motivation, including their own.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

4 years

My grad student mentorship approach in one sentence: I may not have the answers, but I do have their back

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

Normalizing academic burnout without attempting to remedy it is part of the problem.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

Admitting to psychological struggles in academia is not weakness. It's a mistake to underestimate the strength it takes to say it out loud.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

It is a privilege to “be ready” to sacrifice your health for your institution when you are not exposed to hundreds of students in poorly ventilated facilities on a daily basis, or must look family members in the eye and explain why their health can’t be prioritized.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

These individuals are not likely to be parents of young children or caregivers for at-risk family members. They are unlikely to be precarious academics whose job security relies on compliance. Instead, they are likely to be among the most protected individuals on campus.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

Some days feel hopeful. Others feel like day 697 of 2020. Sending strength to everyone who is tired of trying their best.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

8 years

is it just me or is the way they hold their coffee cups in first episode of #gilmoregirls super annoying because they're empty and physics

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

When you see this type of messaging underscoring the importance of resilience, not avoiding academic responsibility, or “learning to live with Covid”, look closely to see if the source represents your background.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

I realize this is uncomfortable but I have a few #academicsecrets to admit: I don’t use a ref manager, have no idea what Slack or Github are, and have not yet used R. I apologize to all who are shaken and disappointed by this news but I am getting help and working to tech better.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Sometimes I look at my CV and I know I am supposed to feel proud, but I just feel tired.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

2 years

A quick shout out to all my fellow academics sitting for a moment in that quiet space between just starting to recover from a difficult term and preparing for another. Keep your head up and your options open :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

I am all caught up on all manuscripts I’ve been procrastinating on for 6-10 years and feel very self-regulated and proud of myself

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

4 years

As a general response to academics encouraging greater productivity due to self-isolation, I can clearly estimate that I will be (and have to date been) much less productive than normal due to child care, admin logistics, online instruction, emotional labour, and likely illness.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

4 years

I don’t know about other PhDs but all this mask wearing has got me feeling like a real doctor

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

4 years

Self-isolating with 2 young kids my productivity is ~50% with nearly all research dropped and just keeping up with online teaching, supervision, admin. I could also work every night to stay 💯, but it’s not worth it to cancel my mental health for the sake of this profession.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

4 years

Just had a manuscript rejected, found out I wasn’t elected to University Senate, and now have five manuscripts requiring revisions that are aging nicely in my inbox due to COVID-19. On the plus side, we just received news that my son is not infected so today is a good day :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

An empty classroom for my seminar tonight. This is what providing hybrid/online options looks like. It is clear many #McGill200 students do not feel safe given current campus measures and appreciate not having to choose between their learning and their health. #McGillOnStrike

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

4 years

Just a quick heads up to all graduate students trying to choose between admissions packages to PhD programs: Read the fine print. See how much teaching, research, etc. is required to receive your stipend, as you might end up working for less than minimum wage.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

For me, it‘s about striking a balance between respect from your academic community vs. from yourself and your family. It isn’t easy after decades of training to scale back academic ambition or curiosity for one’s personal life, but for me it’s more than worth it. #sorrynotsorry

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

This is an important point. I personally try to explicitly address the social norms and varied strategies involved in academic questioning during my lab meetings with graduate students, as this can otherwise be particularly stressful at conferences or thesis defences.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

Things I've failed at since Jan: Grant apps: 2 Award noms: 2 Position noms: 1 Manuscript subs: 3 Forgetting failure is norm in academia: 0

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

As part of a book project with @veletsianos on social media tips for early career scholars, I thought it might be interesting to share some thoughts-in-progress in this thread on online engagement strategies for academics. Feedback is welcome :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

When students explain why they need accommodations, such as a death in the family or illness, I don’t necessarily trust that it’s true but do try to trust it as a euphemism for something big enough going on to have to ask for help. Some things are private and I’m good with that.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

Mental health in academia. Some are honest about their lives, others are less direct and do what they know. Either way, it’s about letting people know they’re not alone. You may not ever be ready to speak your truth, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Not to take anything away from Twitter academics who are a force for positivity and persistence, but sometimes failure is just failure. Sometimes you don’t do your best, passion is a fiction, and even self-care goes wrong. Sometimes it’s just one day at a time, and that’s ok :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

10 years

For @NeinQuarterly . http://t.co/2SU15WNpt5

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

A visual depiction of what it takes to get a tenure-track job in 2018

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

You don't always know if a student, staff, or prof is having a bad day or a rough week. Little kindnesses go a long way, even in academia :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

If mental illness is touted as the primary impetus behind mass shootings and bonuses are proposed for educators to carry firearms, the idea is effectively to conscript teachers into killing the mentally ill which is not education but eugenics. #ParklandStrong

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

7 years

Armed Educators (and trusted people who work within a school) love our students and will protect them. Very smart people. Must be firearms adept & have annual training. Should get yearly bonus. Shootings will not happen again - a big & very inexpensive deterrent. Up to States.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Very proud to announce our latest publication exploring social perceptions of achievement and consequent affective experiences.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

A quick shout out to all the academics whose applications for jobs, grants, etc. were not successful but still try to be gracious and support others in their happy announcements. You are the glue that makes this #AcademicTwitter thing work. Thank you :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

The longer I go in my career, the more I’ve come to understand that academic merit and excellence are constructs, but support and compassion for struggling students and colleagues is real. People will remember you more for being there when in need, than for adding to their CV.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

Sending good vibes to everyone waiting on a job application, grant decision, or manuscript notification. It’s easy to doubt yourself when you put yourself out there, but at least that doubt didn’t stop you from trying. Fingers crossed :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

In the last 3 days I’ve met great directors, chairs, deans, VPs of universities across Canada who consistently cited a simple prerequisite for their position: Empathy. I know it’s more complicated but it’s encouraging to hear how just giving a damn can help you make a difference.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

Working hypothesis: for grad students and faculty, self-care and well-being efforts are often characterized as procrastination due to the ill-defined, indefinite nature of academic work and success, resulting in persistent negative affect (anxiety, guilt) and work-life imbalance.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

As a parent of an unvaccinated 9-yr-old, I am stressed and angry about mandatory in-person teaching without a vaccine mandate at @mcgillu . Admin may be worried about lawsuits from anti-vaxxers, but I can assure you academic parents of sick kids are a special breed of litigious.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

9 years

Helmet. http://t.co/eOWJ2S8cEu

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

Manuscript rejected today after extensive resubmission. On the other hand, this is my view so :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

RT if you stop yourself from being completely honest about mental health struggles or asking for help as an academic, either in person or on Twitter, because you don’t want to alarm or discourage colleagues or students. I’ll start it off.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

But I often sense this criticism is motivated not only by elitism or outdated stereotypes, but personal regrets over prioritizing the academy over family; over sacrifices to one’s personal life for the sake of an academic profession.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

4 years

Once COVID-19 subsides and in-person activities safely return to campus, I hope some online aspects remain like zoom committee meetings to reduce commuting, and providing more online course/program options to allow greater access to students who otherwise cannot attend.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

A reminder that whether or not u get writing done today the sun will eventually engulf the earth so at least do something that makes u smile

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Still one of my favourite stats cartoons :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

Academic leadership should not be an exercise simply in risk mitigation, avoiding political recrimination, and financial self-preservation. We should not need to wait for painfully overwhelming evidence before we act, especially when we have leading experts under our own roof.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

4 years

“Daddy, when I grow up I want a job like yours where you don’t have to brush your hair and you wear jogging pants all day“ - my boy

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

The longer I’ve stayed in academia, the more I’m convinced we all have an academic superpower. If you had to bet your career on it, what would yours be?

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Why procrastinate tomorrow when you can say no today. Sometimes an opportunity scorned is just a deadline spared.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

It should not be safer for McGill faculty to teach in a bar this fall than in a classroom.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

I could say my wife has more education, a higher profile profession, or makes an objectively more meaningful contribution to people’s lives on a daily basis than myself, but I shouldn’t have to.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Woke up to a desk reject on a coauthored manuscript. I don’t mind a quick decision to not review a paper, but I do find the “choose one or all of the following varied soul-crushing reasons for why your work isn’t good enough” boilerplate reply a bit disappointing.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

Just finished a manuscript with my doctoral student showing empirical links between departmental socialization practises and imposter syndrome in doctoral students. Looking forward to seeing how journals respond :) #amwriting

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

The responses I get often imply my wife should stay home when kids are sick, pick them up from school, or watch them while I travel. Maybe it’s because tenured faculty are often breadwinners, viewing the profession as identity trumping other roles, or old school gender biases.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

I’m not sure what others do when their grants are expiring and need to spend funds, but I basically just topped up all the stipends for my students to cover conference expenses, professional development, etc. I feel a bit like Santa Claus :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

I personally don’t see graduate students pursuing non-academic careers as a failure of training but rather a mentorship accomplishment. To see the academic profession for what it is and prioritize one’s own interests or well-being despite pressure to remain is no easy task.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Possibly unpopular opinion: even the most disrupted conference poster formats are at best a suboptimal science communication tool, and at worst a demeaning experience of competing for random attention

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Found out today that sarcastic tweets I wrote over the years to inject a bit of humour into academic life were used daily to cheer up a critically ill academic in hospital in the days before they passed away. Feeling humbled and grateful for the opportunity to share a smile :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

I call these times “weekdays”

Jen Heemstra

@jenheemstra

5 years

As a faculty member, there are still times that I: -fear failure -make mistakes -feel unmotivated -am not sure what I’m doing -wonder what I’ll be when I grow up Becoming a faculty member doesn’t mean we stop being human.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

Today found out two TT colleagues are quitting despite likely tenure for non-academic careers. It takes courage to push forward despite uncertainty, to reconcile academic identity and investments, and deal with judgment from old-school colleagues. Kudos and onward :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

11 years

Albert Camus Dancing. @NeinQuarterly http://t.co/dlsQBQQLe3

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

As an academic, I have at times found it draining to be living in multiple potential futures contingent on successful applications. It is frustrating to continually put off decisions until committees have completed the protracted process of making theirs.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

You don’t have to be the most intelligent person to survive in academia. Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of wit, unmitigated persistence, and ruthless editing.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

8 years

That feeling when your body wants to sleep but your mind is like "hey look at all this stuff on Twitter I lack behavioural self-regulation"

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Just finished revisions to a co-authored paper with my PhD student on how academic work (eg work-home conflict, teaching/research/tenure pressure) affects psych need satisfaction and well-being in tenure-track faculty. Overall, overwork hurts mental health, but support does help.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

There is a stigma to talking about mental health issues in academia. As if intellectual acuity must help to anticipate, avoid, or work through it, or that passion should correct, justify, or overpower it. Sometimes the cure is the fuel, and the key locks you in with the threat.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

Just overheard my 6-yr-old girl loudly and clearly berating my son for having physically moved her to make her give him one of her toys: “You do not do that to me! You do not move me! My body! My choice!” I must say I’m very much a fan of the new kindergarten sex ed curriculum.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

8 years

I would jump on the #seriousacademic hashtag but I'm too busy writing full-length anonymous blogs about other academics being on Twitter so

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

4 years

It’s surprising how many academics are still being expected to continue teaching, assessments, and grading at the same or higher level, despite COVID-19 making all of the above an exponentially more stressful experience for all involved.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

3 years

There are too many tenured faculty not speaking up about unsafe campus health safety measures, buffered by privilege and the academic freedom to remain silent. It is not enough to claim closed-door petitioning. Our academic communities are struggling and need to see and hear us.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

I’m often surprised at how very simple things can help with isolation and depression while doing solitary academic work: opening a window, running an errand, a short walk, sunshine, a nap, music, or just working at a different location. Small steps, but in the right direction.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

thank you @jonnysun :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Acceptance with minor revisions. Not a bad way to end the day 🙂

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

I’ve been debating mentioning this publicly for some time, but I am ready for a career change that moves me closer to family. Inspired by my recent grads, I’ve been actively looking into government, industry, and varied paths within academia that would allow me to advocate best.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

A quick PSA that for every celebratory tenure-track job announcement are at least 50-100 PhDs who were rejected. Not trying to steal anyone’s shine, but when precarious academic work represents most of the hidden iceberg, it’s hard to see smooth sailing ahead for our profession.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

6 years

I had a student stop by my office today to thank me for helping with their mental health struggles last term just by being honest about my own experiences in academia. I don’t usually have great advice for mental health challenges, but thankfully being open can sometimes help :)

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

7 years

I call them deadlines

Fred Scharmen

@sevensixfive

7 years

People observe flying objects without being able to identify them all the time.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

One of the little joys of being a professor is sending my letters of reference to students themselves. Although I sometimes characterize it as a writing sample or record keeping, it’s mainly to remind them to be proud of what they’ve accomplished.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Just submitted a co-authored paper on the complexity of emotional labour in teachers, now finishing another showing burnout to predict procrastination and self-efficacy in faculty. Satisfying to see this interesting work on the psychological costs of academic work moving forward.

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Nathan C. Hall

@prof_nch

5 years

Arguably one of the most beneficial aspects of having a PhD is that my complaints to customer service are most exceptionally argued and well referenced.

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