Unplug from academia

By Laura.Duckett, 14 December, 2023
Unplug from academia
Advice for academics on how to switch off and not feel guilty
Unplug from academia
Advice for academics on how to switch off and not feel guilty
Unplug from academia

In a field where burnout is common and the line between work and personal life is regularly blurred, taking time out to unwind from a job in higher education is vital. While it’s easier said than done, placing an emphasis on self-care and relaxation can improve well-being, boost creativity and make you a better colleague. This collection features advice on how to unplug from the hustle.

By kiera.obrien, 4 December, 2023

Let’s prioritise self-care for the benefit of everyone

View
A tray with a jar of bath salts, lilies and towels sits on the edge of a candelit bathtub
Self-care can make us better at our jobs, support our students more effectively and help to build a better community across academia. Karina Dancza offers her tips on how to implement self-care in your professional life
Reading time
4minutes
Self care for academics
Resources
By Miranda Prynne, 1 September, 2022

Walk the walk to benefit your academic research

View
Woman walking past a field of yellow flowers
Walking can be used to benefit academic research, help with problem-solving and promote creative thinking. Here, Anna Lois McKay explains the different ways it works
Reading time
3minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 10 November, 2022

Recognise work-life imbalance and restore resilience

View
balancing stones
How can academics stay energised and resilient? The first step, says Aaron Davis, is take stock of those tasks and worries that deplete energy, then add activities that refill your cup
Reading time
3minutes
Tips on managing workloads
Managing workloads
By Eliza.Compton, 28 September, 2022

Tame the to-do list and manage an academic workload

View
Time management concept
Reduce procrastination, forget multitasking and get the to-do list done. From delegating to prioritising urgent versus important tasks, here are six practical ways to balance teaching, research and service for university faculty
Reading time
5minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 13 December, 2023

How to survive the academic treadmill

View
Man doing yoga
When working hours are stretched to cover marking, induction and other tasks, what is a busy scholar to do? Here, James Derounian offers suggestions for taking essential downtime
Reading time
4minutes
Avoid burnout in higher education
Resources
By miranda.prynne, 4 February, 2021

How to manage your busyness to avoid burnout

View
How to manage your busyness to avoid burnout
Overwork and stress are growing issues among academics, particularly following the sudden transition to online teaching. Erin Wilson talks through how she manages her busyness to avoid burnout
Set healthy boundaries
Set healthy boundaries
By dene.mullen, 27 August, 2021

Early career researchers can say no, too

View
Early career researchers must master the art of saying no and not be too eager to please
Coming up with a series of questions for ECRs about each ‘opportunity’ as it arises can help them decide what is worthy of their time, says Lucas Lixinski
Get the balance right
Resources
By Miranda Prynne, 12 April, 2023

The four-day week in higher education: can we make it work?

View
A young woman exploring a forest
With a culture of overwork eroding well-being among UK university staff, could a four-day working week be part of the solution? Rushana Khusainova looks at whether this mode of working is feasible in higher education
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 16 September, 2022

Why my hobbies make me a better scholar

View
Man playing mandolin
Non-academic skills, both motor and cognitive, can enrich research capabilities in unexpected and often unexamined ways, writes Stephen W. Harmon
Reading time
4minutes
By dene.mullen, 10 November, 2022

You can have it all, just not all at once

View
Work-life balance in academia can be achieved, but it's not easy
It might just be possible to achieve a good work-life balance in academia, but it requires focusing on certain areas of your life and career at certain times, says Lucas Lixinski
Reading time
5minutes