Academic Career Perspectives: Stories and Strategies

All four talks will be held via Zoom from 11am to 12pm.

Thursday 14 November: Introduction to Academia and Getting a Job

Thursday 21 November: Teaching

Thursday 28 November: Research and Publishing

Thursday 5 December: Service 

Doctoral candidates who do not have access to Wahapū can submit an expression of interest by completing the Doctoral Event Registration Form.

Session 1: Introduction to Academia and Getting a Job
Dr Jay Gong (FMHS) and Dr Enrique del Rey Castillo (Engineering)
An academic workload typically involves teaching, research and service. In this session, our guest speakers will discuss what a typical day / week / month in their work-life looks like. Questions include: What does being an academic involve in your discipline? How did you get your first job? What do you like about being an academic? Is there anything you wish you knew before starting out?

Session 2: Teaching
Dr Anthony Gampell (Science) and Dr Kathryn Jones (Science)
Teaching is a core component of an academic position. In this session, we ask our guest speakers to describe what engaging teaching in higher education involves. Questions include: What does it mean to you to be a good teacher? What do you like about teaching? How can you prepare to be a good teacher? What strategies and advice can you share with candidates who want to be engaging university teachers?

Session 3: Research and Publishing
Prof Francis Collins (Arts) and Dr Nikki Warren (SGS)
Building a strong track record in publishing is a core part of academic life, and so it is essential to understand the review process from the perspective of an editor. In this session, our guest speakers will share their perspectives and advice on getting published and the review process. Questions include: How do you get started in publishing? What does the publishing journey look like? What is the role of journal editors and reviewers? 

Session 4: Service
Dr Theuns Henning (Engineering) and Dr Enrique del Rey Castillo (Engineering)
Our final session is on engaging with opportunities to be an active citizen in your institution and the wider educational community, which can be a rewarding aspect of academic life. Our guest speakers will describe what academic citizenship can look like, advise how candidates can begin to demonstrate citizenship as they prepare for an academic career.