Sep 11Member-onlyLost in Translation: The International Academic’s Dutch ChallengeNews of potential rules mandating Dutch for university teaching in The Netherlands underscores the challenges faced by international academics. As someone who’s recently started an academic role in The Netherlands, I’d like to share my personal experience. Starting out, my partner and I took roles outside our home countries. She…Academia2 min readAcademia2 min read
Jun 15Member-onlyOvercoming Burnout: Five Transformative Books That Guided Me to Renewed BalanceIn today’s fast-paced and demanding world, burnout has become an increasingly prevalent issue affecting individuals across various walks of life. The exhaustion, stress, and sense of overwhelm that accompany burnout can be incredibly challenging to navigate. I suffered from burn-out a few months ago and turned to books to find…Books5 min readBooks5 min read
Feb 1Member-onlyLooking for something to read? Here is my selection from JanuaryOn the hunt for something that can entertain or inform you? I’m sharing the books I read in January, including an inspiring book on education and three gripping thrillers. Esther Wojcicki: How to Raise Successful People There are no Nobel prizes for parenting or education, but there should be. They are the two most important things we…Books4 min readBooks4 min read
Jan 17Member-onlyHow sugar destroys your concentrationDo you ever experience an afternoon slump? Like trouble concentrating, low energy, no ideas? Many people reach for something sweet to combat this. However, sugar may not be the remedy but the cause of the brain fog. A 2018 study in the journal Physiology & Behavior investigated the effects of…Productivity3 min readProductivity3 min read
Jan 5Member-onlyThe worst books of 2022The year is over, and it appears that everyone is publishing their favourite books from the last year. While I had the pleasure of reading many excellent books over the last year, there were also some really terrible one. …Books5 min readBooks5 min read
Jan 2Member-onlyBooks I read in December 2022On the hunt for something that can entertain or inform you? I’m sharing the books I read in December, including an epic fantasy novel, a history of bisexual identity, an psychological perspective on money, and two gripping thrillers. Patrick Rothfuss: The Name of the WindReading7 min readReading7 min read
Dec 15, 2022Member-onlyThe problem with Building a Second Brain for researchers and academicsThe Building a Second Brain system is a popular way to organise our digital lives. However, the strict focus on projects limits its usefulness for academics and researchers. Here, I discuss an extension to make BASB more suitable for this type of work. What is Building a Second Brain? Building a Second Brain (BASB) is a…Productivity6 min readProductivity6 min read
Dec 12, 2022Member-onlyBooks I read in November 2022On the hunt for something that can entertain or inform you? I’m sharing the books I read in November, including a productivity bestseller, a horror flick with social commentary, and an atmospheric whodunnit. Tiago Forte: Building a Second Brain We go to work five days per week, but spend more than one of those days on…Books5 min readBooks5 min read
Dec 5, 2022Member-onlyThe best subscriptions for researchers and academicsSubscriptions to journals, newspapers, and apps can help us stay informed and productive. Here, I’m reviewing my favourite subscriptions for research and academic life. Consumption Here, I review subscription that are mostly about getting information or consolidating it. Paperpile Link: https://paperpile.com/ | Cost: £36 per yearTechnology11 min readTechnology11 min read
Nov 28, 2022Member-onlyBooks I read in September 2022On the hunt for something that can entertain or inform you? I’m sharing the books I reading September, including book about how to take a break, an insightful treatise about addiction, and two gripping thrillers. Anna Lembke: Dopamine NationBooks6 min readBooks6 min read