SONG INSPIRATION
This month’s blog is inspired by Doja Cat’s single, Paint the Town Red.
ARIZONA
The feeling of home I cultivated while residing in Arizona for a decade has vanished. What remains is an angst of the unsettled – typical of the postdoc experience. Nowadays, Arizona feels like a vacation destination. I recently popped over to the Phoenix area to participate in a workshop and socialize. I had a blast seeing friends and patronizing fantastic restaurants both old and new. While I don’t miss the obscene summer heat or the overwhelming car dependence, the plethora of urban amenities was refreshing. I anticipate returning to Arizona at least twice a year. I am well aware that the social scene in AZ will evolve as many of my friends leave the state upon completing graduate school.
FINDING MY PLACE IN THE ACADEMY
This summer has been more productive than expected in regards to research, mentoring, and adjusting my mindset. In research, I’ve had the opportunity to learn new skills, develop projects for student, start new collaborations, and accept speaker invitations. For a while, I struggled with developing research projects appropriate for undergraduate students. And then it hit me like an ACME anvil. I created a couple of scalable projects (depending on student interest) that are essential to my ongoing research. After all, I’m too busy to do everything anyway. These are excellent opportunities for students to develop collaborations and learn transferable skills. In mentoring/advising, I’ve learned the value of intentional mentoring, that is, meeting students where they are and tailoring a path forward that prepares them for success. In doing so, I’ve developed a conceptual framework for how to advise future students. I also worked with some cool mentors who provided helpful perspectives and resources.
All of this has contributed to me finding my place in the flawed institution that is academia. The academy is a place of creativity and independence and also a place of inflexibility and inefficiency. No institution – or system – is perfect. But this lifestyle does suit me. Now, it’s a matter of finding a sector of academia conducive to living the life I want. A permanent position, such as tenure track (TT), is desirable. But maybe there are other options – short to medium term – that make sense if I want to live abroad or consider a dual career. Large universities are high stress environments but have many resources and exciting opportunities. Liberal arts colleges are relatively less stressful, excellent places to teach enthusiastic students, and provide time to generate new ideas, but can be socially and/or geographically isolating. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the job market. I have to apply to as many positions (that interest me) as possible.
WRITING UPDATE
In science, two manuscripts continue to move through the collaborator pipeline. My first author manuscript is back in my hands. I’d like to have those edits back to my co-authors in 2-3 weeks. My second author manuscript, if you will, should be submitted to a journal in 1-2 weeks. In fiction writing, progress continues as well. The short story I submitted in June has been declined. Such is life. I plan to resubmit it elsewhere. The short story I’m co-writing with a friend remains on schedule for the September 1st deadline. My novel has surpassed 80,000 words. I hope to complete it in ~3 weeks. Additionally, I have a horror short story I’d like to edit and submit somewhere this Fall.
CURRENT SHOWS AND BOOKS
Recently finished watching: Borgen (s5); Deadwind (s3); Secret Invasion
Currently watching: Alien Worlds; Great British Baking Show (Professionals)
Recently finished reading: Parable of the Talents
Currently reading: A Modern History of Japan; Dune (finishing soon); What We Owe the Future
As always, thank you so much for reading! My next blog is scheduled for Thursday, September 21st. Until next time….
The Planetary Novelist 