In this engaging conversation, Dr. Susan Carey, Emeritus Professor at Harvard, shares her journey through the world of cognitive science. She discusses her groundbreaking research on how children’s concepts evolve and the importance of mentorship in academia. Susan reflects on the joys of retirement, contrasting the educational landscape of the 1960s with today's pressures. She also offers valuable advice for young scholars while emphasizing the need for academic freedom to explore complex ideas.
Dr. Susan Carey emphasizes the importance of mentorship and intellectual exploration during academic development for aspiring cognitive scientists.
She advocates for graduate programs to encourage personal satisfaction and exploration over immediate job security in academic pursuits.
Deep dives
Career Changes and Retirement Benefits
Retirement has allowed Dr. Susan Carey to engage more deeply in the work she loves without the administrative burdens that often accompany academic positions. She expresses satisfaction in dedicating time to writing, collaborating, and enjoying her personal life in New York City. The shift from a structured academic environment to a more flexible routine has given her the freedom to focus on her writing and research interests without the obligations of committee work or teaching. This transition reflects a broader trend where retired academics can continue to contribute intellectually while enjoying a richer social and cultural life.
Intellectual Pathways and Mentoring
Dr. Carey’s journey into cognitive science emphasizes the significance of mentorship and exploration in academic development. Throughout her early academic life, she approached her education as a series of opportunities rather than a fixed program, engaging in diverse experiences such as fieldwork in Mexico. A pivotal moment in her academic journey came from a mentor who recognized her interest in cognitive studies and encouraged her to explore it further, illustrating the impact of guidance in discovering one's true passions. This highlights the importance of allowing students the space to explore various interests before committing to a specific career path.
Changing Landscape of Graduate Education
Dr. Carey reflects on the evolving expectations of graduate students today, noting that many feel pressured to secure job offers immediately upon graduation rather than exploring their interests. In contrast to her own experience, where students could enjoy a period of intellectual exploration, the current academic climate often prioritizes immediate employability. She argues that while students today have more structured mentoring, they may miss out on the freedom to undertake ‘juvenilia’ or less formal research that helps them grow. Dr. Carey suggests that graduate programs should foster opportunities for exploration, emphasizing personal satisfaction over rigid career trajectories.
Advice for Young Faculty
For young faculty, Dr. Carey emphasizes the importance of seeking mentorship and contributing to the academic community. Her own experiences taught her to balance the pursuit of new research with securing tenure through more publishable work. She encourages emerging academic professionals to engage in teaching as a means of intellectual discovery, recognizing that teaching allows them to refine their ideas. Additionally, she underscores the value of being adaptable and open to diverse career paths beyond academia, as many graduates find fulfilling opportunities in various fields.
Anjie chats with Dr. Susan Carey. Susan is an Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and one of the most influential figures in the field of developmental psychology. Her groundbreaking research focuses on conceptual change and how knowledge systems develop throughout childhood. Susan has received numerous prestigious awards, including the William James Fellow Award from the Association for Psychological Science, the David Rumelhart Prize for significant contributions to human cognition, and the Atkinson Prize in Psychological and Cognitive Sciences from the National Academy of Sciences. In this episode, Susan reflects on her journey into cognitive science, discusses the evolution of her research on children's conceptual understanding, and shares valuable advice for aspiring graduate students and young faculty.