Changing Academic Life

 ”Writing is thinking, I love thinking, I love working on problems, I love thinking through the problems…. So the whole writing thing is a thinking thing.” says Graham McAllister in this final part of our conversation. His foray into writing a book on Games Usability after he sold his company was also a foray into exploring the process of writing, asking himself questions like "How do you write a book? What's my voice? How do I write? What fits in with my life?” Graham unpacks his experiences about the art and craft of writing that worked for him in answer to these questions. He starts with reflections on publishing challenges in academia and his commitment to making knowledge freely accessible. He also talks about the process of discovering his writing voice, the iterative writing process, setting up a writing routine and setting achievable goals. Graham also reflects on the broader implications of his work within academia and industry, the pursuit of clear communication for your audience, and his future aspirations in writing and consulting. The conversation highlights themes of personal growth, the importance of thoughtful work-life integration, and the impact of past mentors and opportunities.Overview00:00 Introduction02:50 Introduction to the Book Writing Journey03:28 The Philosophy of Free Knowledge04:51 The Writing Process and Idea Generation07:12 Structuring and Refining the Book10:08 Finding Your Voice and Writing Routine11:51 Future Writing Projects and Reflections20:09 Balancing Work and Personal Fulfillment26:04 Final Reflections and GratitudeRelated Links:Graham’s Home page and LinkedIn Profile and his booksCAL120 Part 1 episode with Graham on his previous career pivotsCAL121 Part 2 episode with Graham on team vision alignment

In this second part of my conversation with Graham McAllister, we explore Graham's next pivot to studying organizational psychology at the London School of Economics. After selling his startup, Graham decided to do an MSc to help him answer what he now saw as the core problem in game development teams and that was lack of a unified vision. He shares his insights into shared mental models, vision alignment, shared values, diversity in hiring, and building resilient teams. He also discusses how these principles can be applied to other creative and research collaborations. Keep an eye out for the final episode in this series with Graham where he shares practical tips on the art and practice of writing.Overview:00:00 Intro00:29 Episode Introduction02:30 The Turning Point: Leaving the Company and Writing a Book04:54 Discovering Organizational Psychology05:44 The Journey to London School of Economics07:16 The All-Consuming Feeling of Vision11:07 The Importance of Education and Luck16:26 Reflections on Lifelong Learning19:22 Applying Mental Models Beyond Games20:42 Understanding Alignment and Values in Organizations23:39 Rethinking Hiring Practices and Leadership26:46 Setting a Vision and Mission29:01 Building a Mental Model32:19 Operationalizing Shared Values36:26 Detecting and Addressing Cultural Beliefs38:15 Preview of Part 3 on Writing40:38 End Related Links:Graham’s Home page and LinkedIn ProfileCAL120 Part 1 episode with Graham on his previous career pivotsKotter’s Change Model https://www.kotterinc.com/methodology/8-steps/Edgar Schein’s three layer of organizational culture - see variousdiscussions: https://psychsafety.com/psychological-safety-edgar-scheins-three-layers-of-organisational-culture/https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/5-enduring-management-ideas-mit-sloans-edgar-scheinhttps://www.managementstudyguide.com/sigma/edgar-schein-model.htmOriginal 1983 paper

Graham McAllister reflects on his various career pivots, starting with a PhD in computer graphics in Belfast, transitioning through roles in academia and industry and then forming and later selling his games usability start-up. In the process Graham provides a masterclass on how to navigate and negotiate career pivots, how to articulate clear problems and solutions. The conversation highlights the value of bridging practical and theoretical domains, the role of luck and other people, and the need for continuous learning, reflection and adaptation in your career journey while being very clear about the strengths and passions that underpin this.  Overview:00:00 Episode Introduction03:01 Welcoming Graham03:43 Early Career and PhD Journey04:49 Transition to Industry06:01 Straddling Academia and Industry07:54 Return to Academia and Music Technology13:34 Influence of Gary Marsden17:41 Joining University of Sussex21:18 Starting a Spin-Out Company21:52 Balancing Academia and Startup25:24 Challenges and Reflections31:37 Academic vs. Industry Conferences32:32 Critical Thinking in Video Game Development33:28 Startup Challenges and Team Building34:32 Marketing Through Education40:56 Leadership Reflections and Authenticity48:35 Selling the Company and Moving Forward56:20 EndRelated Links:Graham’s Home pageand LinkedIn pagePeople he mentions: Ricardo Climent and Gary Marsden

This is Part 2 of my discussion with Matthew Barr and Oana Andrei who work together in the Education and Practice Section in the School of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow. Oana and Matt each share their personal experiences with mental health challenges. Oana shares her journey from postdoctoral research to becoming a lecturer, highlighting how she dealt with burnout by taking up Taekwondo. Matthew discusses his long-term management of depression and the importance of normalizing such conversations in academic settings. We also talk about their learning, teaching and scholarship career paths, the significance of reflective practice and how it has been integrated into their teaching methods. They also discuss their commitment to inclusion and diversity in education, alongside their passion for teaching and the innovative graduate apprenticeship degree program they have implemented that widens access by enabling work-based learning and student support. The episode offers valuable insights into the importance of personal wellbeing, the role of supportive workplace environments, and what a teaching-focussed path can involve.Overview00:29 Episode Introduction02:00 Picking up on the question about mental health02:46 Oana Shares Her Experiences With Burnout08:05 Matt Shares His Experiences With Depression12:45 Choosing Teaching Focussed Career Paths16:36 Oana Moving From Research To Teaching Track19:06 Promotion Criteria in a Learning, Teaching and Scholarship Track24:14 Apprenticeship Degree Program31:50 Doing a Master in Education34:39 A Framework for Reflection38:52 Wrapping Up39:18 Revisiting Belonging44:09 Thanks For The Podcast46:27 EndRelated LinksOana Andrei, Lecturer (Ass Prof) Uni of Glasgow  webpage and LinkedIn profile Matthew Barr (Senior Lecturer) Uni of Glasgow webpage and LinkedIn profile The reflective writing resources Matt mentioned:Manchester’s Academic Phrasebank: http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/The guidance here on Portsmouth’s website: https://myport.port.ac.uk/study-skills/written-assignments/reflective-writing-introductionTheir paper on how the apprenticeship degree program might widen access to HE:M. Barr, O. Andrei and M. Kallia, "Widening Access to Higher Education through Degree-level Apprenticeships in Software Engineering," 2023 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), College Station, TX, USA, 2023, pp. 1-8, doi: 10.1109/FIE58773.2023.10343199.

This is part 1 of my discussion with Matthew Barr and Oana Andrei who work together in the Education and Practice Section in the School of computing science at the University of Glasgow. It was the experiences of Matt as head of Section that led Oana to suggest he would be good to talk to. Together they share their experiences of what makes for good academic leadership and change, including the psychological safety and sense of belonging of members, the impact of everyday micro-interactions, and fostering a supportive environment. Matt discusses his approach in leadership, such as seeking feedback for self-improvement and actively supporting staff promotions. Oana also shares her perspective on the importance of belonging and mentorship in academic settings and the experience of good leadership. Their insights provide a meaningful look at how we can transform academic work culture for the better.  Overview:00:29 Episode Introduction01:52 Welcome02:28 Oana's Journey and Career03:46 Matt's Journey and Career06:13 Leadership and Management Insights10:00 Creating a Supportive Work Environment13:29 Supporting Promotion for a Learning, Teaching and Scholarship Track21:23 Micro Actions That Can Make All The Difference25:16 Being a Role Model in How We Handle Bad Days28:45 Learning From Experience What Not To Do36:44 Taking Care For Belonging41:20 Linking to Part 243:14 End Related LinksOana Andrei, Lecturer (Ass Prof) Uni of Glasgow  webpage and LinkedIn profile Matthew Barr (Senior Lecturer) Uni of Glasgow webpage and LinkedIn profile Role modelling paper mentioned by Matt:Virginia Grande, Päivi Kinnunen, Anne-Kathrin Peters, Matthew Barr, Åsa Cajander, Mats Daniels, Amari N. Lewis, Mihaela Sabin, Matilde Sánchez-Peña, and Neena Thota. 2022. Role Modeling as a Computing Educator in Higher Education: A Focus on Care, Emotions and Professional Competencies. In Proceedings of the 2022 Working Group Reports on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE-WGR '22). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 37–63. https://doi.org/10.1145/3571785.3574122

In this episode the tables are turned and I'm being interviewed by Nutan Limaye who hosts the ‘Life of a Researcher’ podcast.  Nutan is an Assoc. Professor at the IT University Copenhagen. We met when she was a participant in one of our residential academic leadership development courses in 2024.  We talk about my unconventional career path starting in social work, moving into nursing and midwifery, then finding myself in computer science and human-computer interaction, and now doing more leadership and academic development work. As with many career stories, serendipity figures a lot, along with a strong people-centred red thread that weaves through all the various turns. Nutan also asks about how the academic leadership development courses came about, and how we facilitate learning experiences on hard topics like challenging conversations. And we talk about themes that have arisen in the podcast. Along the way we also touch on interdisciplinarity, and academic mobility and what is home. This is a slightly edited conversation from the version she released end of June 2024, shared with her permission.I'm releasing this now as a complement to my careers article in the Feb 25 edition of Communications of the ACMOverview00:29 Introduction02:41 Nutan's Introduction to the Podcast05:09 An Unconventional Career Path07:34 Transition to Computer Science11:08 Shaping Interests around People-Centred Perspectives14:21 How Research Evolved as Technology Evolved17:14 Reflections on Changing Paths23:12 The Challenges of Interdisciplinary Research28:03 Supervision Serendipity34:21 Leadership and People-Centred Academia42:21 Designing Learning Experiences about Challenging People and Conversations48:23 Insights from the Session50:06 Motivation and Themes of the Changing Academic Life Podcast55:41 Academic Mobility and the Concept of Home01:05:13 Non-Rapid Fire Questions and Reflections01:14:11 Outro01:15:00 EndRelated Links:Nutan Limaye Life of a Researcher podcast and episode A conversation with Geraldine FitzpatrickNutan’s LinkedIn profile My CACM article: Geraldine Fitzpatrick, Fit for People, Fit for Purpose: Designing Tech that Matters, CACM, Feb 2025 Issue, Vol. 68No. 2, Page 7.Other CAL Episodes mentioned:Sarah Davies - two parts:On mobility, precarity and notions of excellenceOn luck, disrupting excellence, and cultures of careNeha Kumar: On choices, authenticity and the power of the collectiveKaren Stroobants: On changing research culture and reforming research assessment

Vikki Wright is the director of PhD Life Coach and offers professional coaching and training for PhD students and academics. She also hosts the PhD Life Coach podcast. Up until 2022 though Vikki was a full professor of Higher Education at the University of Birmingham in the UK, with a research background Sport and Exercise Sciences, then shifting to more of a teaching focus.Vikki shares her interesting journey from full professor to becoming a life coach. The conversation covers her career transitions, dealing with ADHD, the importance of self-awareness, along with self-compassion, curiosity and having realistic ambitions. She also shares role-based time blocking as an approach for effective self-management. These practical tools and mindset changes can be useful for us all to help us take more control of our lives and careers. Vikki also offers insights into her programs and coaching approaches for PhD students and academics.Overview00:00 Intro00:29 Episode Introduction 03:10 Guest Introduction03:27 Academic Journey and Career Transitions03:56 Challenges in Research and Shift to Teaching07:29 The Teaching Path to Full Professor...and Pandemic Reflections11:27 Discovering Coaching and Personal Growth17:37 Understanding ADHD and Coaching Transformation26:35 Balancing Ambitions and Realistic Goals30:58 Self Understanding and Being Her Own Best Boss37:25 Recognising and Addressing Student Challenges41:24 The Role of Self-Understanding in Supervision45:31 Self-Compassion49:37 Curiosity51:35 Balancing Ambition and Realism01:00:04 Role-Based Time Blocking01:09:52 Final Thoughts and Resources01:11:36 Outro01:12.24 EndRelated LinksMore about Vikki’s offerings:‘The PhD Life Coach’ podcast‘Be your own best boss’ courseVikki’s podcast episode on ‘How to use role based time blocking’The PhD Lifecoach ‘The Membership’ - sign up Jan 2025Vikki's LinkedIn pagePeople:Dr Alex Conner Other podcasts: ‘I have ADHD’ podcast, Kristen Carder  The Life Coach School, Brooke Castillo

As we leave 2024 and embark on the new year, I want to share the reflective template I used for myself, playing with the LP (long play) record concept. I introduce the table structure of the personal, people, play, and projects (Ps) categories, paired with reflective components like land, love, labor, and learn (Ls) for the past year review, and look forward, let go, let grow, and let be (Ls) for the next year. I share some illustrative examples from my own reflections of 2024, including milestones, achievements, and lessons learned. And I share some of the feedback from you that helps make the work of this podcast worthwhile – thank you! I hope this encourage you too to reflect on your LP last year, celebrate your accomplishments, and be more intentional on how you approach the coming year. You can download the LP template here. 00:29 Episode Introduction02:29 Introducing the LP Table Template06:27 Reflecting on my 2024 Landings16:10 What I Loved and What Feels Like Labour19:13 What I Learned23:21 Taking Time to Savour and Celebrate25:06 Celebrating Feedback on the Podcast31:42 Looking forward to the 2025 LP36:44 Wrapping Up and Summary39:48 Final Pointers41:01 Outro41:50 EndRelated LinksPast Episodes: Remembering Volkmar Pipek - on being curious, being youLiam Bannon (Part 1) on a career outside the box – April 2024 Liam Bannon (Part 2) on values & what matters – Sept 2024 On research identity, meaningful work and funding (solo)  - Jan 2024RW9 Progress and praise – July 2021 Other links:Linked In Post by Rachel Ratz-Lubashevsky on the research identity episodeHCI Group, TU Wien Online Academic Leadership Development course – Spring 2025, early bird deadline 2 March 2025To explore more of my offerings: geraldinefitzpatrick.com 

Evan Peck returns to discuss his career evolution since our last conversation in 2017. The focus is on his initial choice to join a liberal arts college post-PhD, emphasizing the balance between teaching and research, how his research evolved, and on his career goals then. Evan then talks through his move to the University of Colorado Boulder, detailing his motivations and the strategic thinking behind the transition. He reflects on the impact of his work in responsible computing and data visualization and the importance he places on aligning career choices with personal values and goals. Evan also discussed the nuances of working in different academic environments and how he continues to prioritize student mentorship and educational impact. Overview00:00 Intro03:21 Welcome Back, Evan!04:33 The Appeal of Liberal Arts Colleges06:26 Making Academic Paths Visible09:31 Balancing Teaching and Research13:21 Shifting Research Interests22:40 The Move to Colorado24:40 Integrating Ethics in Computing and Wanting More External Impact33:50 Reflecting on Post-Tenure Decisions37:16 Exploring New Opportunities40:46 The Unexpected Offer43:34 Transitioning to a Research Institution47:26 Adapting to a Larger Institution53:18 Balancing Work and Family54:30 Reflecting on Career Choices01:00:16 Final Thoughts and Advice01:03:05 EndRelated Links:Evan's CU Boulder web page and his personal web page and LinkedIn profile2017 podcast episode with Evan and his blog post

Özge Subaşı is the Director of Futurewell: CoCreation and Wellbeing Group in the Media and Visual Arts Department at Koç University in Turkey. In this episode, Özge shares a journey from industrial design to interaction design, with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and justice. The work with visually impaired children and older people significantly influenced Özge's transition into human-centered design. Özge's story reflects a life of multiple relocations—whether moving schools as a child, transitioning disciplines, or navigating new countries and cultures. Özge describes “always coming from somewhere and not being in the system.”The episode emphasizes the importance of holding true to core values, such as listening without prejudgment, fostering open communication, and caring for both the individual and the community. Özge's practical examples illustrate how these values influence research and teaching choices, as well as navigating trade-offs, particularly while completing an evaluation document. The discussion also addresses challenges with Özge's depression during the academic journey and strategies for maintaining personal wellbeing. Additionally, the episode highlights some difficulties faced by academics in Türkiye, including engaging with the international community and managing issues related to travel and visas.Özge's commitment to personal values, to trying different ways of being an academic researcher, and to fostering an empathetic and inclusive work culture is really inspiring.Overview00:00 Intro00:29 Episode Introduction03:37 Introduction and Background04:39 Early Career and Education08:10 Transition to Interaction Design11:50 Values and Philosophy14:15 Challenges in Academia18:07 Building a Collaborative Culture26:37 Balancing Academic Expectations34:42 Navigating Academic Trade-offs36:04 Embracing Personal Values38:36 Prioritizing Mental Health42:26 Building Supportive Environments47:00 Challenges in Academia53:45 International Collaboration and Travel01:02:22 Concluding Thoughts01:04:36 EndRelated Links: Futurewell: CoCreation and Wellbeing Group, Media and Visual Arts Department, Koç UniversityÖzge’s LinkedIn page Özge on Instagram @allthefooldays (personal page on food & family) and @sozges on X