What are some good appreciation gift ideas for a thesis advisor who was kind when the project took far longer than originally planned? [more inside]
posted on Apr 30, 2008 - 10 answers

I just found out that I have an phone interview for a faculty (assistant professor) position (biology) at a liberal-arts college this Wednesday afternoon. Yay! But I've never actually had a formal interview before. Help! Also, I'm pregnant. Questions and advice requests inside. [more inside]
posted on Apr 14, 2008 - 23 answers

My formal educational background/profession is in a different area, but I would be interested in teaching a seminar on spirituality, comparative religion, and philosophy at a university. I've studied these areas informally. Anyway, I want it to be mostly a participatory, discussion-oriented class, not one where I pass down my knowledge from on high. How hard would this be to do and how should I go about doing it -- esp. at a well-known university like, say, NYU? I don't need much if any compensation.
posted on Mar 24, 2008 - 17 answers

Should I give my co-advisor the boot? Question about dealing with a difficult advisor for my grad program...a nice, long read awaits you... [more inside]
posted on Mar 2, 2008 - 15 answers

Throughout my college career, I could probably count on one hand the number of professors I've seen who wear wedding rings, and this includes professors who mention their spouses. Is this just coincidence, or is there something to it? [more inside]
posted on Feb 6, 2008 - 25 answers

My contract said "Adjunct Professor." My faculty ID card said "Adjunct Instructor." My paycheck said "Lecture/Adjunct." I never cared since this was just a two-year, part-time gig and I had no further interest in academia... but I do need to call it something in my bio. I don't have a terminal degree, suggesting and the contract was wrong and the ID card was right. I emailed the department; they said they'd check but didn't email back (I'll ask again). This was at a large private university in the U.S. I have to finalize a bio tonight -- should I just say Adjunct Instructor?
posted on Jan 21, 2008 - 25 answers

How do I go about hitting on (and sleeping with) a man with whom I have an unequal power relationship? [more inside]
posted on Nov 19, 2007 - 49 answers

I heard a story on NPR some time ago, and am having no luck finding it now. It was about a man, possibly a professor of architecture, who taught students how to mindfully walk and study the suburban landscape. Who was this person? [more inside]
posted on Oct 10, 2007 - 12 answers

Should I contact him, or leave it alone? [more inside]
posted on Jul 16, 2007 - 36 answers

NewAcademicJobFilter: What did/should you do, to start off a new academic job at a new institution and do it right? Lab? Colleagues? Students? People to know? Actions to take? How did you leave your own institution? [more inside]
posted on Jul 3, 2007 - 6 answers

Men's FashionFilter: I need to update my develop a wardrobe for the Fall and after. [more inside]
posted on Jun 15, 2007 - 19 answers

I am a new tenure track professor (research uni) in the US. I just finished my first year and feel barely competent in a lot of areas -- ok but not good teaching evals, 3-6 weeks late in paper "deadlines", so many last minute "preparations" for classes or meetings, no good ideas for future research. I need some help figuring out how to better play the game, or to be happier with just getting by. Fellow academics (or others in similar professions), to the bat phone! [more inside]
posted on May 23, 2007 - 25 answers

Should I introduce myself to potential graduate school advisors at the earliest opportunity, or wait until I'm better prepared and less indecisive? [more inside]
posted on Feb 1, 2007 - 11 answers

What can you tell me about excellent grad schools for the fine (visual!) arts in Eastern Canada... and about the job field for visual arts professors? [more inside]
posted on Dec 31, 2006 - 4 answers

How do I get to know my professors better (without coming off as a brown noser)? [more inside]
posted on Dec 3, 2006 - 27 answers

I am very familiar with Lawrence Lessig and his writings, particularly on copyright, but I thought it would only be fair to look at the other side. So, who are the biggest US names in pro-copyright/anti-Lessig law? [more inside]
posted on Nov 29, 2006 - 10 answers

Verbally bitchslapping a professor via email: can I get in trouble? [more inside]
posted on Nov 17, 2006 - 54 answers

Should college art professors have an outside career in their field of arts aside from teaching? [more inside]
posted on Nov 5, 2006 - 18 answers

How do I re-establish a research relationship with a professor I kinda-sorta worked with in college a few years ago? [more inside]
posted on Oct 25, 2006 - 13 answers

How do you handle a college professor that you're smarter than? [more inside]
posted on Sep 7, 2006 - 64 answers

Does my flaky departure and subsequent lack of fame / distinction make corresponding a no-no with this former professional associate? [more inside]
posted on Aug 24, 2006 - 11 answers

Who knows how to pronounce Welsh near Chapel Hill, NC? I think I'd like to throw a small party at which we all learn the basics of pronouncing Welsh, and I'd love to find an expert, preferably one with experience teaching, to help us. [more inside]
posted on Jul 16, 2006 - 7 answers

I want to become a professor of political science. What do I need to know? [more inside]
posted on Feb 7, 2006 - 19 answers

Help me apply to grad school! I'm making initial contacts with faculty at various universities, in hopes of getting a foot in the door while doing applications. I'm not entirely sure what to write in my e-mails of introduction, though. [more inside]
posted on Oct 3, 2005 - 19 answers

Blogging in the classroom. I've decided to set-up a blog for my students this semester. This will be the place for their response papers, writing exercises and a few other tidbits. It needs to have access for 5-10 members, a very easy set-up, free-to-near-free pricing (although I would pay or find the dollars to fund if it was warranted), and very clear posting/linking instructions for the students. Advice on selecting a blogging system needed. [more inside]
posted on Aug 31, 2005 - 14 answers

How does one become a professor (read: university level instructor)? [more inside]
posted on Jul 12, 2005 - 33 answers

Sorry is this has been asked before, but what were the *real* character names on Gilligan's Island. Not the actors names (Bob Denver, Alan Hale, et.c), but the non-nickname names of the skipper, Gilligan, Professor,etc. I seem to remember that the Skipper's name was something like Jonas Grumby....
posted on Apr 14, 2004 - 15 answers