tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post7444853869585273951..comments2024-03-27T02:24:30.591-07:00Comments on Get a Life, PhD: What’s the matter with a forty-hour work week for academics?Tanya Golash-Bozahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299920277816825958noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-44490562270268825402017-11-20T17:13:27.020-08:002017-11-20T17:13:27.020-08:00You are right. I am not teaching a 4-4. And, tryin...You are right. I am not teaching a 4-4. And, trying to find time to do research on top of all of that would be very difficult. Good luck to you with your sabbatical application.Tanya Golash-Bozahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299920277816825958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-72844506127759303062017-11-20T17:05:31.305-08:002017-11-20T17:05:31.305-08:00I assume you are not teaching a 4/4, 3-4 prep load...I assume you are not teaching a 4/4, 3-4 prep load which involves teaching some of those courses as English composition, as well as serving on committees, having to write a grant to get a sabbatical (otherwise never given in my state), hold ten office hours per week, and actually complete some research. Granted, the research expectations at my university are very low, so wanting to continue to publish and present at conferences is mostly all on me.malvaishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06766387337647306184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-61860215637003432132017-01-24T09:47:22.907-08:002017-01-24T09:47:22.907-08:00Impressive discipline and an impressive amount acc...Impressive discipline and an impressive amount accomplished in one day! I'm completing my doctoral dissertation and also have a full-time job. I really enjoy my current job, so I'm not entertaining an academic position in the foreseeable future. I work around 35 hours a week, mostly because we have an 8 month old and I drop him off most mornings and can only get to my office after that.<br /><br />Two things: my brother worked in finance and was working 100+ hour weeks for a few years. That totally blows my mind. He's a clean dude, but I'm positive many folks in that industry are on PEDs, whether legal or illegal.<br /><br />I have academic friends on both sides of 40 - some have families and are as efficient as you are. Others are still trying to "make it" and I'd say they work more like 70-80.<br /><br />I'm not judging anyone, but I LOVE working 35 hours a week, setting my own work hours, and I earn a pretty darn nice salary, especially in light of my hours.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-43664665564967773252013-08-25T12:23:53.380-07:002013-08-25T12:23:53.380-07:00I do feel exactly as you do, Jinjing! Tanya's ...I do feel exactly as you do, Jinjing! Tanya's post was really great and it gave me hope! but I am a "slow writer" and a "slow reader" - I've been reading about skimming techniques which also help, but still I do feel slow. (not being an english native speaker in a world dominated by english might have to do with the slowness, but I think it's more than that).<br /><br />thank you for blogging Tanya, and to show the "backstage" of academic work! it's really inspiring and helpful. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-84919771325658357912013-05-23T10:53:27.639-07:002013-05-23T10:53:27.639-07:00Just came across this, and wanted to say thanks! V...Just came across this, and wanted to say thanks! Very refreshing. And I also think you are more honest about the time you spend working than many other academics - it's easy to say you work 80 hours a week if you never really keep track!<br />Katenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-33368600814394234302013-02-18T13:17:56.963-08:002013-02-18T13:17:56.963-08:00Hi Tanya,
I'm a grad student of humanities a...Hi Tanya, <br /><br />I'm a grad student of humanities and I've been following your blog for a while. This is my second time reading this post. While I really appreciate the tips you shared, I'm amazed - actually jealous - about your writing and reading efficiency. I noticed that on this example day you shared, you spent 30 minutes only writing on a book. It will take me 30 minutes to warm up only. And while you spent 1 hour reading a book, it actually took me 2 hours to read and annotate a chapter of a book, and another 35 minutes to type some quotes and my comments. I am one of those slow writers, both in my 1st and 2nd languages (I speak Chinese but read and write academically in English). Anyway, I'm experimenting ways that work for me. But your advice is inspiring. Thank you again!Jinjing Zhaohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01044112292523550111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-53022090920544697472013-01-09T21:51:24.700-08:002013-01-09T21:51:24.700-08:00As a senior undergraduate student and aspiring aca...As a senior undergraduate student and aspiring academic this post was incredibly refreshing. I can't imagine pursuing another career path because I love what I study so much, but I have found myself becoming increasingly disheartened about my future life outside of academia. It's nice to know that balance IS possible. THANK YOU.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-41379002440488714292013-01-05T19:18:13.800-08:002013-01-05T19:18:13.800-08:00OK, I always said it was not the flexible schedule...OK, I always said it was not the flexible schedule, it was the material, that attracted me to academia. However, if I could get the schedule I want, most afternoons would be off and some evenings would be on. It would be:<br /><br />Sunday through Friday mornings = 6 sessions<br />Monday through Thursday, plus Saturday afternoon in a library OR evening writing = 5 sessions<br />Sessions I conceive of as 2.5 hours so that is 27.5 hours so far. <br />This is the time I want to work on research and preparation of classes, no face time. On the 40 hour plan I still owe 12.5 hours, which is perfect: 9 hours of class, 3 of office hours, and 30 minutes of meetings. Hm, I think I will work this up and see if I can do it. I will have to go slightly over some weeks, but perhaps not too much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-40036773216922753382012-10-17T16:48:44.238-07:002012-10-17T16:48:44.238-07:00Hi! I am enjoying UC Merced immensely. Good luck o...Hi! I am enjoying UC Merced immensely. Good luck on the job market.<br /><br />I usually read blogs and respond to posts (as I am doing now) when I am taking a break from writing, reading, or grading.<br /><br />For networking on campus, I try and have lunch with colleagues every so often. That way, I get a break, some food, and some networking all at the same time.<br /><br />For networking around the country, I attend conferences, workshops, and give talks, and then have a different schedule during those days.Tanya Golash-Bozahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299920277816825958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-76304803545833998322012-10-16T19:44:38.654-07:002012-10-16T19:44:38.654-07:00I just found your blog (researching UC Merced - ap...I just found your blog (researching UC Merced - applying for my first t-t job!) and have spent most of the day reading it. I'm so inspired...I actually have a ton of questions for you that I may ask in person if I should make it to the interview. But for now - anonymously - where do you make time for surfing and reading blogs, networking with your colleagues, and other potential time-wasters?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-66699170082010971342012-10-12T18:11:11.446-07:002012-10-12T18:11:11.446-07:00Hi:
I think your day seems straightfoward; congra...Hi:<br /><br />I think your day seems straightfoward; congratulations if thats what you aspire to:<br /><br />I find it remrkable when your post states:<br /><br />"it is primarily directed at those whose work mostly involves writing and thinking," as if this provides seperation from what you call the "hard sciences." I am fortunate enough to be in the "hard" sciences in which thinking and writing form a foundation for what I achieve not a pinnacle. Your days surrounded by social media entertainment may be very rewarding; if this is part of your research in which you enjoy, congratulations. As most successful researchers, your engrossed by and enjoy your trade and dont groan about the hours outside of your passion.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-65264390125233256102012-06-19T22:06:44.630-07:002012-06-19T22:06:44.630-07:00I think academia expects too much from people/ is ...I think academia expects too much from people/ is too competitive in general... In part it is due to the fact there are too many PhDs around and too few jobs. Not out fault though but many Western governments thought in the 90s that by churning out PhDs (whether of Einstein-level or not), would continue to increase productivity (see the article on 'PhD factory' on the Nature website. In reality a teaching semester is pretty full on and to do a good job of the teaching is a 100% job in itself. Outside of semesters personally I am burnt out from the teaching and need to take some leave and the thought of writing makes me feel nauseous. In an ideal world a PhD should have the following responsibilities:<br />1) Teach<br />2) Write up papers from their own PhD<br />3) Supervise one or two postgraduate research projects in their interest/expertise area. And help the student write up papers<br /><br />But for some reason this is not enough and we are expected to do all of this plus promoting ourselves, going to conferences etc etc, do more and more researhc from time we do not have, surely it should be the students that are doing the research and we act as mentors, otherwise it's like we are expected to do the work equivalent to two or three more PhDs ourselves when one is enough - we have proved ourselves already!! But as mentioned in the previous post there are too many people willing to make it their life, work all hours god sends thus raising the bar above what it states in the contract you get i.e. 40 hours per week. <br /><br />Would love to hear any responses to this although the blog posting itself is a bit old...thanks<br /><br /><br /><br />If somebody has already done a PhD,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-34162207315569044882012-06-04T00:29:18.642-07:002012-06-04T00:29:18.642-07:00I like this post, like Tanya mentions, all those p...I like this post, like Tanya mentions, all those people who fought for a 40-hour week, we owe it to them to adhere to this. But what screws it up are those academics who are willing to forego a social life/family life and let work become their life, everyone else has to try and reach that benchmark of performance to get on but it is impossible unless we too succumb to the overwhelming pressures of teaching and publishing. Personally I have tried putting in 110% and I end up feeling burnt out and depressed, so what's the point? I think it is a better philosophy to adamantly work 40 hours/week, and if I/we publish a few less papers then so be it, and if we lose our jobs then perhaps it might be a blessing in disguise to try something else (but having known we did our best..). As Gandhi said, to over-indulge ourselves in anything, including intellectual stimulation, we are becoming unbalanced, and then what kind of role-model are we for students/our children then? <br /><br />I think the blog-writer's husband is the luckiest, to have an attractive wife and to be able to play music and make jewellery...<br /><br />Regards to all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-75422815119047242602012-05-21T08:14:53.897-07:002012-05-21T08:14:53.897-07:00Ha! I'd like to know how many students are in ...Ha! I'd like to know how many students are in everyone's 4/4 load. My load as a lectuerer was 250 students and the PhD has unfortunately lead to the unemployment line.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-16600929232814488392012-05-20T13:07:30.383-07:002012-05-20T13:07:30.383-07:00I checked out your profile, and that is impressive...I checked out your profile, and that is impressive. I do think philosophy is one of those disciplines where there are real limits on how many hours of the day you can use your brain. Resting each evening after 5pm likely gives you the mental stamina to pick it up again each day.Tanya Golash-Bozahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299920277816825958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-11653179624865846712012-05-16T07:54:01.134-07:002012-05-16T07:54:01.134-07:00I think your post is right on the money. I do all ...I think your post is right on the money. I do all of my work (prep, reading, grading, writing) in my office. I get to work about 8:15 five days a week and leave by 5:00. I never bring work home. I'm a tenured philosopher at an average state school who teaches a 4-4. I have no grad students and do all my own grading, and I still keep up a robust research program. Good time management is the key.Steven Haleshttp://facstaff.bloomu.edu/shalesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-36524261751841026182012-04-29T08:58:10.646-07:002012-04-29T08:58:10.646-07:00Thanks, Jackie. As for teaching/advising grad stud...Thanks, Jackie. As for teaching/advising grad students, it is important to first serve on several committees before taking on any advisees of your own so you can see how things work in your dept.Tanya Golash-Bozahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299920277816825958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-23573395008672758842012-04-28T18:34:55.251-07:002012-04-28T18:34:55.251-07:00You took some heat for this post, but I am so glad...You took some heat for this post, but I am so glad you wrote it. 40 hours may be difficult or near impossible for some, but I have also noticed that (in some cases) if you allow your "work time" to include nights and weekends you will fill that time with stuff to do. For example, you will say yes to do more things because you know you have nights and weekends to accomplish it. If you know you only have roughly 40-50 hours in a week to get everything done, I think you prioritize things differently and say no to more academic stuff or at least change the time commitment you put into these things. I'm certainly going to try to boundary my academic life so that I can enjoy my private life. I'll be listening to you as I go! If you teach doctoral students (as I will be doing) I'd love to see a post about how you grade for them and read/provide feedback on dissertations.Jackienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-40769423492541566942012-04-25T10:32:45.483-07:002012-04-25T10:32:45.483-07:00Thanks! This post has generated a lot of conversat...Thanks! This post has generated a lot of conversation, and controversy, which is good!Tanya Golash-Bozahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299920277816825958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-42052108313773435422012-04-25T10:32:18.381-07:002012-04-25T10:32:18.381-07:00I can imagine why that might be the case. Is it be...I can imagine why that might be the case. Is it because of the long hours you have to spend in labs and group meetings? I reach my capacity for creative thinking after a few hours a day, but I can imagine one might be able to spend longer hours engaged in other sorts of activities.Tanya Golash-Bozahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299920277816825958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-1627996161770372092012-04-25T09:58:47.653-07:002012-04-25T09:58:47.653-07:00Wonderful post - bravo Tanya!Wonderful post - bravo Tanya!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-43849239068392909102012-04-19T18:26:39.958-07:002012-04-19T18:26:39.958-07:00not applicable to experimental sciencesnot applicable to experimental sciencesjasonDarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04997461320673234614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-91148034066448503832012-04-13T02:02:02.421-07:002012-04-13T02:02:02.421-07:00Thank you for this, thoroughly liberating to find ...Thank you for this, thoroughly liberating to find someone who is making this work. I'm in the UK system as a PhD student, but am determined to have a family and life outside of work. Thanks, again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-39993172604874665282012-04-10T07:53:38.434-07:002012-04-10T07:53:38.434-07:00Wow. Yes, I have (pretty much) complete autonomy o...Wow. Yes, I have (pretty much) complete autonomy over how I teach. We have to justify/explain our pedagogy, but so long as it's reasonable, no one complains. <br /><br />I work at a public R1. Things may be different at other universities. Also, some departments may make requirements such as upper-division seminars must have 20 page papers.<br /><br />When I studied in Britain in 1992/3 (at Bristol), the prof just lectured once a week and graded our papers/exams at the end of the semester.Tanya Golash-Bozahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299920277816825958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175875149329306963.post-84663386347484109812012-04-10T07:46:35.359-07:002012-04-10T07:46:35.359-07:00In my institution we do not have the power to over...In my institution we do not have the power to overhawl our assessment procedures. In fact, in the UK we've got less and less freedom and control. Looking at your shcedule I think, yes, that should work. However, with 25 students in a 'seminar' and all work over 50% having to be double marked, it's simply not working here. I think it's great you're defending the 40 hour week, but it requires a level of power that British academics no longer have.kllj1noreply@blogger.com