An Academic Odyssey

Will Duffy - Academia is not the Same Thing as Higher Education

We round out our first season with University of Memphis's Will Duffy. Professor Duffy helps us differentiate between "Academia" and "Higher Education." Importantly, he advocates for "hitting the ground running" and "doing the work" as a powerful way of setting aside the sometimes stress-inducing, sometimes impenetrable professional languages and concepts of Academia.

Michael Trujillo: Interdisciplinary studies, choosing a PhD program, and having high standards when looking at offers

On this episode we welcome Professor Michael Trujillo, Ph.D. It is through his expertise in Interdisciplinary Studies that we get insightful advice on how to choose, and signal, a specific study in Ph.D. applications.

Scott Yarbrough: Mentorship, Academic Publishing, and the Academic Lifestyle

In our conversation with veteran professor and administrator Scott Yarbrough, we spend plenty of time on the "have and have not situation" of academia. Other topics we cover include the sources of mentorship and the demands of academic publishing.

Rachel Griffis: The Academic Conference, School Ethos, and the Benefits of Collaboration

On this episode we welcome Rachel Griffis, Ph.D. We cover important topics of academia such as the academic conference, school ethos, and how collaboration benefits emerging scholars.

Martin Tracey: How Undergrad Matters and the Changing Landscape of Graduate Studies

Benedictine University's Dr. Martin Tracey gives subtle and ultimately optimistic insight into the pressures and pleasures of graduate study in the humanities. Our discussion covers topics such as the importance of one's BA program and experiences, mentoring relationships, and the affordances of today's increasing digital and online university system. Tracey is particularly insightful on the mindset proper to transitioning from BA to graduate school and from a finished graduate degree to whatever is next.