Libsyn Directory

254: Pivoting to Public Scholarship with Dr. Becky Dawson

Release Date: 01/28/2025

273: [Leadership Series] Becoming a Manager is Inevitable

Academic Writing Amplified

Do you cringe at the idea of being a manager in academia? You’re not alone, but it’s time for a mindset shift. In this new podcast series on leadership in academia, I’m making the case that becoming a manager isn’t just likely -- it’s inevitable. In fact, it’s a sign that your academic career is growing, your influence is expanding, and your work is making an impact. In this first episode, I’m laying the groundwork for the series by diving into why academic leadership must include management—and why that’s a good thing. Whether you’ve just landed your tenure-track...

272: [Project Management Series] Writing Problems versus Writing Tasks (Re-Release BONUS)

Academic Writing Amplified

Ever feel like you should know how long a writing task will take, but somehow, it always takes longer (or shorter) than you expected? If so, this bonus episode is for you! After coaching dozens of academics one-on-one in our Navigate program this past year, I’ve developed a brand-new concept that’s transforming how academic writers plan, prioritize, and stick to their writing timelines: the difference between writing problems and writing tasks. I’m so excited to bring this concept into the curriculum of our Navigate program. We’ll not only teach you how to distinguish between problems...

271: [Project Management Series] Deciding Time to Task (Re-Release EP 210)

Academic Writing Amplified

Have you ever looked at your calendar, blocked out a few hours to write, and then… nothing? The blank screen stares back, your cursor blinks mockingly, and you start wondering—how long should this take? Why is this so hard to estimate? In this episode, I’m talking all about one of the biggest hidden obstacles to academic writing success: estimating how long writing tasks actually take. Whether it’s a book chapter, a literature review, or a single figure caption, understanding time-to-task is crucial if you want to make real progress on your publications without burning out. If you're...

270: [Project Management Series] Project Management Skills Versus Tools Part 2 (Re-Release EP 209)

Academic Writing Amplified

You’ve developed the project management skills, but now the question is: how do you know when it’s time to introduce a project management tool into your workflow? In this episode, I guide you through determining when you’re ready for a project management tool. I discuss what to look for, how to choose one that addresses your specific needs, and the essential steps to ensure your writing process will benefit from the tool. Building on the skills I covered last week in part one, I’ll help you understand how to select and integrate a system that will keep you organized and productive. If...

269: [Project Management Series] Project Management Skills Versus Tools Part 1 (Re-Release EP 209)

Academic Writing Amplified

Are you stuck in a cycle of trying out new project management tools—Trello, Asana, Notion—only to abandon them weeks later? You're not alone. No tool will save your writing or publication pipeline if you haven't first developed core project management skills. In this episode, I explain why building project management skills must come before adopting a project management tool. If you're feeling overwhelmed with your writing tasks, due dates, or collaborative projects, it’s not because you haven’t found the “right” app—it’s because foundational skills like discernment and time...

268: [Project Management Series] How To Approach Your Writing Like A Project Manager (Re-Release EP 3)

Academic Writing Amplified

Welcome to a brand-new series on Academic Writing Amplified - project management for academic writing! Over the next few episodes, I’ll guide you through how to treat your writing like the complex, ongoing project it truly is. I’ll show you how to build systems that help you manage multiple due dates, balance competing responsibilities, and stay in control of your writing pipeline—without burning out or constantly reinventing the wheel. In this first segment, I’m laying the foundation. I walk you through the two most important building blocks of academic writing project...

Bonus: The Importance Of Navigate In Late Career With Lauren McCubbins

Academic Writing Amplified

Dr. Lauren McCubbins shares her journey inside the Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® 12-week program. She discusses the importance of continuous learning and the value of a supportive community. We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®! Check out the program details and start your application process . CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Cathy’s...

267: Community In The Midst Of Chaos

Academic Writing Amplified

If academia has ever made you feel isolated, overwhelmed, or like you are the only one struggling to "figure it all out," you're not alone. In this episode, I dive into the deep-rooted loneliness that many academics experience, particularly around writing and publishing. With years of experience coaching academic women and non-binary scholars, I explore how vulnerability and community are essential for sustainable success in academia. If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in writing due dates, unsure how to unclog your publication pipeline, or just tired of doing it all alone, this...

Bonus: "My Situation Is Unique But Our Problems Are The Same”: Finding Community In Navigate

Academic Writing Amplified

Katelyn joined Navigate under unusual circumstances: she was trying to figure out the transition into her assistant professor role, after having been a doctoral student and a full-time researcher at the same institution. She wanted support figuring out her academic mission (especially how it would be different from her advisor’s and P.I.’s), and how she could publish her backlog of papers while carving out her own research area. Within the supportive Navigate group, she found that. Though her circumstances were different, her core problems were the same as the other in her cohort: clarity...

266: You Are Equipped To Meet This Moment

Academic Writing Amplified

In a time when higher ed feels like it’s unraveling—when grant freezes, ideological pressures, and job insecurity are shaking the foundations of academia—it’s easy to feel helpless. But you are not powerless. You are equipped for this moment, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. In this episode, I offer a grounded, honest, and empowering message for academics navigating today’s tumultuous social and political climate. This isn’t about toxic positivity—it’s about recognizing the real threats facing our institutions and careers while reclaiming our agency, skills, and purpose....

More Episodes

In today's episode, I welcome Dr. Becky Dawson back to the podcast. Dr. Becky has chosen to direct her academic work to public scholarship. She's one of my most inspiring clients, and her journey shows how public-facing scholarship can be a career-defining move and a way to make real, tangible impacts on the community. From regular TV segments to hosting live Q&A sessions on social media, Dr. Becky has built a reputation as a trusted voice in epidemiology and public health.

Dr. Becky shares her transition from traditional academic work to public scholarship, exploring how she successfully pitches this work to her university by aligning her efforts with her academic mission. If you are considering stepping into public scholarship, this conversation offers practical advice on juggling impact, visibility, and university dynamics. Tune in to hear Becky's inspiring story and learn how you can get your academic work and academic vision to the people whose lives you will make better through your work.

For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast/254.

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Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Get on the waitlist here!
Cathy’s book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that’s going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here!
If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It’s a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.

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