How to be an Academic Superhero

This thoroughly revised second edition draws on the author’s decades of observations and experiences in academia, providing insight and responding to the challenges of fostering a successful academic career. Written in a clear and concise style, the book provides fully updated, forthright and practical counsel on achieving and maintaining a successful, balanced career amidst today’s intensifying institutional needs and demands. Iain Hay offers a deep understanding of academic career development from PhD to retirement and in this book addresses a wide range of areas such as writing compelling job applications, handling job offers, academic networking, preserving your public reputation, working with research teams, and how to undertake productive sabbatical leave. The breadth of coverage in this updated book ensures that it will be an excellent resource not only for students and early career academics striving to understand how to establish and cultivate an excellent career path, but also to more senior scholars who are mentoring post graduate students and junior colleagues whilst working to sustain their own careers.

‘The book’s new edition revisits and builds on the insightful and actionable advice previously given in the already solid first edition. Notably, it adds more nuance to its content, which will make it even more relevant to academics outside of higher education institutions located in English-speaking countries.’, ‘In the context of increasingly challenging and precarious times in higher education, this highly readable 2nd edition offers valuable and insightful advice based on experience and research for lecturers at any stage of their career to reflect upon as they seek to navigate and sustain rewarding and balanced academic careers.’, ‘Written as an accessible and thoughtful guide, How to be an Academic Superhero is an essential resource for navigating the many stages of an academic career. From the pre-Ph.D. school selection stage through tenure and retirement, Iain Hay exposes the frequently hidden pathways and challenges of an engaged and successful academic career by emphasizing the importance of planning and imagining one’s individual trajectory while also highlighting the importance of maintaining broader life balance., How to be an Academic Superhero provides relevant examples, current resources and a concise set of strategies for successfully navigating each career stage. Although much is written about early career stages, many fewer resources exist for traversing mid-and-later career opportunities and challenges. Iain Hay leverages his deep experiences across multiple positions in the academy and clearly and concisely distils the essential elements of a well-rounded academic career.’, ‘An academic career is an increasingly challenging one, and professional success clearly requires a truly vocational level of commitment. In this comprehensive work, Professor Iain Hay, himself a decorated academic superhero, provides a comprehensive and practical guide to realizing excellence in the multiple and complex roles that an aspiring academic must fulfill.’

Iain Hay, Academic Dean, Australian Institute of Business and Matthew Flinders Emeritus Distinguished Professor, Flinders University, Australia