We like to share what we call "snapshots" from time to time, brief reflections from a particular moment of the year in the life of an ESN author or member. We hope these glimpses of God's work in the lives of fellow academics are encouraging to early career scholars as they navigate the calendar of the academic year and the everyday calling of following Christ in their work and lives. Today we share some thoughts on the end of summer by literature professor Angela O'Neal. You can read her previous posts here. … [Read more...] about In June or January: The Myth of Summertime (Summer Snapshot 2018)
Life in the Academy
Science Corner: Giving Thanks for 6 Years of ESN Science Blogging
Next month will be 6 years that I've been blogging about science and related topics for the Emerging Scholars Network. Which means that just about exactly 6 years ago, Tom Grosh called me up and invited me to write for the blog. Tom and I have been friends for much longer, since I was freshman at Carnegie Mellon and he was a fledgling InterVarsity campus staff worker. He and his family have done so much for me and mine over the years that I knew I should at least give it a try. Plus, I had already started toying with … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Giving Thanks for 6 Years of ESN Science Blogging
I Found a Postdoc in the Sciences: Now What? (Pt 2)
The most popular Emerging Scholars blog post is "Finding a Postdoc in the Sciences: Nailing the Interview." It's part of a larger series on finding a postdoc which is also frequently visited. We figured it was time for a follow-up on what to do once you've found the postdoc you were looking for. … [Read more...] about I Found a Postdoc in the Sciences: Now What? (Pt 2)
I Found a Postdoc in the Sciences: Now What? (Pt 1)
Let's be honest: postdocs occupy a weird, liminal space in the path of the scholar. Is it a job? Are postdocs students? I was once told that my department considered postdocs students when it meant they didn't have to provide faculty benefits, and it considered them special faculty when it meant they could withhold student benefits. We never even really bothered to give postdoctoral fellowships a real name; we basically just call them "that thing you do after you finish your doctorate but before you get a real job." … [Read more...] about I Found a Postdoc in the Sciences: Now What? (Pt 1)
A Prayer for Those Finishing a Semester
The staff and volunteers of ESN seek to be attuned to the rhythms of the academic year and the spiritual rhythms of our lives with God. One of the main goals in how we set up our blog content is to provide spiritually invigorating content that understands the rhythms of the academic year. Today, as many people are nearing the end of their semesters, we offer a brief prayer by ESN Writer/Editor Hannah Eagleson. If you're looking for more spiritual exercises suited to this time of year, Hannah also wrote a brief … [Read more...] about A Prayer for Those Finishing a Semester