Dr. Richard Huysmans' Podcast

Have you turned your PhD topic or experiences into a small business? How did you do it? I was an entrepreneur before it was cool. Before being an innovator or being agile was a thing. I was an entrepreneur when it was called owning your own business. Being self-employed. For some, there’s an attraction to the idea of turning some or all of your PhD into your job. And that was what I did. Here, I talk about the steps that I think are necessary to go from PhD to business. Link to transcript: https://drrichardhuysmans.com/turning-your-research-into-your-business-3/

We are constantly told to self-reflect. But if you’re not in the practice of it, reflection can be really hard. In his book 20 Questions for Humans, Craig Harper helps readers do just that – answer 20 questions that will help them self-reflect. In this blog, I look at each question Craig poses and suggest the equivalent in the context of your PhD or research. Link to transcript: https://drrichardhuysmans.com/twenty-questions-for-humans-who-are-studying-a-phd-3/

Five transferable skills for all PhD students: Problem solving. Project management. Written communication. Oral communication. Presentation skills. Be careful when identifying your transferable skills from your PhD – not all are created equal. Link to transcript: https://drrichardhuysmans.com/five-skills-i-can-use-to-develop-my-career-beyond-my-phd-2/

As an academic, at some point you’ll need to take your research social. If you like pictures, use Instagram. If you like writing, use LinkedIn. If you like video, use YouTube and then share. If you want to connect with other academics, use Twitter. If you want to engage with the general public then Facebook or Instagram will be better. LinkedIn will be best for getting industry partners.   How did you come to choose the social media channels you are on? Link to transcript: https://drrichardhuysmans.com/how-to-select-a-social-media-channel-2/

PhD students have some of the poorest mental health of ANY professional – inside or outside research. Even worse, the turbulence associated with science and research careers does not make things easier. Thus, building resilience and copying strategies before you need them will be important to long-term health and success. Here are 6 strategies - note your thoughts, analyse your thoughts, be mindful, note good things in your life, have a balanced life, live in alignment with your values.

With all of the trouble being faced by universities and researchers, I go thinking about the things I would do if I were a vice-chancellor for a day. I made a list of 11 items. The cover gender equity, PhD training and recruitment, staff development, and the allocation of IP ownership. You can hear more on my podcast. Link to transcript: https://drrichardhuysmans.com/if-i-were-a-vice-chancellor-2/

Leaving academia isn’t easy. Especially if that’s what you’d thought you’d do your whole life. So, although this post won’t help you deal with the emotional side of leaving, it does offer 38 practical things you can do to help make the transition easier. Link to transcript: https://drrichardhuysmans.com/thirty-eight-things-to-help-you-transition-out-of-academia/

Competitive research grants aren’t getting any easier. One way to address the problem is through finding and working with an industry partner. Imagine if you spent the same time building an industry connection as you did write a grant….? What would that world look like? How could/would you make that happen? Link to transcript: https://www.drrichardhuysmans.com/using-your-network-to-establish-industry-connections-2/

Different people will have their own ideals. What and how they want to build a career. But what I can say in all cases, making the opportunity (rather than waiting for it) will be a faster path to your success. And, in many instances leaving a job and an employer has FAR more upside than downside..   So, if you’re wanting more from your job, career or business, start making it happen.   In this podcast I go through three career building cases studies. Link to transcript: https://www.drrichardhuysmans.com/building-your-career-by-leaving-your-employer-2/

COVID has taught us so much. Including the value of a good plan. And the value of getting rid of old plans when they no longer suit us. One planning technique often named, but rarely implemented well is the strategic plan. If you’ve often wondered what’s the difference between a plan and a strategy. Or what the differences are between a strategic, business or operational plan – come along to to this workshop!

Four responses to things changing in research: Turn around and go home – Essential forget the goal for now. Wait it out – Do nothing. Take a different path – See if someone can help fill the gaps. Adjust your goal and therefore your route – Change approach.   All 4 are valid. All 4 are useful. And all 4 need to result in a change to your research plan. Link to transcript: https://www.drrichardhuysmans.com/when-to-change-your-research-plan-2/ 

If you're finding your current project or planning approach is not effective. If you're finding you're not getting the stuff you want to do done, then you need to change something. Change what you do or change your plan. If you want to improve your project management and planning game try these 3 things: Have plans that cover different timeframes. Follow routines to make progress (rather than setting goals to hit). Make tasks small and easy enough that it is hard to not do.