Life in academia is hard.
Let’s find a better way.

You are not alone.

I want to be clear from the start: none of us can ever fully understand another person’s experience. Still, I’ve learned through my work with hundreds of academic clients and my own 20 years as a professor and academic leader that feelings of self-doubt and overwhelm are universal.

Thankfully, we can develop the self-trust and confidence needed to create the impactful career and life we imagine. And I’d love to help you do just that.

Whether you’re looking for a sense of community and increased productivity, would like one-on-one support tailored to your particular career and context, or simply wish to peruse our videos, books, meditations, or other resources, I hope you will feel seen here. And if you’re not sure what you’re looking for, this might help.

I also hope you’ll share your ideas and experiences with me. As I continue to develop new resources and programs to help academics of all backgrounds and identities thrive, your voice is needed.

Thanks for being here, and thanks for being you.

Warmly,
Elizabeth

STANDOUT Professor Confab

The STANDOUT Professor Confab is designed to enhance productivity and wellbeing for academic researchers, from postdocs to senior scholars. With focused work sessions for enhanced accountability, group coaching sessions for social support, and workshops for professional development, the Confab provides critical structure and community.

Whether you’re struggling to carve out time for solo projects, feeling isolated in your department, or seeking tools to enhance your career and life, we hope you’ll consider participating and inviting others to join you.

  • These drop-in sessions are for focused, independent work. We begin each focused work session by greeting one another and sharing goals. Participants then work independently on projects that require concentration, with a quick progress check at the halfway point, and time for celebrating our accomplishments at the end. 

  • Ample research documents the importance of social support, yet many of us feel isolated within the academic environment. These structured conversations are designed to reduce that sense of isolation by coming together to share ideas and encouragement on topics relevant to academics. Everything shared during these sessions is confidential. 

  • Workshops provide opportunities for continued learning and positive interaction.

    Wondering what they’re like? Check out recordings of past sessions here!

What participants have to say…

  • “I was more productive writing with the group than writing by myself. Knowing that others have (similar) challenges, the informal groups also made me feel less lonely and isolated.”

  • “It gave me hope that cordial interaction with other academics is possible.”

  • “It helped me schedule out time to work on writing and research. It also gave me a group of colleagues that aren't at my school that I began to get to know. These folks are going through similar issues, questions, and concerns and it was nice to get to know them through this process.”

  • “The focused work sessions were particularly useful. It served as a good self-enforcement mechanism and actually helped me stay focused over those periods. I also found the slides for the workshop to be helpful even though I couldn't join the session.”

  • “Great to see challenges other professionals are facing in their career [and] learn how others handle them.”

  • “Participating in the pilot program allowed me to clock-in more time dedicated to my research. I have struggled with accountability, and the program helped with that.”

  • “I gained a group of colleagues that aren’t at my school who are going through similar issues, questions, and concerns.”

  • “Got a lot more work done than I would have on my own.”

  • “Learned from others on issues that they are facing that are similar to my own. Networking and building connections with other junior scholars. I feel like I could reach out to several people that I met through the program for advice, a listening ear, etc.”

Learn more about the confab

Read my books

Well on Your Way and Well in the Lead are short books designed to offer companionship and encouragement along your professional journey. They are not one-and-done guides, but are intended to be picked up whenever you’re seeking reassurance or just want to pause and reflect while charting your own personal path to success and wellbeing.