Articles
Find helpful articles to brush up on the practical elements of being an academic.
Green Routes to Trento: A Comprehensive Guide to Sustainable Travel Across Europe by Train
Discover the most sustainable routes to Trento with our comprehensive guide, developed in collaboration with European rail expert Jon Worth. From Italy to Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and beyond, learn how to navigate the European railway network efficiently, reducing environmental impact while enjoying convenient connections to the picturesque city of Trento.
Three Top Tips for Disseminating and Amplifying your Research
Patrick Bijsmans, Associate Professor in Teaching & Learning European Studies and Associate Dean for Education at Maastricht University's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences reflects on his academic career at the intersection of research, teaching, and leadership, influenced by his role as a programme director. Patrick discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing these responsibilities, including the impact on his research trajectory. Offering three tips for fellow academics, Patrick emphasises the importance of time management, seeking supervisor guidance, and building experience and confidence.
Tips on How to Apply for Funding Opportunities
Applying for funding can be overwhelming. Questions like ‘Where do I start?’, ‘What should go in?’, and ‘How long should the bid be?’ are very common and can make you feel unsure about the application process. Read our tips below and create a checklist for yourself to ensure you are ticking all the boxes.
Why European Studies?
Bringing together scholars from across the social sciences and into humanities, European Studies is a highly interdisciplinary field that centres around the question of Europe and the European Union. This article will describe some of the benefits of study, as well as outlining important aspects to consider when choosing a course or career in European Studies.
Chat GPT: How the controversial platform can inspire you in your PhD research and teaching, without breaking the rules.
‘Cheating’, ‘a broken education system’, or ‘unregulated dangerous AI’ might be the phrases you’d use to discuss Chat GPT’s recent emergence, but notice the software’s potential to be harnessed in academic teaching and research, and perhaps you can see the less obvious benefits…
Research Excellence Framework: A REF-erence for success?
The introduction of the current Research Excellence Framework (REF) system in 2014 marked the UK government’s commitment to supporting innovative research outputs from academics at Higher Education Providers (HEPs) and universities in the United Kingdom. Besides enabling researchers to produce quality research, REF is useful to demonstrate the benefits of research and to provide evidence for meaningful investments.
How to Best Build your Academic Profile Online
Scholars who shared their research on social media are far more likely to make valuable connections with other scholars, resulting in clear research benefits. Whether you want to expand your research networks, be a public scholar, expose your research to large demographics, or simply connect with likeminded students, here are the basics of the 3 main platforms, and some tricks, to cut out the jargon.
Open Access Journals: The Key to Research Impact?
The EU’s support for open access to scientific journals may not come as a surprise to readers. Yet, beyond its obvious benefit, that open access articles may contribute to increased innovation in the public and private sectors, there are plenty of benefits for the authors, too.
PhD Conference Guide
Ben Rosher wrote a brief guide to encourage PhDs and ECRs to attend conferences and some hints and tips to get the most out of them, from covering costs to meeting people in your field.
Tips for Prospective and Current PhD Students
This article gives thoughtful insights from UACES members to help prospective and current PhD students on their research journey. This list of tips was compiled from a survey of UACES members who have extensive experience from their own PhD journeys.
Should I Do a PhD?
Still unsure whether you should embark on a PhD? Read our article for advice.
LinkedIn as a Tool for Researchers and Academics
LinkedIn is a social media platform in popularity. Not only suitable for CEOs, managers and marketers, this tool can also be useful for academics and researchers.
To Blog or not to Blog… Why Academic Blogging is Helpful for your Career
In the age of social media, modern-day academia is taking different forms. The number of academic blogs, for instance, has increased significantly in recent years. So why should an academic take the time to blog? This article outlines the importance and benefits of academic blogging.
Tips for Publishing Journal Articles
Nat Copsey offers some tips for getting your work noticed by journal editors.
How to Get your Article Read
How do you get your article read by the right people? Paul Taggart explains.
Storytelling for Researchers in 3 Steps
Research is not only about making discoveries, but about telling the story of those discoveries too. Dorina Baltag explains how when we craft our research story, we shape our own unique voice and illustrate what our research product stands for and why and how it matters to our audience.
How to Write a Good Abstract for a Conference Paper
Getting your paper accepted for any academic conference will involve writing an abstract. Here, Albrecht Sonntag explains how to make sure yours stands out to the conference organisers.
How to Write for an Academic Blog
Blogs are increasingly relevant to researchers and, for those starting out in contributing to them, it can be useful to reflect on the differences with other outputs, writes Anthony Salamone.
Designing a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
MOOCs are a constantly evolving form of digital outreach, combining elements of education and public engagement. Anthony Salamone outlines some points to keep in mind when designing one.
Engaging with the Media as an Academic
Kathryn Simpson draws on her vast and varied experience to give her top tips for effective media engagement.
Inside and Outside Academia: Using my PhD in my Non-Academic Career
Amy Manktelow reflects on her experience working outside academia as a PhD student, and the transferable skills and opportunities she gained.
A Guide to running a Simulation on the EU Freedom of Movement
UACES, in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth, ran a series of simulations in secondary schools to raise understanding about the principles of EU Freedom of Movement.
How to Design Effective Teaching Modules
Amy Burge shares three key things to think about when designing successful modules and courses.
Reflections on Teaching in UK Academia
A more recent shift to teaching international postgraduates has shown me how much work is still to be done to truly diversify the students’ learning experience. It is hard and it is humbling.
Online Learning also Happens when you’re Not Around
How to design effective interactions with your students online.
Creating Connection when Teaching Online
The move to online teaching across higher education due to Coronavirus comes with many challenges.
Race, Racism and Identity in Europe and in the Academy: A DIMES Reading List
As part of the Diversity, Inclusion and Multidisciplinarity in European Studies project (DIMES), UACES and the project advisory board have put together this reading list on racism in Europe and the Academy.
The Six Reincarnations of Research-Led Teaching
Olga Burlyuk (Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) and Ghent University) reflects on six types of research-led teaching.
The Great Benefits of Attending Academic Conferences
Why do academics go to conferences? What are the benefits for your research and your career? Miguel Otero-Iglesias explains.
Turning Your PhD Thesis Into a Book: A Publisher's Top Tips
Want to turn your PhD thesis into a book, but not sure where to start? Claire Maloney (Routledge) gives her advice.
How to Produce a Podcast
Academic podcasts are a useful tool for public engagement and a cheap way to reach new audiences. Here, Andreas Müllerleile, explains how to get started with your first audio or video podcast.
Preparing to Present at an Academic Conference
Heidi Maurer sets out some suggestions — 3 Be’s — to help you enjoy and make the most of your conference presentation.
How I Published a Book… or Another 2 Years of Solitude
You’ve finished your PhD thesis and successfully defended it. But how do you go about turning it into a book? Toni Haastrup explains her own journey from PhD to book.
How to Write for a Non-Academic Audience
The most useful piece of advice is simple yet effective: practice. Anyone who wants to master the art of non-academic writing needs to do it regularly.
Tips and Tricks for Academic Networking
Networking is becoming an increasingly important skill for academics. Christopher Huggins shares his tips and tricks for postgraduates and early-career researchers.