Under pressure: Becoming the good enough academic

Abstract

Early Career Researchers (ECRs) often face enormous pressures in academia, particularly in the relentless pursuit of being perceived as a “good” academic. Drawing from personal experiences, I recount a moment of acute realization: I responded to an email requesting further manuscript revisions all the while I was undergoing a medical procedure. I focus on how ECRs often go to extreme lengths to meet professional expectations by tracing my own journey – from completing PhD studies to navigating academia. Reflecting on publishing demands, attending conferences, and seeking mentorships, I critique toxic cultures that not only valorize overwork but also ignore the detrimental impact it can have on physical and mental well-being. I also examine the implicit and explicit pressures to conform to academic norms, arguing for a re-evaluation of what it means to be a “good” academic. Overall, I call for creating a more supportive and sustainable academic culture as we grow to embody a good academic.