Condensed concepts

 Occasionally The Economist publishes nice graphs capturing social and economic trends. Here is one. It is part of a nice article Academic w...

 Until a few years ago I had never engaged with or received feedback from my writing from a professional editor. This is because the only ge...

Some authors make use of  epigraphs  in their books. An epigraph is a short quotation at the beginning of a chapter that aims to set the sta...

 I have never written a book before. Hence, I have never written a preface. For what it is worth, according an article on Masterclass.com, W...

When considering a writing project it is good to think about the nature and feasibility of the project. Here my focus is not on projects a t...

Writing a paper is hard work. Writing a paper that is clear, engaging, and accurate is even harder. After you have written a draft or are re...

One of the most basic skills needed to succeed, or even survive, in professional life is to be able to write well. This is true whether you ...

I was asked for an update on this. The challenges are formidable, but not insurmountable. Here are slides from a talk on the subject. As ...

Since I am working on a Very Short Introduction (VSI) to condensed matter physics I am looking at a lot of writing about science for popular...

I have written a first draft of a chapter introducing phase diagrams and phase transitions to a layperson. I welcome any comments and sugge...

How would you answer this question if you were asked by a non-expert who likes to learn and understand new things? For example, a smart hig...

I am slowly working towards writing a Condensed Matter Physics: Very Short Introduction. But first I am trying to clarify my audience and g...

Tomorrow I am giving a talk about academic publishing for a group of faculty and Ph.D students from African universities. The challenges the...

A necessary ingredient to surviving and possibly prospering in science is the ability to write clearly in English. Yet many students are not...

Are there any necessary or sufficient conditions for getting a faculty position? Previously, I suggested that a key element is actually dum...

Producing a thesis (Ph.D, Masters, or undergraduate honours) is a monumental task that can create significant stress. Here I am just going t...

In trying to turn research into an actual journal publication there are several stages at which the process can stall or be significantly de...

Here are the slides  for my talk at todays workshop on grant writing for the School of Mathematics and Physics at UQ. A rough outline of the...

I have been asked to speak at a grant writing workshop for the School of Mathematics and Physics at UQ. Here are a few preliminary thoughts...

How does one stay sane as one struggles to produce talks, lectures, grant applications, and papers? Is there some efficient methodology? ...