Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD – Details, episodes & analysis

Join the Papa PhD Skool community ! Welcome to this new episode of "Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD" where we delve into the transformative shifts in academia and beyond. In today's episode, "Generative AI: Opportunities and Caveats in Academia," David Mendes sits down with Priten Shah, an expert in  the application of generative AI in education technology. In their conversation, David and Priten explore the rapid evolution of generative AI, from its early implementations in projects like Sanskrit language processing to the watershed moment of Chat GPT's release in November 2022.They unpack the profound implications of AI in education—highlighting both its immense potential for personalized learning and mastery education, and the ethical concerns it brings, such as plagiarism and over-reliance on AI-generated data, and Priten shares insights into specific AI tools like Perplexity and Elicit for academic research, elaborating on practical applications of AI in creating tailored educational experiences.As we navigate through the benefits and challenges posed by AI, we also examine the crucial need for educators to receive proper training and support to integrate these technologies effectively. So, tune in as we explore how generative AI is revolutionizing the academic landscape while weighing its caveats with careful consideration. Plus, don't miss Priten's thoughts on maintaining authenticity in AI-assisted work and the future of education technology.Enjoy the episode! PRITEN SHAH is CEO of Pedagogy.Cloud, which provides innovative technology solutions to help educators navigate global challenges in a rapidly evolving world. He is the author of Wileys Jossey-Bass publication, AI & The Future of Education: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.Priten is also the founder of the civic-focused nonprofit United 4 Social Change. He has a B.A. in philosophy and an M.Ed. in education policy from Harvard University. What we covered in the interview:  Revolutionizing Education with AI: Priten Shah discusses the promising applications of generative AI for mastery learning and standards-based learning, highlighting how AI can create personalized practice exercises tailored to students' unique needs and interests.Balancing Benefits and Risks: While AI holds great potential, Priten emphasizes the importance of skepticism and ethical considerations. He warns against over-reliance on AI-generated data for research without proper cross-verification and highlights the need for clear guidance on ethical usage.Empowering Educators and Students: Through tools like socret.ai and various AI research aids like Perplexity and Elicit, AI can significantly support the writing and production processes in higher education, enhancing clarity and efficiency while maintaining human oversight.🔗See the resources section below for links! This episode’s resources: Facebook: Pedagogy CloudWebsite: Pedagogy.cloudWebsite: Pedagog.aiWebsite:NotebookLM.GoogleWebsite: Perplexity.aiWebsite: Elicit.com  Leave a review on Podchaser ! Thank you, Priten Shah! If you enjoyed this conversation with Priten, let him know by clicking the link below and leaving him a message on Linkedin:Send Priten Shah a thank you message on Linkedin!Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David! You might also like the following episodes: Lexa Graham – Using Humor in ScienceAnca Bodzer –From PhD to Project ManagementAmani Said – How to Make impact with Your CareerStephani Mason – Promoting Diversity in Faculty

Join the Papa PhD Skool community ! Welcome to Season 6 of "Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD", the podcast where we dive deep into the journeys of individuals who have transitioned from academic pursuits to thriving careers in various industries. Today, we have a riveting episode featuring Anca Bodzer, a seasoned program manager specializing in the life sciences vertical. During the interview, Anca shares her insightful journey, transitioning from academia to the localization industry, and the valuable lessons she's learned along the way.In this episode, host David Mendes and Anca delve into the vital importance of authenticity and being genuine in professional interactions and interviews. Anca emphasizes how authenticity is not just a buzzword but a quality highly valued by employers. They explore the significant considerations one should make before pursuing further education or certifications, ensuring it aligns with career goals and personal values.Anca offers a detailed blueprint of her experiences as a project manager and now a program manager, shedding light on the distinctions between these roles and the transferable skills from her PhD that have been invaluable in her career. Together, David and Anca discuss the necessity of learning the language of the new industry when transitioning from academia, and the powerful impact of networking and enduring relationships.Anca's story is one of perseverance, authenticity, and the courageous decision to follow one's inner voice and core values. Whether you're contemplating a similar career move or simply curious about the crossover between academia and industry, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable advice.Join us as we traverse the path from PhD to program management with Anca Bodzer, and uncover the strategies to translate academic experience into industry success! Anca Bodzer was born and raised in Romania but she moved to Madrid, Spain in 2008 to pursue an MA in Intercultural Communication, Translation and Interpreting. Afterwards, she was awarded a PhD scholarhisp, so 15 years later, she is still living in SpainAnca Bodzer is the holder of a PhD in Translation and Interpreting and she currently works as a Program Manager specialized in the Life Sciences vertical, more precisly in Linguistic Validation of Clinical Outcome Assessments.Anca has strategically pivoted from academia into the localization industry and she has also started her own podcast Languages Surfers as a platform to bridge the gap between professionals from the localization industry and academia. What we covered in the interview: Embracing Authenticity in Your Professional Journey: Authenticity and being your true self are highly valued by employers. Genuine interactions can pave the way for meaningful professional connections and opportunities.Leveraging Transferable Skills: Skills honed during ayour PhD, such as communication, problem-solving, and independence, are highly valuable in the corporate world. Understanding how to articulate these skills in industry language is crucial for a successful transition.The Key Role of Networking: Building and maintaining authentic relationships is vital to your professional development. Networking isn't just about making connections—it's about creating lasting, genuine relationships that can provide support, mentorship, and opportunities.🔗See the resources section below for links! This episode’s resources: Podcast: Language Surfers WebsitePodcast: Language Surfers Spotify  Leave a review on Podchaser ! Thank you, Anca Bodzer! If you enjoyed this conversation with Anca, let her know by clicking the link below and leaving her a message on Linkedin:Send Anca Bodzer a thank you message on Linkedin!Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David! You might also like the following episodes: Lexa Graham – Using Humor in ScienceAndy Churchill –Pre...

In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD I bring you a treasure from the vault from season 1 of the podcast – my conversation with Joe Makkerh, who shares remarkable journey from the rigours of academic research to the pharmaceutical industry, and ultimately to becoming a business owner. Joe shares invaluable insights on the importance of being approachable, of selflessly helping others, and on the courage to seek help when you need it.In it we delve into the romanticized perception of academia often portrayed in the media versus the actual resilience needed to overcome the failures that are part and parcel of the scientific process. During our conversation we discussed the solitary nature of academic research projects and the blurred lines between personal life and work, exacerbated by the guilt associated with taking time off work—something many graduate students grapple with.We touch upon critical skills acquired during graduate studies, such as problem-solving, rapid research, and data simulation, and their lasting impact on professional life. Joe opens up about his transition from academia to industry, the value of maintaining a strong network, and the importance of continual learning and personal growth.Stay tuned as Joe recounts fascinating anecdotes illustrating the important balance between competition and cooperation in academia. This episode is packed with advice for young graduates, emphasising employability, understanding finance, and the crucial role of relationships in career success.Don’t miss this touching conversation filled with wisdom and practical tips on navigating both academic and professional landscapes. Be sure to subscribe to "Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD" for more inspiring stories and insightful discussions about life after the PhD. Joe Makkerh is a former scientist, now an entrepreneur working in high-end audio. Since finishing his PhD in cellular and molecular zoology, Joe transitioned from researcher to academic administrator to MBA student to business owner. His academic career has taken him from London to Heidelberg, to Montreal, where he now develops his business. What we covered in the interview: The Power of Asking for Help: Many graduate students struggle with seeking assistance beyond their academic work. It's crucial to realise that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Building a supportive network can make a significant difference.Transitioning from Academia to Industry: Moving from the world of academic research to the pharmaceutical industry offered Joe Makkerh valuable lessons in resilience and dealing with failure. Embracing these challenges head-on is key to personal and professional growth.Maintaining Work-Life Balance: The blurred lines between personal life and work can take a toll on health and relationships. Prioritising self-care and setting boundaries is essential for long-term success and wellbeing. This episode’s resources: Website: baetisaudio.com Thank you, Joe Makkerh! If you enjoyed this conversation with Joe, let him know by clicking the link below and leaving him a message on Linkedin:Send Joe Makkerh a thank you message on Linkedin!Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David! Leave a review on Podchaser ! Support the show ! You might also like the following episodes: Vikie Pedneault – Engaging Through ComedyAndy Churchill –Presenting for ImpactAmani Said – How to Make impact with Your CareerInes Thomas Almeida – A Winding Journey From Biology to MusicologyAs always, if you find value in Papa PhD and in the content I bring you every week, click on one of the buttons below and send some of that value back to me by becoming a supporter on Patreon or by buying me a coffee :) Support the show on Patreon ! Or buy me a coffee :)

Welcome to another collab episode of the PhD Dojo with The 2nd Lab. VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts0fpl4BXZ0 This week on the PhD Dojo, Gad Sabbatier and I answer another great question from 2nd Lab mentee Matt Campea who asks: "What are some of the biggest mistakes people make when looking for a job outside of academia?" Thank you, Matt, for bringing up this question. Blind spots do exist and are they can can be difficult obstacles to surpass, unless someone points them out to us. Gad and I give you our reflections on these mistakes in this PhD Dojo. Call for creators ! I'm looking for sidekicks to be part of the Papa PhD team! If you're interested in podcasting and social media, and want to help me with the production of Papa PhD or the PhD Dojo in any way, email me at david@papaphd.com and let's talk! Happy listening! And happy sharing! This episode’s resources: The 2nd Lab | Twitter The 2nd Lab | LinkedIn The 2nd Lab | Website If you find value in Papa PhD and in the content I bring you every week, click on one of the buttons below and send some of that value back to me :) Now with the added perk of receiving the brand new Papa PhD and PhD Dojo stickers, if you become a monthly supporter on Patreon or BuyMeACoffee! Donate safely through PayPal Support the show on Patreon ! Or buy me a coffee :) Get the Papa PhD Career Readiness Tool kit ! You might also like the following episodes: Sara Vero - Being Field-Ready for the Postdoc and Job Search PhD Dojo – When Should I Pivot to Industry? PhD Dojo – How to Gain Confidence for Job Interviews PhD Dojo – First Year PhD - Assembling the Expedition Team

Welcome to Season 4 of Papa PhD! VIDEO https://youtu.be/1hemLxGgARM Kweli Zukeri was born and raised in Falls Church, Va. He has a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication and minor in social entrepreneurship from UNC at Chapel Hill, as well as an M.S. in Psychology (2018) and Ph.D. (2021) in Developmental Psychology from Howard University. Both his master thesis and dissertation focused on exploring the impact of African-centered school-based programming on American African student racial and cultural identity, as well as American African student learning. Prior to his recent graduate studies, he also studied ancient African/Kemetic language for 2 years in Howard’s department of Africana studies, and has been a facilitator of the Egypt on the Potomac Field Trip of Washington, D.C., for the last decade. Thank you, Kweli Zukeri! If you enjoyed this conversation with Kweli, let him know by clicking the link below and leaving him a message on Twitter: Send Kweli Zukeri a thank you message! Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David! This episode’s resources: Kweli Zukeri | LinkedIn Kweli Zukeri | Twitter If you find value in Papa PhD and in the content I bring you every week, click on one of the buttons below and send some of that value back to me :) Now with the added perk of receiving the brand new Papa PhD and PhD Dojo stickers, if you become a monthly supporter on Patreon or BuyMeACoffee! Donate safely through PayPal Support the show on Patreon ! Or buy me a coffee :) Get the Papa PhD Career Readiness Tool kit ! You might also like the following episodes: Sarah Habibi - Becoming a Full-Time Science Communicator Federica Bressan – Do researchers have time for scicomm? Chris Emdin – Reimagining a More Inclusive STEM PhD Dojo – First Year PhD - Assembling the Expedition Team

Cette semaine sur Papa PhD, on parle de cette aventure qu'est de quitter son pays pour son doctorat. Avec mon invitée, Charlotte Hendryckx, on explore les choses à faire et à ne pas faire pour en faire une expérience positive et dans laquelle vous pourrez vous épanouir en tant que personne et en tant que jeune chercheuse ou chercheur. VIDÉO https://youtu.be/A7Zk8_bCWO0Neuropsychologue belge formée à l’Université Libre de Bruxelles, Charlotte Hendryckx réalise depuis septembre 2019 un doctorat Recherche et Intervention en neuropsychologie clinique à l’Université de Montréal (Québec, Canada) sous la supervision conjointe de Pr Carolina Bottari au CRIR et Pr Nadia Gosselin au CEAMS.En Belgique, Charlotte développé une expérience clinique d’évaluation et de rééducation dans son travail dans les services de neurologie destinés aux adultes au Centre Neurologique William Lennox ainsi qu’à la clinique du Bois de la Pierre. Elle a travaillé avec des populations présentant des affections neurologiques diverses, dont les traumatismes crâniocérébraux (TCC).Actuellement, Charlotte réalise sa thèse sur les comportements problématiques, comme l’agressivité physique ou verbale ou encore l’impulsivité, chez des adultes ayant subi un TCC et vivant dans la communauté. Plus précisément, elle s’intéresse aux stratégies quotidiennes qu’ils mettent en place, eux et leurs proches aidants familiaux, pour faire face et gérer leurs comportements problématiques afin de réduire les impacts associés.Charlotte accorde aussi une grande importance au transfert de connaissances et à la vulgarisation scientifique, dans son projet de thèse et sur le traumatisme crânien en général. Elle donne ainsi des conférences cliniques et je diffuse mes résultats au domaine scientifique, afin de sensibiliser le plus large public possible. Les ressources de cet épisode : Charlotte Hendryckx | LinkedIn Merci Charlotte ! Si cet entretien avec Charlotte Hendryckx t'a plu, fais-nous en part en cliquant sur les liens ci-dessous et en nous laissant un message :Clique ici pour remercier Charlotte Hendryckx sur Twitter !Clique ici pour partager avec David le principal message que tu retiens de cet épisode !Si tu trouves de la valeur dans le contenu que je t'apporte chaque semaine, clique sur l'un des boutons ci-dessous et renvoie-moi l'ascenceur :) Don sécuritaire sur PayPal Deviens supporter sur Patreon ! Ou paye-moi un café :) Tu aimeras aussi ces épisodes : Myriam Beaudry - L'importance de rencontrer d'autres chercheur.e.s pendant ton doctorat : PapaPhD.com/183Émilie Deschênes – Le doctorat, nous prépare-t-il à enseigner ? : PapaPhD.com/191Jean-Patrick Toussaint – Mieux préparer les doctorants à l'emploi : PapaPhD.com/155Catherine Cimon-Paquet – L'importance de vulgariser : PapaPhD.com/177

VIDEO Welcome to another collab episode of the PhD Dojo with The 2nd Lab.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2dmV8D9jwThis week on the PhD Dojo, Gad Sabbatier and I answer a question from 2nd Lab mentee Romane Oliverio who asks: "What are the accessible careers outside R&D?".Thank you, Romane, for a great question that allowed Gad and I to dive deep into the great variety of positions open to PhDs in the job market, from medical writing, to patent officer, to business-related careers.What about you? What did you do after you PhD?Call for creators !I'm looking for sidekicks to be part of the Papa PhD team! If you're interested in podcasting and social media, and want to help me with the production of Papa PhD or the PhD Dojo in any way, email me at david@papaphd.com and let's talk!Happy listening! And happy sharing! This episode’s resources: The 2nd Lab | TwitterThe 2nd Lab | LinkedInThe 2nd Lab | WebsiteIf you find value in Papa PhD and in the content I bring you every week, click on one of the buttons below and send some of that value back to me :) Now with the added perk of receiving the brand new Papa PhD and PhD Dojo stickers, if you become a monthly supporter on Patreon or BuyMeACoffee! Donate safely through PayPal Support the show on Patreon ! Or buy me a coffee :) Get the Papa PhD Career Readiness Tool kit ! You might also like the following episodes: Sara Vero - Being Field-Ready for the Postdoc and Job SearchPhD Dojo – When Should I Pivot to Industry?PhD Dojo – How to Gain Confidence for Job InterviewsPhD Dojo – First Year PhD - Assembling the Expedition Team

Cette semaine sur Papa PhD, j'ai le plaisir de vous apporter une exploration avec mon invitée - Émilie Deschênes - sur les défis que présente le passage à l'enseignement, après le doctorat. Pendant notre conversation, nous avons aussi abordé des sujets plus larges dans le contexte de la carrière académique et, en particulier, du doctorat. Un parcours atypique et un regard lucide sur le parcours professoral - merci, Émilie ! VIDÉO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUPCZBmDJHI?sub_confirmation=1 Émilie Deschênes, professeure à l’université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, est titulaire d’un doctorat en éducation et d’une maîtrise en administration des affaires. Elle possède plus d’une quinzaine d’années d’expérience comme enseignante et en gestion de l’éducation, plus spécifiquement dans le domaine de la gestion de l’éducation au sein des communautés des Premières nations et des villages inuits. Avant de commencer ses fonctions comme professeure à l’UQAT, qu’elle occupe depuis le printemps 2020, Émilie a consacré près de deux années à la réalisation d’un postdoctorat en management interculturel portant entre autres sur l’insertion socioprofessionnelle des Premières Nations. Aussi, ses deux champs de spécialisation portent sur la gestion de l’éducation en contexte autochtone et l’éducation et la formation à tous les ordres d’enseignement des apprenants des Premières Nations et Inuit et à la suite, sur l’insertion en emploi de ces mêmes personnes. Présentement, ses recherches concernent principalement la décolonisation (notamment des institutions scolaires québécoises), la valorisation et l’inclusion des perspectives des Premières Nations et Inuit en enseignement et la persévérance des apprenants des Premières Nations et Inuit, notamment en lien avec les transitions qu’ils vivent entre leurs communautés et les milieux urbains où ils doivent déménager pour étudier et celles vers leur milieu professionnel, pour l’emploi. Les ressources de cet épisode : Émilie Deschênes | LinkedIn Merci Émilie ! Si cet entretien avec Émilie Deschênes t'a plu, fais-nous en part en cliquant sur les liens ci-dessous et en nous laissant un message : Clique ici pour remercier Émilie Deschênes sur LinkedIn ! Clique ici pour partager avec David le principal message que tu retiens de cet épisode ! Si tu trouves de la valeur dans le contenu que je t'apporte chaque semaine, clique sur l'un des boutons ci-dessous et renvoie-moi l'ascenceur :) Don sécuritaire sur PayPal Deviens supporter sur Patreon ! Ou paye-moi un café :) Tu aimeras aussi ces épisodes : Myriam Beaudry - L'importance de rencontrer d'autres chercheur.e.s pendant ton doctorat : PapaPhD.com/183 Anne-Claire Huard – Comment tisser des liens professionnels : PapaPhD.com/181 Jean-Patrick Toussaint – Mieux préparer les doctorants à l'emploi : PapaPhD.com/155 Catherine Cimon-Paquet – L'importance de vulgariser : PapaPhD.com/175

Welcome to Season 4 of Papa PhD!To kick of this new season, I have the great pleasure of bringing you my recent conversation with someone I've been looking up to since before the launch of the podcast, someone who has been hard at work to help PhDs figure out their careers for a long time - Jen Polk or From PhD to Life!Join us on this conversation about a question many of you may have asked yourselves already: is leaving academia tantamount to being a sellout? VIDEO https://youtu.be/uFs7_zRHRIsJennifer Polk, PhD, is a career coach and educator. In addition to her work with individuals, she regularly facilitates professional development workshops and delivers presentations for graduate students and postdocs. Jen currently serves on the board of directors for CAGS, the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies. She earned her PhD in history from the University of Toronto. Visit her website, FromPhDtoLife.com, to read her writing and learn more about her other services and activities. Thank you, Jen Polk! If you enjoyed this conversation with Jen, let her know by clicking the link below and leaving her a message on Twitter:Send Jen Polk a thank you message!Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David! This episode’s resources: Jen Polk | LinkedInFrom PhD to Life | TwitterFrom PhD to Life | FacebookFrom PhD to Life | WebsiteIf you find value in Papa PhD and in the content I bring you every week, click on one of the buttons below and send some of that value back to me :) Now with the added perk of receiving the brand new Papa PhD and PhD Dojo stickers, if you become a monthly supporter on Patreon or BuyMeACoffee! Donate safely through PayPal Support the show on Patreon ! Or buy me a coffee :) Get the Papa PhD Career Readiness Tool kit ! You might also like the following episodes: Sarah Habibi - Becoming a Full-Time Science CommunicatorFederica Bressan – Do researchers have time for scicomm?Chris Emdin – Reimagining a More Inclusive STEMPhD Dojo – First Year PhD - Assembling the Expedition Team

This week on Papa PhD, I'm bringing you another great conversation from Season 2 of the show.This interview was recorded during Thanksgiving, so you might hear some background noise throughout. But please bear with us, because the advice Parag shares is pure gold. For example, we talked about Parag's experience interviewing for jobs – early after his PhD, but also in his most recent career moves. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Not everyone that enrolls into a PhD is bound to do researchNot all temperaments thrive in the academic research timeframe, in terms of results and their impact on society at largeThe positive impact being part of clubs and taking extracurricular courses can have on your mental healthParag's way of making time for extra-curricular projectsThe advantages and disadvantages of choosing a well established, tenured professor, versus a young professor vying for tenure as a PhD supervisorParag's  experience of the consulting pathThe advanteges of doing informational interviews when you don't need a jobRejections are not about your abilities, they are about a mutual fit that didn't happen + you should always ask for feedback after your application was rejectedWhy advice from a community is much more valuable than the advice you get from a single personThe job hunt is a process - you get better at it as you go Parag Mahanti received his Ph.D. in Chemistry and Chemical Biology in 2013 from Cornell University where his research was focused on nuclear hormone receptors, steroid signaling, and metabolomics. Since then he has moved careers thrice first to consulting then to finance, and currently in pharma.Outside of life sciences and biopharma strategy, Parag’s passions include music, both playing and listening, biotech startups and understanding the evolution of scientific reasoning and leadership skills. Parag takes an active interest in career progression of PhD students and has created a fast growing LinkedIn Group that currently has ~7500+ members. Parag also serves as a mentor for the Entrepreneurship Lab (ELabNYC) originally launched by the New York City Economic Development Corporation to provide mentorship to biotech/health-tech start-ups in the New York area. Thank you, Parag Mahanti! If you enjoyed this interview with Parag, let him know by clicking the link below and leaving him a message on Twitter:Click here to thank Parag Mahanti on Twitter!Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David! Parag's pearls of wisdom: “Parag – Once I came here and I enrolled into a PhD programme, I was like, "Oh! This is awesome! This is Super cool, smart thinking stuff and I can thrive in this." And I started doing that for first year and second year, and then by third year, I was like, "No way...". Like, I like the smart thinking part of it, I like the science, but I don't want to do this for the rest of my life. And I think the main reason was, I love the science. In fact, I've stayed very close to the science most of my career, but it was the impact of it, right? Like, for some reason, I always thought the stuff that I was doing, you would see maybe a return or a clinical development of it in, like, 10, 15, 20 years. So there's no immediate translation of this work. David – "Talk about delayed gratification, there, right?" Parag – Exactly!”“Parag – The same guy had told me that any job, if you don't like the interview process, chances are you won't like the job. And this is something that I continue to feel through all the career progressions that I've made, that if you don't really enjoy the process and the people you're meeting, then you're not going to like the people that you're going to work with. David – "Because they represent the culture of..." Parag – Of the industry and of the company.” This episode’s resources: Parag Mahanti | LinkedInParag Mahanti | TwitterThe Grad Grid | WebsiteThe Grad Grid en Français | ...