Practical advice for every step of an academic career, from preparing lectures and networking to tenure, promotion and post-tenure review.
You describe a course as “flipped,” and the reader nods. But what have they understood? Maybe they picture videos before class. Maybe they picture group work. The label alone doesn't explain the teaching contribution you're…
Read articleThe videos are uploaded, the readings are linked, and the modules finally open in the right order. Moving a course online can involve so much practical work that finishing the setup feels like the whole accomplishment. When…
Read articleThe first year, you revised an assignment. The next year, you changed the feedback process. Then you adjusted the sequence again after seeing where students still struggled. Each annual report made sense on its own. Put together…
Read articleYou've kept up with the annual reports. Now the mid-tenure file asks you to look across several years, and simply stacking those reports doesn't seem to answer the bigger question: where is this work heading? That's a useful…
Read articleLast year's goal sounded good: improve teaching, publish more, and contribute to the department. Now you're writing the next annual review and trying to decide whether you achieved it. You did a lot. But the goal doesn't give you…
Read articleYou finally submit the manuscript. It took months of analysis, revisions, and coordination, so putting it on your review report feels good. But a rushed summary can turn “four manuscripts at different stages” into “four…
Read articleThe course is ready, and the finished syllabus looks almost deceptively simple. A few pages can't show the meetings, the abandoned ideas, the assessment you rebuilt, or the hours spent getting the course site into shape. When…
Read articleYou need examples of student work for your teaching file. The strongest paper is an obvious candidate. It's polished, thoughtful, and pleasant to read. But before you attach it, ask a harder question: what will this example…
Read articleYou open the evaluation report and go straight to the overall score. Of course you do. One number feels easier to understand than pages of tables and comments. But when you put that number in an annual review, the reader needs…
Read articleYou want the reader to know you care about teaching. So you start writing about engagement, student success, and creating a supportive learning environment. None of that is wrong. But three paragraphs later, the reader still…
Read articleOne short email a week with the newest CVfolder articles, for everyone with a CVfolder account. Sent only when there is something new; switch it off any time.
The weekly email comes with a free CVfolder account, together with your own academic portfolio.
Build an academic portfolio you can share with a link or export to PDF, free with your .edu email.
Create your free portfolio