Welcome. This blog chronicles my experiences in academia, alongside reflections on raising a child with a chronic illness and reading feminist dystopian fiction. This page provides an overview of the blog since my first post in November 2016.

Here are a few of my recent favourite posts: Blogging as a loose-fitting garment, Heterotopias in higher education, Details optional and, in the Over a Cuppa reflection series, Don’t be the wizard behind the curtain.

My previous favourite posts: A letter to my future self, stories we tell ourselves, goals for today and contaminated time.

• A new look for the blog in its sixth year

In 2021, I commissioned artist and (former) colleague Fidel Fernando to create a new look for the Slow Academic. In this guest post, he describes the process of creating an image for the blog. What I enjoy about this reflection is that Fidel took the challenge as an opportunity to learn and embrace slowness, but I find it uncomfortable reading!

• Two years on – on the second anniversary of this blog

I started blogging once I had secure work, when I had time and space and energy to write. I had been an avid blog reader for many years, and was searching for a blog that explored difficult questions about slow academia in relation to the politics of higher education, university governance, academic roles and identities, and academic activism. I couldn’t find this in the one place, so I decided to start this blog.

• A year in first lines – a summary post after one year

I love the start of a new year. There’s something delicious about the beginnings of things—books, semesters, people—don’t you think?

• Why slow? – on things that matter more than work

Work matters – it has to matter because sometimes it takes me away from what matters more.

• Slow privilege – sometimes slow sucks

The value of slow academia lies in its emphasis on care and well-being; its risk lies in reinforcing the inequities of academia.