Help us demonstrate that academia is made up of a wide variety of people, with broad-ranging passions, positions, and reasons for doing what we do. What do you wish people knew about your slice of the academic world? Choose 1-3 of the questions to answer below that would give people insight into the humanity of those who do (and have) made up the often misunderstood academy. Please limit yourself to a few sentences or a paragraph per question, and write as you might speak to a student – with patience and making your best effort to engage.

Not sure you’re “in the academy”? We seek submissions from people around the world who are currently in PhD programs, people who teach in colleges and universities, people who conduct scholarly research, librarians and administrators who work in colleges, universities, or other academic institutions, and people who used to be/do any of these things. If you currently or ever in the past identified yourself as an academic, we would like to hear from you.

We ask that you submit your name and e-mail address only so that we can contact you if we have any questions or problems with the information you have provided. We will not include names or affiliations in shared posts because the focus should be on something deeper than your credentials or work history. Please be aware, however, that you may be identifiable by photo or details you mention here – your participation and what you choose to include is entirely voluntary.