The Essential Guide to Being a University Professor: Lessons from Europe: Tips for New and Experienced Academics

This little book gives short and concise insights into the central areas of activities of professors from the perspective of a university professor who has worked in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Many of the aspects emphasized will, however, be relevant and helpful for those who work in countries other than that, especially for those who live outside of Europe but wish to embark on a career as a professor in Europe. The book tells us how things work at European universities, but many of the aspects addressed in it can be transferred to other settings. It presents concrete tips on how to act in individual areas - often in a humorous and entertaining way. This book was writ- ten with several target groups in mind, for which it will be significant on different levels:

Professors...

... will be inspired to reflect on and optimize their actions.

Those who wish to start a career as a professor (especially in Europe) ...

... will learn about the exciting and challenging activities that will be part of their core activities (research and teaching) and what goes beyond that (building new structures).

Staff of professors ...

... will be able to better understand or gauge their boss's actions.

Those who are interested in the work of professors, especially in Europe, ...

... will gain insights into the tasks and everyday work life of professors.

Professors who want to build new structures ...

... will receive tips on strategic planning, reflecting on, and optimizing their actions.

Those who are affected by new structures ...

... will be able to better assess the actions of professors who are building new structures.

Those who are interested in building structures outside of university ...

... will be inspired to transfer specific strategies to a non-university context.

From the book:

Third-party funds? Third-party funds! Third-party funds. Optimizing time spent on teachingDon't take things personallyMeetings - understanding and applying strategiesFormal and informal addresses in research groupsThe soft light of long-term planningThe power of assertion and the power of obstruction Knucklehead bonusUse the chainsaw, not the fileDeveloping the forest instead of obsessing over individual trees