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Let’s cut to the chase: the traditional academic path of “publish or perish” isn’t working for everyone. In fact, it’s stressing many people right out. Many professors and senior researchers that I speak with online feel trapped, struggling to secure funding, produce impactful research, and build a fulfilling career. We all juggle teaching, mentoring, and service obligations. And that’s just the tip of the professional iceberg. It’s easy to feel like you’re running on a treadmill, going nowhere fast, with all the enjoyment sucked out of your career. Well, ain’t that a kick in the head.
But what if, in a shocking twist of fate, there was a less painful option? A framework that goes beyond the narrow focus on publications and empowers you to take control of your career trajectory?
Let me introduce you to the 5F Faculty Success Framework — my model designed to help you break free from crude conventions, push your field forward, and create the academic life you envision.
The 5F Framework
The 5F framework addresses five crucial areas for academic success: Funds, Findings, Footprint, Fellowship, and Fame. Let’s break down each one:
1. Funds
Money fuels research. Securing funding is essential for conducting meaningful projects, supporting graduate students, and building a strong lab or research program. Success often hinges on identifying opportunities, writing those persuasive proposals, and managing budgets effectively.
One major tip I have here is to diversify your funding sources. Relying on one single type of funding can limit your research potential. Look beyond traditional grants to include industry partnerships, philanthropic foundations, and internal university funding.
2. Findings
Publishing remains vital, but quality always outweighs quantity. I would aim to produce work that addresses significant questions, advances my field, and even something that inspires meaningful dialogue.
The best way to start is by setting ambitious research goals. Don’t focus solely on adding publications to your CV, but think about how your research can address the critical challenges in your field. Impact should guide your research from the beginning.
3. Footprint
Visibility matters more than ever in today’s interconnected world. A strong professional identity gets your work beyond the boundaries of your institution and reaches the audiences that need it most.
I would do this via social media. Platforms like X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube allow you to share your research, start discussions with peers, and amplify your findings to a broader audience. Social media is a powerful tool for increasing both your visibility and influence.
4. Fellowship
Academia can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. Building a strong network of mentors, peers, and trainees is essential for both your professional success and your personal well-being. It’s just great to hang with the right kind of hobbits, Gandalf.
Start by seeking mentorship, but also develop a peer network for collaborations on research articles (often with people you meet at conferences). Generosity is vital in academic communities. Mentoring graduate students and junior colleagues not only strengthens your own network but also supports the next generation of scholars. Invest in these relationships through genuine support.
5. Fame
Yes, fame sounds kind of silly, but I needed another F here, you feel me? Without the right impact, your work just goes to waste unseen. Increasing your recognition and influence lets you shape the direction of your field and mentor others.
Serving in professional organizations, editorial boards, or review panels gets your visibility up. I also recommend to apply for awards, fellowships, and honorary appointments that recognize your contributions to the field.
The 5F Faculty Success Approach offers a fresh perspective on academic achievement. Instead of being trapped in the publish-or-perish cycle, my framework prioritizes thinking big about your impact. It’s about doing work that matters — research that sparks real conversations, teaching that transforms students’ understanding, and scholarship that extends beyond journal pages into meaningful change.
Instead of publishing papers no one reads, share one fresh and radical idea every month with your network, build a devoted following in your niche, speak at conferences with impact. Papers don’t change minds. But people do.
Additional Materials
Here's a PDF cheat sheet, a bonus video, and the audio for this:
