Streamlining your research pipeline

The issue:

In academia, most of us aren’t simply working on one project at a time, completing it, and then starting anew. Such a linear approach isn't particularly productive. The most effective way to publish is to have multiple projects at various stages of completion.

But what's the challenge here?

Often, it's difficult to know which project to prioritise, when to push forward, and whether there's room to say “yes” to a new project. The last of these is particularly problematic for some, who suffer from “magpie syndrome,” constantly starting new projects without finishing the old ones. This can lead to a clogged research pipeline, or what one of my clients refers to as a "fatberg in the pipeline." You know the situation: a project gets halfway through and then stalls at a certain point, never advancing beyond the conference presentation you did eight years ago.

The Solution:

The key is to map out your research pipeline and track its progress over time. This concept gained traction in academic circles after Matthew Lebo's 2016 article. It involves listing your projects and assigning each a number representing its stage of advancement through the pipeline.

Pipeline Stages:

The stages of the pipeline I use (adapted from Lebo’s original) are visualised in the accompanying image. The idea is to accumulate a certain number of points each month. I personally aim for one point, which fits in with my life and career goals and working hours (I do not work outside of the 9-5 or at weekends).  Lebo suggests that a tenure-track professor at an R1 institution should aim for two. Your target depends on your next career milestone and how much you want to push yourself.

Benefits of Mapping Your Pipeline:

• Goal Setting: It provides a clear pace for achieving your research goals.

• Micro-goals: Breaking down the process into smaller, manageable goals (like earning another point) makes the larger goal of submitting a paper feel more attainable.

• Identifying Clogs: You can easily spot any blockages or “fatbergs” in the pipeline.

• Gamification: It turns research process into a more engaging and enjoyable process, as you aim to earn points.

The outcome is faster, more efficient research progress, and a more enjoyable, gamified research experience rather than the daunting task of writing three papers a year.

I cover this topic in detail in a webinar for The Sisterhood, my coaching membership for women in academia. Enrollment is open, and this webinar, along with others on planning your term and summer, is available once you register.