TAA Featured in Podcast on Legal Use of Textbook Images in Teaching Materials

Watch a new episode of The A&P Professor podcast featuring a chat with TAA Board Secretary and intellectual property attorney Brenda Ulrich from Archstone Law about the legal use of textbook images in teaching materials. One of the breaks in this episode encourages listeners to check out TAA membership.

The A&P Professor podcast, for anatomy & physiology faculty, is hosted by award-winning A&P professor & author Dr. Kevin Patton, who is also past-president of TAA.

Writing a Dissertation: Don’t Fall Down the ‘Rabbit Hole’ of Theory Shopping

Often, when someone begins seeking a theoretical framework for their dissertation, they take for granted the one they are already implicitly using, said writing coach and editor Dr. Dave Harris, with Thought Clearing.

“To be at the point where you’re writing your dissertation, you’ve already been a scholar in a graduate program for multiple years and have learned a lot,” he said. “A lot of people at this point go shopping for theories, thinking ‘oh, I need this person’s theory and that person’s theory,’ and they don’t sit down and say to themselves, ‘well, how do I think the world works and where did these ideas come from?’

Engaging Our Inner Critics

By Michelle Rivera-Clonch, PhD

We often hear about the hazards of an Unskilled Inner Critic and, like most things, there’s more to the story. Our Skilled Inner Critic, when called upon, promotes a writing flow that encourages us to be calm, cool, connected and creative. We have access to both Critics—it’s about the intensity and frequency that we rely upon each one to help us complete the writing project.

Getting the Most Out of the Editorial Experience

By Hannah de Keijzer

Having your manuscript edited is a chance to clarify your ideas, develop your writing craft, and make your book the very best it can be. Here are tips and prompts to help you take full advantage of this opportunity.

Your manuscript can go through several kinds of editing as it progresses from idea to publication:

  • developmental/substantive editing for structure and argument;
  • line editing for voice, clarity, and flow; copyediting for consistency and correctness; and
  • proofreading for that final cleanup of lingering errors.

Not all publishers offer editorial support at every stage.

Podcasts: Listening, Research, and a Publicity Tool

By John Bond

Podcasting is fifteen plus years old.  Whether you have been in it from the start, or it is new to you, listen up.  It is a valuable medium for published authors, aspiring writers, academics, and interesting people.

If you are not a devotee, you likely have a friend or colleague that says frequently, “I was listening to a podcast recently about…” Or they say, “Do you listen to XYZ podcast? You really should.”  I admit to being that guy.

Podcasts now cover archaeology, the Royal Family, ice hockey, the Tudors, Indian cooking, and everything in between.  I’d be interested in any topic that isn’t being covered in podcasts.

If you are new or newish to podcasting for entertainment or research but want to know more, read on. There is something here for everyone, and I have my top tip at the end!

Productivity and Confidence

By Dave Harris, PhD

The August 2024 TAA Conversation Circle on productivity reminded me of how much productivity depends on confidence. This insight can guide us: confidence can be built through practice. I offer some suggestions on building confidence, and thus productivity, through practice.

Degrees of self-confidence and behavior

Speaking generally, emotions shape our behavior: the optimist behaves as if things will work out, while the pessimist behaves as if things will not. Metaphorically speaking, the optimist will buy a lottery ticket, and the pessimist will not. The optimist submits a draft for publication, where the pessimist does not.

Self-confidence varies for each person, and, generally, the optimal degree of self-confidence lies between the extremes: too little self-confidence leads to paralysis; too much leads to arrogance and an inability to learn.  Ideally, a scholar has enough self-confidence to move forward with their projects and to present their work to others while also remaining open to correction when errors arise.