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The Harsh Truths of Academic Research

Three things new postgraduate researchers need to know

By Derek Jansen (MBA) and Ethar Al-Saraf (PhD)

Updated

Pick your reference style

  • APA Social sciences

    Jansen, D. & Al-Saraf, E. (2024). The Harsh Truths of Academic Research. Grad Coach. https://gradcoach.com/harsh-truths-of-academic-research/

  • MLA Humanities

    Jansen, Derek, and Ethar Al-Saraf. "The Harsh Truths of Academic Research." Grad Coach, Aug. 12, 2024, https://gradcoach.com/harsh-truths-of-academic-research/. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

  • Chicago History and arts

    Jansen, Derek, and Ethar Al-Saraf. "The Harsh Truths of Academic Research." Grad Coach. August 12, 2024. https://gradcoach.com/harsh-truths-of-academic-research/.

  • Harvard Author–date, general use

    Jansen, D. & Al-Saraf, E. (2024) 'The Harsh Truths of Academic Research', Grad Coach. Available at: https://gradcoach.com/harsh-truths-of-academic-research/ (Accessed: 2 September 2026).

  • Vancouver Medicine and science

    Jansen D, Al-Saraf E. The Harsh Truths of Academic Research [Internet]. Grad Coach; 2024 [cited 2026 Sep 2]. Available from: https://gradcoach.com/harsh-truths-of-academic-research/

  • IEEE Engineering and tech

    D. Jansen and E. Al-Saraf, "The Harsh Truths of Academic Research," Grad Coach, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://gradcoach.com/harsh-truths-of-academic-research/. [Accessed: Sep. 2, 2026].

In this episode, Dr. Ethar Al-Saraf and Dr. Amy Murdock dive into the darker truths of academic research. In it, we discuss the lack of transparency in academia, the myth that universities are always right, and the importance of self-reliance.

Overview:

00:00 Introduction
01:06 Deeper, Darker Truth #1: Universities Aren’t Always Right
02:27 Taking Ownership and Being Proactive
06:44 Deeper, Darker Truth #2: Fear of Failure
09:31 Practical Steps to Overcome Challenges
12:22 Deeper, Darker Truth #3: No Shortcuts in Academia
17:29 Planning for Excellence and Time Management
21:29 Final Thoughts

Key resources:

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Pick your reference style

  • APA Social sciences

    Jansen, D. & Al-Saraf, E. (2024). The Harsh Truths of Academic Research. Grad Coach. https://gradcoach.com/harsh-truths-of-academic-research/

  • MLA Humanities

    Jansen, Derek, and Ethar Al-Saraf. "The Harsh Truths of Academic Research." Grad Coach, Aug. 12, 2024, https://gradcoach.com/harsh-truths-of-academic-research/. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

  • Chicago History and arts

    Jansen, Derek, and Ethar Al-Saraf. "The Harsh Truths of Academic Research." Grad Coach. August 12, 2024. https://gradcoach.com/harsh-truths-of-academic-research/.

  • Harvard Author–date, general use

    Jansen, D. & Al-Saraf, E. (2024) 'The Harsh Truths of Academic Research', Grad Coach. Available at: https://gradcoach.com/harsh-truths-of-academic-research/ (Accessed: 2 September 2026).

  • Vancouver Medicine and science

    Jansen D, Al-Saraf E. The Harsh Truths of Academic Research [Internet]. Grad Coach; 2024 [cited 2026 Sep 2]. Available from: https://gradcoach.com/harsh-truths-of-academic-research/

  • IEEE Engineering and tech

    D. Jansen and E. Al-Saraf, "The Harsh Truths of Academic Research," Grad Coach, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://gradcoach.com/harsh-truths-of-academic-research/. [Accessed: Sep. 2, 2026].

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