The Philosophers' Cocoon

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Job-Market Reporting Thread (2025-26)
Job-Market Discussion Thread (2026-27)

  1. When is it time to pull a paper and resubmit at a different journal. I’m a postdoctoral researcher. I’ve had…

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  • Writing sample topic & PhD/grad admissions?

    A reader writes in:

    How much does the writing sample topic matter for PhD/grad admissions? Are committees seeing a ton of AI-related papers, and if so, are you sick of it? Asking as someone at a SLAC who advises our undergrads on applications. I’m often unsure whether to have students submit their best writing (which is often on an historical topic or something unrelated to what they’re hoping to work on) or something that’s more ‘research-y’ (for lack of a better term).

    Do readers have any helpful insights to share?

    5

  • APA Job-Market Mentoring Program

    This is just a quick note that the APA announced a new Job-Market Mentoring Program today:

    The APA Job-Market Mentoring Program, run by the APA Committee on Academic Career Opportunities and Placement, pairs philosophers going on the academic job market with mentors who have recent experience of the market themselves. Its purpose is to make good job-market mentoring more equally available across the discipline. The program is formative: mentors help candidates present themselves well and navigate the process.

    Mentors and mentees will meet (over phone, Zoom, or email) several times throughout the market cycle to discuss the mentee’s plans and dossier, for a practice interview, and as otherwise needed. For more on these expectations, see the mentoring program guidance document.

    To apply to be a mentee, fill out the Mentee Application form. To apply to be a mentor, fill out the Mentor Application form. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on August 1.

    Looks like it could be a helpful resource!

    1

  • Tips for correcting proofs?

    In our new “how can we help you?” thread, a reader writes:

    Some tips on correcting proofs would be helpful. Given the number and granularity of errors that can journals sometimes introduce during the production stage, especially to punctuation and references, they really seem to require a fine-toothed comb. I find this so exhausting that I need to break up the work into multiple sessions over a few days, and even then it takes a lot of time for me just to proofread a single article to my satisfaction. I’d be interested to hear others’ typical process here, and how they make it as efficient and painless as possible.

    Do any readers have helpful tips to share?

    10

  • Tips for teaching a grad seminar?

    In our new “how can we help you?” thread, a reader writes:

    I am starting as an assistant prof in the fall, and will be teaching my first graduate seminar in the spring. I’d love to hear how you vary your teaching approach and methods with graduate students. I suspect that teaching a grad seminar won’t be all that different from teaching advanced undergrads in small seminars. But I don’t want to pitch things at too low a level, and I also want to teach in a way that recognizes that many graduate students are aspiring professional philosophers, which involves a set of skills that I might not prioritize with undergrads. I’d appreciate reflections on this, or any general advice. Thanks!

    Great query! Do readers have any helpful tips to share?

    12