As a fellow female academic in STEM (stem cell biogy and biotech) I am finding this podcast so heartwarming, witty, insightful.

It makes me feel that sisterhood that comes from shared experiences. I found the show brilliantly accurate, despite of course some exaggerations. Despite working in a small UK-based university, the themes are still the same, for example: low recruiting, nonsensical restructuring imposed by high above, the struggle to get recognition, reduced time for research, lack of basics , and also so many aspects of private lives portrayed in a very relatable way. I share the love-hate for the character of Bill you all discussed about. I am recently widowed and whilst I felt the pain of the character, I found his dishevelled behaviour so awkward. An academic woman could certainly be never ‘excused’ for such stunts. But I can see how a male Prof could go away with it… right? Sandra Oh is phenomenal as usual. Once again, thanks to you fellow colleagues for this analytical narrative, a very original idea, I look forward to listening to the next episodes! All the best in your lives and careers.

Thanks for this great podcast. I really enjoyed it. So much to say here but will keep to one point. The academic experience is both universal and nation/place-specific. I did my BA at an English uni founded in the ‘60s, taught in California at a UC school, got my PhD and taught in Australia at a huge group of 8 uni, now working in Scotland at a Hogwarts-esque ancient one. Some big differences but increasingly the neoliberal model/corporatisation is collapsing these distinctions. I’d be interested to hear all of your takes on how this series is specific to New England and how it is accurate across the board. It seems to me that two universals are women bearing the brunt and quality of working life deteriorating. Also, why the few academic shows (eg Wonder Boys, Mona Lisa) that get made keep repeating the romance of the Ivy League(ish) context, and whether a show set in the more prosaic situation of say, Monash or Manchester, could have as much (or more?) affective appeal and cultural resonance.