Daphne Penn
@daphnempenn.bsky.social
Asst. Professor doing academia differently • Deep work disciple democratizing academic knowledge and spaces • Southern girl writing to change the world • Sociologist writing a book about race, immigration, and schooling in the U.S. South
I’m super excited about my latest candle creation “Progress in Prose” for my new YCC Writing Focus Work Kit. Inspired by my cousin who loves peppermint and inspired me to embrace a journaling practice (it was a struggle!). I’m using this kit later this week during a writing retreat with friends!
This headline was the entire point of the crusade against DEI:
I started reading Parable of the Sower again. I read it years ago and never stopped thinking about it. Octavia Butler was truly prophetic.
So Duke is shutting down a legacy scholarship for Blacknstudents and the right admits they plan to win by silencing Black people And not a thing is happening ing to stop it t.co/ox8lUNhIFq
Duke ends full-ride scholarship program for select Black students in wake of affirmative action ruling
The scholarship is named in honor of Reginaldo “Reggie” Howard, Duke’s first Black student government president who died in an automobile accident during his sophomore year in 1976.
t.co
While discussing the data cleaning module, my new research assistant asked a great question about filler words and false starts in interview transcripts. I used the example below to discuss how pauses, false starts, self-corrections, and filler words can sometimes be a valuable source of data.
I'm teaching qual methods this semester and I couldn't be more excited. The course aligns w/my efforts to build my lab, which is now 5 members deep. My newest RA feels ready to dive in bc of the training modules I created. Eventually, I hope to share them with other qual PIs who need to onboard RAs.
There isn't a time management system in the world that will save you if you aren't in tune with your own values, strengths, and eccentricities. You can’t design your life around someone else’s values (or at least you shouldn’t). It’s a recipe for disaster.
When it comes to Deep Work, your ‘how’ and ‘why’ might differ from mine. I encourage you to read the book and develop your own rules/approach to achieving focused success, tailored to your circumstances and values. As always, I’ll keep you posted on my progress and strategies.
Today marks the kickoff for my 3rd year of Deep Work for Focused Success. Again, I'm aiming for 750 hours dedicated to the work that brings meaning to my life. My goal is based on my life circumstances and desire to prioritize progress (since I have less control over outcomes).
Two years ago, my childhood bestie became a mommy. After giving birth, I could sense that she felt guilty that, after 23 years of shenanigans, she couldn't show up in the same way. She would occasionally apologize, assuming that I was bothered that the dynamic had changed. 1/
In case you need to hear this: trust the narrative your brain has been telling you.
Although I reduced hours spent on course prep, it wasn't until this weekend that I realized how much mental space teaching had been occupying. With no class this week, I finally had the mental bandwidth to start thinking about and actively transforming my house into a home.
This semester (and life in general) has been so wild that I didn’t know there was a new season of Survivor. It is the only show on TV that I watch live, and was my primary motivation for taking adult swim lessons (so that I can compete one day). Now I’m thankful that I have something to binge watch.
I am knee-deep in reviewing interview transcripts - like, listening to the recordings and copy-editing but also LISTENING - and I have to say, this work is unbelievably time consuming but also, I am so lucky to get to hear these voices.
For students in the final push of prepping grad school apps, I will be accepting a doctoral student to join me in the fall of 2024! If you want training in youth critical consciousness development, critical theory, and longitudinal methodology, apply! peabody.vanderbilt.edu/academics/ph...
Community Research and Action (Ph.D.)
Interested in community psychology, community development, social program evaluation, organizational change, health or mental health policy, prevention, urban change and social policy? Join an intelle...
peabody.vanderbilt.edu
I've decided that I'll work for 30 more minutes and then reward myself by taking the rest of the month off. I deserve it! ☺️
If no one comes to my house tonight, I’m going to be so MAD at myself for eating all this candy.
My book editor sent me feedback just before my end-of-the-month PUSH session to "Prioritize Unexpended Scholarly Hours.” My PUSH goal quickly went from finishing an IRB to revising the first chapter of my book. With solid recommendations, I made so much progress. This book is happening y’all.
Every voice has its unique power. By not sharing our own authentic perspectives, we sell ourselves short. You can't imagine how many people you'll inspire when you embrace, trust, and lend YOUR unique voice.
My time at Penn Sociology would not have been the same without @rsbaker.bsky.social, who took me under her wing. She still continues to support me as I move beyond the idea that everything has to be perfect before it's ready for the world.
Only 2 more levels to unlock to unleash my superpowers: 1 - Overcoming FOMO ✅ 2 - Accepting I'm not everyone’s cup of tea ✅ 3 - Loving people from afar ✅ 4 - Enforcing boundaries ✅ 5 - Tolerating others’ disappointment w/me 6 - Truly following my intuition
While analyzing data, I stumbled across a gem from a 70+ year old interviewee. His words really hit home for me as I strive to reconnect with my mission of democratizing knowledge. More than anything, they reinforce my duty to those who entrusted me with their stories.
Daphne Penn@daphnempenn.bsky.social · 3y agoWhile taking in this week's news, I found myself asking: "What's the point?" Most things on my plate feel insignificant when I look at the big picture. I woke up w/ a Nina Simone quote on my mind and decided to spend the day reconnecting w/ my purpose. Maybe her words will resonate with some of you.
I've overhauled my self-care routines this year, aiming to go beyond surface-level practices that offer temporary comfort. Weekly sessions with a counselor, physical therapy to address real damage to my body, and firmer boundaries have been transformative for my well-being.
While taking in this week's news, I found myself asking: "What's the point?" Most things on my plate feel insignificant when I look at the big picture. I woke up w/ a Nina Simone quote on my mind and decided to spend the day reconnecting w/ my purpose. Maybe her words will resonate with some of you.
Learned so much from @daphnempenn.bsky.social's talk in lab meeting about how students navigate school-based stigma. Also learned that many students have strong school-based identities which was new to me. Thank you so much for visiting! More here: daphnepenn.com. #PsychSciSky #DevPsyc 🧪
I've been experimenting with my work routine with the aim of setting a pace that feels sustainable. I’m still not a morning person, but at this point, waking up early seems like the only way to make time for my writing. I'm in my Toni Morrison "before the light" era and I love that for me🧵 1/4
I'm starting to reflect on Sept. (my 1st full month of balancing teaching, writing, and collaborative work). The best decision I made for myself was to "sit down somewhere" (no travel, limited weekend plans, etc). Doing so allowed me to reestablish habits and figure out a sustainable work routine.
