Lennart Nacke, PhD
@lennartnacke.com
🧠 Tenured brain, fresh daily takes. Maximum citations but sanity questionable. The prof your prof follows for daily research & AI takes. Quality wins. University Research Chair & Tenured Full Professor.
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Lennart Nacke, PhD
@lennartnacke.com
· Dec 6
Mini Masterclass: How to Write a CHI Paper
Join Professor Dr. Lennart Nacke for a FREE 30-minute masterclass about How to Write a CHI Paper. Become a smarter research author and master the basics of w...
www.youtube.com
The masterclass is this Saturday, Dec 7 at 11 AM Eastern.
Join here (bookmark): www.youtube.com/live/vpj2FT...
See you tomorrow.
Join here (bookmark): www.youtube.com/live/vpj2FT...
See you tomorrow.
The 72-hour revision rule changes everything:
Within 72 hours of rejection, I create a detailed revision plan.
Not the actual revisions.
Just the plan.
This prevents 2 failure modes:
1. Wallowing indefinitely
2. Rage-submitting elsewhere unchanged
The plan becomes my map when emotions settle.
Within 72 hours of rejection, I create a detailed revision plan.
Not the actual revisions.
Just the plan.
This prevents 2 failure modes:
1. Wallowing indefinitely
2. Rage-submitting elsewhere unchanged
The plan becomes my map when emotions settle.
November 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM
The 72-hour revision rule changes everything:
Within 72 hours of rejection, I create a detailed revision plan.
Not the actual revisions.
Just the plan.
This prevents 2 failure modes:
1. Wallowing indefinitely
2. Rage-submitting elsewhere unchanged
The plan becomes my map when emotions settle.
Within 72 hours of rejection, I create a detailed revision plan.
Not the actual revisions.
Just the plan.
This prevents 2 failure modes:
1. Wallowing indefinitely
2. Rage-submitting elsewhere unchanged
The plan becomes my map when emotions settle.
Your thesis isn't perfect!
Neither was your examiner's...
They know it.
You know it.
Everyone in that room has published imperfect research.
Neither was your examiner's...
They know it.
You know it.
Everyone in that room has published imperfect research.
November 27, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Your thesis isn't perfect!
Neither was your examiner's...
They know it.
You know it.
Everyone in that room has published imperfect research.
Neither was your examiner's...
They know it.
You know it.
Everyone in that room has published imperfect research.
Does your research question fail the 'So What?' test?
Your RQ needs 4 traits to survive:
1. Significance (Fill a gap)
2. Clarity (Focus deep)
3. Feasibility (Don't boil the ocean)
4. Structure (Ask "How," not "Yes")
If the spine is soft, the project crumbles.
Your RQ needs 4 traits to survive:
1. Significance (Fill a gap)
2. Clarity (Focus deep)
3. Feasibility (Don't boil the ocean)
4. Structure (Ask "How," not "Yes")
If the spine is soft, the project crumbles.
November 27, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Does your research question fail the 'So What?' test?
Your RQ needs 4 traits to survive:
1. Significance (Fill a gap)
2. Clarity (Focus deep)
3. Feasibility (Don't boil the ocean)
4. Structure (Ask "How," not "Yes")
If the spine is soft, the project crumbles.
Your RQ needs 4 traits to survive:
1. Significance (Fill a gap)
2. Clarity (Focus deep)
3. Feasibility (Don't boil the ocean)
4. Structure (Ask "How," not "Yes")
If the spine is soft, the project crumbles.
Reviewers decide in 30 seconds whether to advocate for your research proposal:
Open with this three-part structure:
[Problem in the world] + [Consequence if unsolved] + [Your specific solution angle]
Examples:
Open with this three-part structure:
[Problem in the world] + [Consequence if unsolved] + [Your specific solution angle]
Examples:
November 27, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Reviewers decide in 30 seconds whether to advocate for your research proposal:
Open with this three-part structure:
[Problem in the world] + [Consequence if unsolved] + [Your specific solution angle]
Examples:
Open with this three-part structure:
[Problem in the world] + [Consequence if unsolved] + [Your specific solution angle]
Examples:
Unexpected ways research makes your life better:
You learn to organize massive amounts of chaos.
You realize how little everyone else knows.
You become immune to criticism.
You spot fake news instantly.
Every person should write a literature review at least once.
You learn to organize massive amounts of chaos.
You realize how little everyone else knows.
You become immune to criticism.
You spot fake news instantly.
Every person should write a literature review at least once.
November 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Unexpected ways research makes your life better:
You learn to organize massive amounts of chaos.
You realize how little everyone else knows.
You become immune to criticism.
You spot fake news instantly.
Every person should write a literature review at least once.
You learn to organize massive amounts of chaos.
You realize how little everyone else knows.
You become immune to criticism.
You spot fake news instantly.
Every person should write a literature review at least once.
How I spot the winning faculty candidate...
After just one dinner conversation.
Intelligence is not the deciding factor.
Being smart alone won't get you tenure.
The problem isn't your publication list.
It’s your inability to be a colleague.
After just one dinner conversation.
Intelligence is not the deciding factor.
Being smart alone won't get you tenure.
The problem isn't your publication list.
It’s your inability to be a colleague.
November 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM
How I spot the winning faculty candidate...
After just one dinner conversation.
Intelligence is not the deciding factor.
Being smart alone won't get you tenure.
The problem isn't your publication list.
It’s your inability to be a colleague.
After just one dinner conversation.
Intelligence is not the deciding factor.
Being smart alone won't get you tenure.
The problem isn't your publication list.
It’s your inability to be a colleague.
Most researchers waste months on a systematic review
(when a rapid review would have been good enough.)
Two review types. Same question.
Completely different amount of work.
According to this paper, 14 literature review types exist.
If you get started, focus on 2 main types:
(when a rapid review would have been good enough.)
Two review types. Same question.
Completely different amount of work.
According to this paper, 14 literature review types exist.
If you get started, focus on 2 main types:
November 25, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Most researchers waste months on a systematic review
(when a rapid review would have been good enough.)
Two review types. Same question.
Completely different amount of work.
According to this paper, 14 literature review types exist.
If you get started, focus on 2 main types:
(when a rapid review would have been good enough.)
Two review types. Same question.
Completely different amount of work.
According to this paper, 14 literature review types exist.
If you get started, focus on 2 main types:
Hot PhD Tip:
Manage your supervisor.
Don’t wait for them to chase you.
Instead, send weekly updates and specific questions.
Get them to actually read your draft.
Manage your supervisor.
Don’t wait for them to chase you.
Instead, send weekly updates and specific questions.
Get them to actually read your draft.
November 24, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Hot PhD Tip:
Manage your supervisor.
Don’t wait for them to chase you.
Instead, send weekly updates and specific questions.
Get them to actually read your draft.
Manage your supervisor.
Don’t wait for them to chase you.
Instead, send weekly updates and specific questions.
Get them to actually read your draft.
Most people think learning Epistemology takes 10,000 hours.
But I can explain it to you in 30 seconds.
A quick breakdown on:
• What is knowledge?
• How do you know it?
• Why should I believe you?
Let’s dive in…
But I can explain it to you in 30 seconds.
A quick breakdown on:
• What is knowledge?
• How do you know it?
• Why should I believe you?
Let’s dive in…
November 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Most people think learning Epistemology takes 10,000 hours.
But I can explain it to you in 30 seconds.
A quick breakdown on:
• What is knowledge?
• How do you know it?
• Why should I believe you?
Let’s dive in…
But I can explain it to you in 30 seconds.
A quick breakdown on:
• What is knowledge?
• How do you know it?
• Why should I believe you?
Let’s dive in…
Ways a PhD makes your life better:
Ability to tolerate boredom.
Critical thinking skills.
Deep resilience.
Telling the flight attendant you're not that kind of doctor.
Every person should try it
(and half should quit).
Ability to tolerate boredom.
Critical thinking skills.
Deep resilience.
Telling the flight attendant you're not that kind of doctor.
Every person should try it
(and half should quit).
November 24, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Ways a PhD makes your life better:
Ability to tolerate boredom.
Critical thinking skills.
Deep resilience.
Telling the flight attendant you're not that kind of doctor.
Every person should try it
(and half should quit).
Ability to tolerate boredom.
Critical thinking skills.
Deep resilience.
Telling the flight attendant you're not that kind of doctor.
Every person should try it
(and half should quit).
You can accomplish a PhD defence if you…
• Pick a research-active supervisor.
• Don't act like a snowflake.
• Write (almost) every day.
• Narrow your topic early.
Congrats.
You are now a Doctor.
• Pick a research-active supervisor.
• Don't act like a snowflake.
• Write (almost) every day.
• Narrow your topic early.
Congrats.
You are now a Doctor.
November 23, 2025 at 7:02 PM
You can accomplish a PhD defence if you…
• Pick a research-active supervisor.
• Don't act like a snowflake.
• Write (almost) every day.
• Narrow your topic early.
Congrats.
You are now a Doctor.
• Pick a research-active supervisor.
• Don't act like a snowflake.
• Write (almost) every day.
• Narrow your topic early.
Congrats.
You are now a Doctor.
People think starting a PhD is:
• Virtuous flashes of insight.
• Coffee shop discussions.
• Intellectual purity.
What it actually is:
• Managing depression.
• Formatting citations.
• Getting things done.
That’s literally it.
• Virtuous flashes of insight.
• Coffee shop discussions.
• Intellectual purity.
What it actually is:
• Managing depression.
• Formatting citations.
• Getting things done.
That’s literally it.
November 23, 2025 at 12:16 PM
People think starting a PhD is:
• Virtuous flashes of insight.
• Coffee shop discussions.
• Intellectual purity.
What it actually is:
• Managing depression.
• Formatting citations.
• Getting things done.
That’s literally it.
• Virtuous flashes of insight.
• Coffee shop discussions.
• Intellectual purity.
What it actually is:
• Managing depression.
• Formatting citations.
• Getting things done.
That’s literally it.
Most researchers lose readers in the first 100 words.
Here’s how to write an abstract that actually gets read:
After reviewing 100+ papers,
here’s the formula I give my students.
Write an abstract that will get your paper noticed.
An abstract isn’t just a summary.
Here’s how to write an abstract that actually gets read:
After reviewing 100+ papers,
here’s the formula I give my students.
Write an abstract that will get your paper noticed.
An abstract isn’t just a summary.
November 23, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Most researchers lose readers in the first 100 words.
Here’s how to write an abstract that actually gets read:
After reviewing 100+ papers,
here’s the formula I give my students.
Write an abstract that will get your paper noticed.
An abstract isn’t just a summary.
Here’s how to write an abstract that actually gets read:
After reviewing 100+ papers,
here’s the formula I give my students.
Write an abstract that will get your paper noticed.
An abstract isn’t just a summary.
I am obsessed with learning about research methodology.
So I went and devoured 50 years of academic advice.
The result?
I walked away with 3 timeless principles
(from the greatest scholars in the world.)
Here are the golden takeaways:
So I went and devoured 50 years of academic advice.
The result?
I walked away with 3 timeless principles
(from the greatest scholars in the world.)
Here are the golden takeaways:
November 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I am obsessed with learning about research methodology.
So I went and devoured 50 years of academic advice.
The result?
I walked away with 3 timeless principles
(from the greatest scholars in the world.)
Here are the golden takeaways:
So I went and devoured 50 years of academic advice.
The result?
I walked away with 3 timeless principles
(from the greatest scholars in the world.)
Here are the golden takeaways:
There are a gazillion ways to waste time online.
(Everyone knows how to doom-scroll.)
But if you want to save time and accomplish
10x more, here are 3 tools that will make your
Internet time more productive:
(Everyone knows how to doom-scroll.)
But if you want to save time and accomplish
10x more, here are 3 tools that will make your
Internet time more productive:
November 22, 2025 at 5:59 AM
There are a gazillion ways to waste time online.
(Everyone knows how to doom-scroll.)
But if you want to save time and accomplish
10x more, here are 3 tools that will make your
Internet time more productive:
(Everyone knows how to doom-scroll.)
But if you want to save time and accomplish
10x more, here are 3 tools that will make your
Internet time more productive:
The most confident thing you can say in your viva:
"That's exactly the tension I grappled with. Given the constraint, I had three options..."
Then lay them out.
Explain your choices.
Acknowledge the trade-offs.
"That's exactly the tension I grappled with. Given the constraint, I had three options..."
Then lay them out.
Explain your choices.
Acknowledge the trade-offs.
November 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The most confident thing you can say in your viva:
"That's exactly the tension I grappled with. Given the constraint, I had three options..."
Then lay them out.
Explain your choices.
Acknowledge the trade-offs.
"That's exactly the tension I grappled with. Given the constraint, I had three options..."
Then lay them out.
Explain your choices.
Acknowledge the trade-offs.
Hot take:
You need at least 10 rejections to get academic skin.
Not thick skin that feels nothing.
Academic skin that feels all but keeps working.
Rejections 1-3:
Existential crisis
Rejections 4-6:
Anger and blame
Rejections 7-9:
Grudging acceptance
Rejection 10+:
Okay, WTF can I learn here?
You need at least 10 rejections to get academic skin.
Not thick skin that feels nothing.
Academic skin that feels all but keeps working.
Rejections 1-3:
Existential crisis
Rejections 4-6:
Anger and blame
Rejections 7-9:
Grudging acceptance
Rejection 10+:
Okay, WTF can I learn here?
November 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Hot take:
You need at least 10 rejections to get academic skin.
Not thick skin that feels nothing.
Academic skin that feels all but keeps working.
Rejections 1-3:
Existential crisis
Rejections 4-6:
Anger and blame
Rejections 7-9:
Grudging acceptance
Rejection 10+:
Okay, WTF can I learn here?
You need at least 10 rejections to get academic skin.
Not thick skin that feels nothing.
Academic skin that feels all but keeps working.
Rejections 1-3:
Existential crisis
Rejections 4-6:
Anger and blame
Rejections 7-9:
Grudging acceptance
Rejection 10+:
Okay, WTF can I learn here?
Most research dies before it ever reaches a journal
And it’s completely avoidable.
The real reason your thesis never becomes a paper
isn’t quality but bad strategy.
I’ve helped more than 100 students turn theses into accepted papers.
After 15 years supervising graduate researchers,
And it’s completely avoidable.
The real reason your thesis never becomes a paper
isn’t quality but bad strategy.
I’ve helped more than 100 students turn theses into accepted papers.
After 15 years supervising graduate researchers,
November 21, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Most research dies before it ever reaches a journal
And it’s completely avoidable.
The real reason your thesis never becomes a paper
isn’t quality but bad strategy.
I’ve helped more than 100 students turn theses into accepted papers.
After 15 years supervising graduate researchers,
And it’s completely avoidable.
The real reason your thesis never becomes a paper
isn’t quality but bad strategy.
I’ve helped more than 100 students turn theses into accepted papers.
After 15 years supervising graduate researchers,
3 must-have PhD skills everyone should know:
1. Reference Management (Zotero or bust)
2. Academic Bulls*1t Detection
3. The ability to say NEIN to extra teaching hours.
1. Reference Management (Zotero or bust)
2. Academic Bulls*1t Detection
3. The ability to say NEIN to extra teaching hours.
November 21, 2025 at 6:00 AM
3 must-have PhD skills everyone should know:
1. Reference Management (Zotero or bust)
2. Academic Bulls*1t Detection
3. The ability to say NEIN to extra teaching hours.
1. Reference Management (Zotero or bust)
2. Academic Bulls*1t Detection
3. The ability to say NEIN to extra teaching hours.
If you are 50+ and you want a PhD:
Stop screwing around.
Choose "Narrow Topic" over "World Peace."
Choose "Submission" over "Hesitation."
Choose "Finished" over "Perfect."
Choose "Writing" over "Reading."
In the short-term, you’ll look cray.
In the long term, you’ll be Dr. Whatchamacallit.
Stop screwing around.
Choose "Narrow Topic" over "World Peace."
Choose "Submission" over "Hesitation."
Choose "Finished" over "Perfect."
Choose "Writing" over "Reading."
In the short-term, you’ll look cray.
In the long term, you’ll be Dr. Whatchamacallit.
November 20, 2025 at 7:04 PM
If you are 50+ and you want a PhD:
Stop screwing around.
Choose "Narrow Topic" over "World Peace."
Choose "Submission" over "Hesitation."
Choose "Finished" over "Perfect."
Choose "Writing" over "Reading."
In the short-term, you’ll look cray.
In the long term, you’ll be Dr. Whatchamacallit.
Stop screwing around.
Choose "Narrow Topic" over "World Peace."
Choose "Submission" over "Hesitation."
Choose "Finished" over "Perfect."
Choose "Writing" over "Reading."
In the short-term, you’ll look cray.
In the long term, you’ll be Dr. Whatchamacallit.
90% of desk rejections happen for one reason.
The research question fails the "So What?" test.
The problem isn’t your literature review or methods.
It’s a research question that lacks a spine.
An excellent RQ is the backbone.
It drives your method.
It defines your contribution.
The research question fails the "So What?" test.
The problem isn’t your literature review or methods.
It’s a research question that lacks a spine.
An excellent RQ is the backbone.
It drives your method.
It defines your contribution.
November 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM
90% of desk rejections happen for one reason.
The research question fails the "So What?" test.
The problem isn’t your literature review or methods.
It’s a research question that lacks a spine.
An excellent RQ is the backbone.
It drives your method.
It defines your contribution.
The research question fails the "So What?" test.
The problem isn’t your literature review or methods.
It’s a research question that lacks a spine.
An excellent RQ is the backbone.
It drives your method.
It defines your contribution.
Me at 25:
• Unpublished
• Ambitious
• Naïve
Me at 45:
• Tenured
• Funded
• Cynical
20 years can change the whole shebang.
Don’t give up.
But maybe lower your expectations of fun stuff.
• Unpublished
• Ambitious
• Naïve
Me at 45:
• Tenured
• Funded
• Cynical
20 years can change the whole shebang.
Don’t give up.
But maybe lower your expectations of fun stuff.
November 20, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Me at 25:
• Unpublished
• Ambitious
• Naïve
Me at 45:
• Tenured
• Funded
• Cynical
20 years can change the whole shebang.
Don’t give up.
But maybe lower your expectations of fun stuff.
• Unpublished
• Ambitious
• Naïve
Me at 45:
• Tenured
• Funded
• Cynical
20 years can change the whole shebang.
Don’t give up.
But maybe lower your expectations of fun stuff.
5 hacks for better research productivity:
• Ignore irrelevant literature.
• Pick a manageable topic.
• Enjoy the misery.
• Write every day.
• Stop whining.
Turns out, the only real productivity hacks aren’t really hacks at all.
They're just discipline.
• Ignore irrelevant literature.
• Pick a manageable topic.
• Enjoy the misery.
• Write every day.
• Stop whining.
Turns out, the only real productivity hacks aren’t really hacks at all.
They're just discipline.
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 AM
5 hacks for better research productivity:
• Ignore irrelevant literature.
• Pick a manageable topic.
• Enjoy the misery.
• Write every day.
• Stop whining.
Turns out, the only real productivity hacks aren’t really hacks at all.
They're just discipline.
• Ignore irrelevant literature.
• Pick a manageable topic.
• Enjoy the misery.
• Write every day.
• Stop whining.
Turns out, the only real productivity hacks aren’t really hacks at all.
They're just discipline.
Feeling stuck on your dissertation?
Simple solution:
No email.
No casual teaching.
No cleaning the kitchen.
Just you, your discipline, and your headphones.
It works every time.
Simple solution:
No email.
No casual teaching.
No cleaning the kitchen.
Just you, your discipline, and your headphones.
It works every time.
November 20, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Feeling stuck on your dissertation?
Simple solution:
No email.
No casual teaching.
No cleaning the kitchen.
Just you, your discipline, and your headphones.
It works every time.
Simple solution:
No email.
No casual teaching.
No cleaning the kitchen.
Just you, your discipline, and your headphones.
It works every time.