For academics, perfectionism can be paralyzing: we hold onto papers too long, hold back from sharing our work, and, in some instances, over-prepare to the point of exhaustion. The American Psychological Association defines perfectionism as “the tendency to demand of others or of oneself an extremely high or even flawless level of performance, in excess of what is required by the situation. It is associated with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health problems.”
For the academic year 2024–25, we will be experimenting with imperfection. We are going to take a step back and recognize, as Stephen Hawking beautifully stated: “One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn't exist. . . . Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.” Or, if you prefer Salvador Dali: “Have no fear of perfection—you'll never reach it.” In doing so, we explore, examine, and experiment with alternate perspectives, tools, and approaches to see if any of these resonate with us.
Join us as we explore imposter phenomena, academic perfectionism, and the gifts of imperfection.
Upcoming Events
Experimenting with Imperfection Resources
Associate Provost for Faculty Development, Professor of Resource Economics