Donna L. Halper, PhD (She/Her) is an associate professor of Communication and Media Studies at Lesley University, Cambridge MA. She is the author of six books and many articles; her work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. A widely-quoted media historian, her expertise is in the history of broadcasting, representations of women and minorities in popular culture, and the history of fake news. In addition, she researches the history of baseball and has written numerous essays for SABR (the Society for American Baseball Research). A former radio deejay and music director, she is also known for having launched the career of the classic rock band Rush, who dedicated two albums to her.

They Said I Was ‘Too Old’ – My PhD Journey

Donna L. Halper’s PhD journey began after she lost her job in radio and wanted to reinvent herself as a full-time educator. However, being in her 50s and a woman applicant meant that she faced rejection from several universities, making her determined to prove them wrong.

Read More »

When Dreams Fall Apart: Mental Health and New Beginnings in Academia and Beyond

In this motivational article, the author reflects on his mental health journey of realising teaching wasn’t his dream job after all and starting over in an academia-adjacent career. The article highlights the value of clear boundaries between work and home, of prioritising mental health in academia and beyond, and of being brave enough to choose another road when you reach a dead end.

Read More »
Your contribution to our PhD Stories helps us disseminate valuable support to researchers worldwide.
Update cookies preferences