The Philosophers' Cocoon

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Job-Market Reporting Thread (2025-26)
Job-Market Discussion Thread (2025-26)

  3. Look at the Google Scholar pages for some of the authors of the SEP articles … their SEP articles are…

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  • Norms for citing the SEP?

    In our new “how can we help you?” thread, a reader writes:

    What are the norms now on citing SEP entries? I was once told never to cite it, but I’ve now seen a few published articles which do. If a particularly useful SEP entry is one citation among many, would anyone bat an eye?

    One person noted in a follow-up comment that they cite the SEP regularly and it has never been a problem for them. I suspect it may only be a problem if SEP entries make up most or all of one’s references, in which case it may look like one hasn’t really researched the area.

    What do other readers think?

    1

  • Job talks: what is an ideal length?

    In our new “how can we help you?” thread, a reader writes:

    What is the ideal length for a job talk when you have an hour (plus an hour for Q&A)?

    Is using the full 60 minutes less ideal than, say, 50-55? Is there a big difference between, say, 58 minutes and 62 minutes?

    Or does it really not matter at all?

    I have no idea! Does anyone have any helpful insights?

    1

  • Any luck on the US market without pre-existing rights to work in the US?

    In our new “how can we help you?” thread, a reader writes:

    Has anyone who doesn’t have existing working rights in the US had any luck with any jobs? Asking because a few years ago I had multiple first round interviews, but this round had nothing. It might well just because how tight the job market is and/or my profile not fitting the jobs though, so seeking information.

    Any readers able to weigh in?

    9

  • Will a VAP in a writing (or other) program hurt one as a candidate for TT jobs in philosophy?

    In our new “how can we help you?” thread, a reader writes:

    I finished my PhD in 2025, and I’m a VAP in a philosophy department right now. I am considering applying to a non-TT position in first-year writing, and I’m wondering if that move would hurt my chances in TT searches in philosophy departments, assuming I am able to publish in phil journals while in the position. A more general way of putting it would be how much does being in non-philosophy department hurt applications for philosophy jobs early in one’s career?

    What do readers think? It would be great to hear from search committee members in particular, as well as from people who have obtained non-TT work in other disciplines.

    5