CV of failures

Some advice from Stefan (2010):

As scientists, we construct a narrative of success that renders our setbacks invisible both to ourselves and to others. Often, other scientists' careers seem to be a constant, streamlined series of triumphs. Therefore, whenever we experience an individual failure, we feel alone and dejected. [...] So here is my suggestion. Compile an 'alternative' CV of failures. Log every unsuccessful application, refused grant proposal and rejected paper. [...] It will probably be utterly depressing at first sight. But it will remind you of the missing truths, some of the essential parts of what it means to be a scientist — and it might inspire a colleague to shake off a rejection and start again.

Here's mine.

  1. Unsuccessful applications (* = with interview)

    • PhD positions in Florence, Siena, Genova*, Trento*, Verona*, Padua, Pisa, Parma, Modena-Reggio*
    • Postdoc positions in Paris* (JProf.)

  2. Rejected papers (conferences & journals)

    • Short paper, CHR 2023, Paris
    • Lightning talk, CHR 2024, Aarhus