Connecting Research, Reading, and Exploration
After finishing my PhD and trying to figure out where I fit in the postdoc world, I kept coming back to the small, everyday pieces of academic life that never make it into a dissertation. I have notebooks, digital and paper, crammed with meeting notes, colleagues’ recommendations, reading lists, and half-formed ideas. All the small, necessary pieces of a scholarly life that never quite make it into a dissertation but shape the work all the same. When I had a question, I went to a colleague or to Google, but I never found everything I wanted or needed in one place. I wanted a place where all of that could come together. The Scholarly Siren is that place: a space for ideas, resources, and reflections that don’t fit neatly into an article or a conference paper but still matter.
I’m creating this blog for anyone who wants it all in one place or hopes to find it there. This blog is meant to be a hub for everything I love and want to share. It’s part research notebook, part professional guide, and part reading journal. These posts will include research insights from my personal research/work, practical strategies for navigating all forms of academia, from researching to writing to conferences, and finally book reviews and reflections as I continue to grow into my postdoc life. The goal is to offer a mix of inspiration and practical advice. I’m not a PhD coach, and I’m not looking to sell services. But I do want to help those in the shoes I just stepped out of.
I finished my PhD in December 2025, focusing on U.S. and Latin American relations during World War II. I had to rush at the end because I was running out of time, so the final stretch felt more like a sprint than a transformation. It wasn’t the marathon I expected, but in some ways it felt like both a sprint and a marathon. I worked full-time, dealt with the sudden loss of a parent, and faced more burnout than I had imagined. I learned to work through archives, ask better questions, and, most importantly, ask for help. I’m proud of my dissertation, though I know it would have been stronger with more time. That isn’t an excuse but an honest assessment of my process and work. And maybe a bit of a warning: don’t let procrastination win. There were times when my focus slipped, and I had to find my way back to work. Finishing my PhD helped me see what kind of scholar I want to be and why it’s important to share what we learn. I started this blog to give back by connecting my research experience to broader academic conversations and offering the advice I wish I’d had earlier.
Research, reading, and exploration are at the heart of growing as a scholar. Traveling, attending conferences, and joining workshops help us see things from new angles. Books push us to question what we know, and research keeps our creative side thriving. I wanted a place to gather those ideas instead of letting them disappear into my notes. I plan to post here once a week, with each month focused on a theme like research, writing, storytelling, or mentorship. Every month, I’ll share a book review, so you can stay informed even if you’re short on time. My goal is for you to feel supported and informed throughout your academic journey.
Wendi Kavanaugh 
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