Replaying the Tape of Academia: Fourteen Alternative Practices for the Physical Sciences

The evolution of modern academic practices, analogous to the evolution of biological systems, reflects the influence of both contingency and determinism. From a theoretical perspective, how then could academic practices differ from those that were inherited? Would any alternative outcomes be more just, equitable, diverse, or inclusive? Here we present 14 alternative academic practices that might be attained upon replaying the tape of academia and evaluate their benefits and drawbacks. Oriented primarily around the physical sciences within the United States, these alternative practices reconsider common activities within the broad categories of the graduate student experience, faculty careers, evaluation methods, peer review and publication, and conference norms. Consideration of these alternative practices can guide within-system change and large-scale restructuring of academia to address the myriad challenges facing researchers and students. Conversely, alternative practices may introduce new issues or exacerbate existing problems. These alternative practices are meant to be imaginative, not prescriptive, and we hope their underlying ideas spur reflection and conversation on the existing practices embedded within academic culture. Readers are encouraged to complete a brief survey regarding their impressions of the alternative practices, available at the following link: rebrand.ly/AlternativePractices2024.