This summer, we're all about making space in your work life for those things YOU consider a priority. So we've asked our University of Graz researcher community about aspects of their daily work life that they have developed a useful routine for - and aspects that still need a “research life hack”.
Interview partner:
- Heide Bruckner from the Department of Geography and Regional Science
Heide's daily work:
- Heide Bruckner is a human geographer. In her work, she uses feminist and decolonial theories to research how environmental (in)justices are lived and contested in everyday life.
The "happy hack" that makes Heide more efficient/creative/motivated at work:
“I have a post-it on my desktop that helps me decide how to say yes or no to academic tasks. The post-it asks:
- Does this opportunity fit my research agenda and identity?
- Does it spark joy?
- Do I have time to do a good job?
- Does it leave space for my personal life?
- Am I uniquely qualified to fill this need?
And the challenge in her research life that she still needs a hack for:
“Getting past my perfectionist tendencies!"
What is your own happy hack? Let us know!
Find the full series of interviews here: How to hack your research life - Research Careers Campus Graz
(Interview: Johanna Stadlbauer, 3.6.2026, picture credit: Bruckner/privat)