5 Videos to Help You Start Strong in 2026

As the year winds down, researchers everywhere enter the familiar rhythm of wrapping up projects, reviewing progress, and preparing for a fresh start. As the you take in the slower pace and festive mood, it is also a good time to reflect on the year past and put in a little time for structured planning. Amidst the realities of paradigm shifts in technologies, shuffling research priorities and a multi-generational landscape in academia, there is much to think about as on moves into 2026.

Some thoughts to ponder as we transition into a new year: Is speed more important than human wisdom and judgement? Are we in a hurry to replace quality with quantity? What is the best approach to remain strongly human-reliant in academia- be it experimentation, analysis, writing or reviewing? How can we leverage AI and other technological tools to assist us rather than replace us in 2026 and beyond?

Here, we have curated 5 videos that offer practical, actionable advice to help you enter 2026 with clarity, confidence, and momentum, as you begin the year with a refreshed outlook.

1. Rethinking Science Communication: Beyond Technology Trends.: This episode truly resonates as the host Nikesh Gosalia along with guests Joy Moore and Kent Anderson call out some of the most pressing contradictions facing the publishing world today. A must-listen for anyone who wants to repair—not just rewire—how science is communicated. 
2. What AI Still Cannot Do in Peer Review | Hong Zhou: Can AI and humans collaborate? Although AI is improving rapidly, it is best viewed as a smart assistant. So rather than replacement shouldn’t the future be about collaboration?
3. AI in Scientific Research: Good or Bad? Q&A with Dr. Jacob Wickham: Get expert insights on questions related to using AI in scientific research.
4. Publication Guidelines For Submission Success – Manuscript rejection: What can you do to avoid rejection of your manuscript? Tips from a Journal Editor!
5. Balancing act Work life harmony for researchers: Dr. Jacob Wickham’s video gives us much food for thought on work-life balance in academia. Watch the full video to learn how to enter the new year with new energy and new ideas… while leaving burnout behind! As he says, a researcher already has the “stamina” to pursue the “marathon” of a research career. Some quotes that resonate – 1. “We do not have limitless energy”; 2. “Don’t overpromise your timelines – give yourself a buffer”; 3. “Communicate your priorities”; 4. “Don’t forget yourself!”