top of page
Behavioural Insights
Thoughtful analysis of how psychology shapes financial behaviour, spending habits, and long term decision making, translating academic research into practical insights that help individuals make smarter, more intentional financial choices.
The ONE thing you need to do during your PhD
After having read my many tirades on the mistakes I made during the PhD, and the many pitfalls of academia, I think if I just had to...
Merle van den Akker
Sep 21, 20234 min read
How My PhD DID Prepare Me For Working Outside of Academia
I have read and written quite a few articles on how the PhD does not necessarily prepare you for working outside of academia. And that...
Merle van den Akker
Jun 8, 20234 min read
Why I wouldn’t recommend doing a PhD Straight out of University
The ones who know, know. I did my PhD straight after my MSc in Behavioural and Economic Science (which I loved). I was 21 when I started...
Merle van den Akker
May 25, 20234 min read
The Ultimate Guide to Doing a PhD
I think after writing over 500 blog posts a la a 1000+ words a piece you cannot be too surprised to learn that I finally have written a...
Merle van den Akker
May 11, 20234 min read
Moving from Academia to Corporate: What About Your Skills?
It’s becoming more and more common to enter a PhD and then to realize halfway through that a career in academia is not for you. This can...
Merle van den Akker
Apr 27, 20234 min read
What It's Truly Like Leaving Academia
I knew before I submitted my PhD that I was leaving academia. Throughout the PhD I had experienced aspects of academia that just weren’t...
Merle van den Akker
Feb 16, 20234 min read
Why Did Academia Become so Sh*t?
As most of my friends and I have finished up our PhDs, we tend to get together and take some reflections. Most of us, even if we have...
Merle van den Akker
Nov 24, 20225 min read
Reclaiming Your Identity After Leaving Academia
For those of you who’ve followed the blog for a long(er) time, you’ll have realised that I did make the decision to leave academia after...
Merle van den Akker
May 5, 20224 min read
The Effect of Payment Methods on Personal Finance Management: My PhD Summarised!
The main point for me to start this blog was to be able to disseminate academic work to an audience that was much wider than academia....
Merle van den Akker
Apr 7, 20228 min read
bottom of page