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The first snowdrops are popping up here in Sweden. A small sign that we have arrived at the beginning of a new season. Like snowdrops, many research ideas also live beneath the surface for a long time. Full of potential, but waiting for the right conditions to grow.

Funding can be one of those conditions. Yet the process of writing grant applications can often feel overwhelming when academic life is already full of other commitments like teaching, emails, committees, and endless small tasks.

That is why I am happy to invite you to a free masterclass I am hosting together with academic writing coach Ana Pineda, PhD.

Getting funded: 4 mistakes to avoid when you write your next grant
Monday 23 March 2026 at 13:00 CET / 12:00 BST

In this masterclass, Ana will share the four most common mistakes academics make in grant applications, how to avoid them, and how to realistically plan the time it takes to write a successful proposal.

If one of your research ideas is waiting beneath the surface, perhaps this is the moment to give it the chance to grow?

I hope to see you there.

Last week I hosted a Visibility Workshop for 150 academics who showed up online - and I started by asking one simple question: Why is visibility important to you? The chat filled quite quickly...

“Funding and networking.”
“To get people to read my work.”
“To create more impact.”
“To feel that your work matters.”
“Because I’m getting to a point where I can’t get ahead without it.”
“It opens the door to collaboration with others.”
“To impact policy.”
“Because it creates credibility for your work.”
“Otherwise, people might make their own assumptions about your work or what you do.”
“To be a female role model in a male-dominated field.”

It was clear: Visibility is about impact. Making your research matter. It is about
authority, credibility and opportunities. Being seen for what you actually contribute.

And then I asked: Why is visibility difficult?
And again, from the chat...

“Imposter syndrome.”
“It feels uncomfortable and a little bit ‘cringe’ to be self-promoting.”
“I hate being the centre of attention.”
“I don’t like self-marketing.”
“I never feel like my work is ‘ready’.”
“Fear of criticism.”
“What if you make a mistake and it’s out there on the internet forever…”
“It feels vulnerable.”
“Because, as women, we are taught to be humble and not show off.”
“Sometimes it seems like a second job.”
“My to-do list needs to be empty before I work on my lab’s website.” (Obviously this never happens.)

Same group of academics.
Visibility is essential AND visibility is uncomfortable. Both things are true.

What struck me most, however, was this comment - that I didn't see in the moment, but later when I looked through the (busy) chat:
“But seeing so many women here with the same goal already feels empowering :)”

That’s the shift!

Visibility does not have to mean shouting louder. It can mean taking small, intentional steps. Sharing the process, not just polished outcomes. Letting your work be seen before it feels perfect.

I’m curious, if you are an academic:
What makes visibility important to you - and what makes it difficult?

Yeah! Visibility Workshop with Ana Pineda is on again - come join us 🧡

Greetings from the hammock ☀️ I've just launched my first LinkedIn newsletter!

Women in Academia, Together - a space for reflection, connection, and support for living an intentional academic life.

In the first issue, I share a bit about my own summer rhythms, the magic of slowing down, and a free self-care podcast for women in academia.

I’d love for you to read it — and join the conversation. 🧡

Welcome to the first issue of Women in Academia, Together — a space for thoughtful reflection, connection, and support for living an intentional academic life. I love summer! I grew up in a small town near the west coast of Denmark.

Have you seen this event for academics? The Thriving PI Summit is happening next week. 15+ researchers, coaches, and mentors are coming together to talk about what really helps principal investigators (and future P*s) thrive in their academic work.

I’m one of the speakers — and I’ll be sharing: "The Invisible Reason P*s Work Too Much, Lead Too Little" (... and yes, it has everything to do with your academic archetype.)

It’s free. It’s online. My good friend Ana Pineda, PhD put this together to help P*s lead with more clarity and confidence — without burning out.

You can sign up here: https://ifocusandwrite.lpages.co/summit-the-thriving-pi-2025/?utmsource=speakers&utmcampaign=sanne

Let me know if you’re joining?

Ps. I’m writing this from a sunny Sunday morning in Paris. I feel so blessed that I get to live an academic life where I meet new people, discover new places, and follow my curiosity wherever it takes me

The Thriving PI Summit is here - and it's FREE to join! 🌟 I am so excited to be speaking at this event together with some pretty awesome experts, coaches, and scientists. Organized by Ana Pineda, PhD!

If you know what it is like to juggle research, admin, grant deadlines, and team leadership - all at once - while maintaining your own writing and sanity - then this event is for YOU!

Already a Principal Investigator? Or planning to become one? Or working with academic leadership more informally - then this event is also for YOU!

👉 The Thriving PI Summit! 👈
🌟 Date: 23rd-26th of June 2025
🌟 Time: Pre-recorded, so watch the summit in your own time, 23rd- 26th of June
🌟 Recording: Yes! All of it is prerecorded, so you can watch all of it within 48 hours. If you want more time, upgrade to the All-Access pass.
🌟 Sign up here: https://ifocusandwrite.lpages.co/summit-the-thriving-pi-2025/?utmsource=speakers&utmcampaign=sanne

I'm thrilled to be speaking about “The Hidden Reasons Why P*s Work Too Much, Lead Too Little”, where I'll be sharing my take on why general productivity advice doesn't work for women in academia and what to do instead. Of course, I also talk about how to leverage the strengths of your academic archetype to lead more and break out of harmful circles of overwork. It's going to be epic!

The best part? It's FREE to attend. And…it's pre-recorded, so you can watch the talks at your own time. And if you'd like to have the talks forever, you can also upgrade to an All-Access pass.

Want to join us? Grab your free ticket now, and I'll see you there!

👉 https://ifocusandwrite.lpages.co/summit-the-thriving-pi-2025/?utmsource=speakers&utmcampaign=sanne 👈

Thriving PI Summit 2025: Systems, Writing & Funding for Principal Investigators Join the online Thriving PI Summit to learn systems, writing, funding, and resilience strategies for Principal Investigators.

🔍 What are the four mistakes to avoid when writing a funding application?

If you're an academic with big research ideas (but zero time or energy to figure out funding)… this free masterclass is for you.

I often hear:

“If only I could get the funding, I could finally do the research I care about.”

But between teaching, publishing, admin, and 'all the things', our ideas risk staying stuck in a drawer instead of reaching the world.

That’s why I’m teaming up with academic writing coach Ana Pineda for a free live masterclass designed to get you started — confidently and strategically.

🎯 Getting Funded: 4 Mistakes to Avoid When You Write Your Next Grant

🗓️ Monday, 19 May 2025

🕧 12:30 CET / 11:30 am BST

💻 Live on Zoom (Recording available if you can’t join live)

👉 Register here: https://ifocusandwrite.lpages.co/sanne-getting-funded/

What you'll learn:

✅ The four mistakes that we make most often so you don't make them again. And you´ll leave with a key strategy for each of them.

✅ The plan and time estimate you need to make to write your next grant. So you can plan ahead 🎊.

✅ The business disciplines you need to master to get the money! Things she applies daily from running this business 🥰

This is your gentle kick to stop waiting and start writing — with support.🤸🏾‍♂️

Already registered? Tag a fellow academic who needs this too.

I'd love to see you there🌟

FREE class to get funded 🎊 An online event with the FREE class Getting funded: 4 mistakes to avoid when you write your next grant.

Today is International Women's Day, but this year, I think we should rename it in line with the Danish term “Kvindernes internationale kampdag” or Women's International Fight/Struggle/Resistance Day. ✊ Here is a reminder that there are many ways to resist.

Please join us for this FREE visibility workshop for academics on Friday at 12.30 CET! 🎉

Women in academia, are you also dreaming of a retreat? It’s February, and honestly... I’ve had enough of the winter darkness here in Sweden. The grey skies seem to reflect the rocky start of 2025. 🥹

While waiting for the light to return, I’ve been dreaming about the retreats I attended in May 2023 and 2024. Those experiences lifted my energy, cleared my mind, and filled my spirit with joy.✨

And it got me thinking…

What if I organized a retreat of my own? A space for female academics to rest, reflect, and recharge. To write, breathe deeply, reconnect with purpose, and soak up some much-needed sunshine. ☀️

I’ve contacted the lovely hosts at Villa Sunshine in Andalucia, Spain—a serene, beautiful spot perfect for an intimate retreat. And guess what? They have availability in November!

But before I finalize anything, I’d love to hear from you:

Is this something you’d be interested in?

👉 Take this quick 2-minute survey to share your thoughts. No commitments—just a show of interest! https://forms.gle/CH3cMxNXNYPvrSWc6

🎁 As a thank you, you’ll be entered into a draw to win a FREE 1:1 coaching session with me! (Winner announced Sunday, February 16th.)

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Maybe I’ll see you under the Andalucian sun this November. 🌿🌞

Sanne 🙏🏻