Why Academia Feels So Competitive (And How to Escape It)

R3ciprocity.com - Prof David Maslach: Innovation; Research Life; Striving Towards Happiness · Apr 25, 2026 · 15m

Why does academia feel so competitive?

I think we first have to define what competition is.

I see it as a race toward a limited amount of resources. A lot of people, from all over the world, vying for a limited number of spots. That is one of the modern marvels of a successful world. But we are still in a tremendous amount of transition.

There is a belief that the pursuit of knowledge translates into a better position, that more education leads to better outcomes. In the macro, that is absolutely true. In the micro, when you actually talk to people, it is emotionally draining. It feels like…