Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, is a global event dedicated to raising environmental awareness and promoting sustainable practices. As we look back on this year’s Earth Day events, it can be helpful to reflect on our experiences and lessons...
I was recently saddened to see some old trees nearby cut down, and I started to reflect on my need to mourn their passing. I was unaware of how connected I was to these three trees until they were dismembered seemingly without a care for their majesty. That experience...
In this video, I discuss one proven strategy to make graduate or doctoral research a success. The Research Journal is a journal or personal diary focused on centralizing all things related to your research studies. It is a critical component to working on a thesis or...
Continuing my exploration and meditations on the virtues, I want to share my recent reflection on the virtue of Fertility. I welcome your thoughts and hope this will be useful to...
Enhancing & Expanding Your Literature Review: Advanced Strategies for Graduate & Doctoral Students Have you done a thesis or dissertation, or are you working on one now and have been told you need to expand your literature review? You have already reviewed the...
Continuing my reflection on the virtues, here are some thoughts on the virtue of moderation. Moderation is a virtue that involves cultivating one’s appetites so that one is neither a slave to them nor driven to mental or physical ill health through excess or...
Graduate and doctoral students must develop the perfect research question to guide their research projects. In this video, we’re going to uncover the secret to the perfect research question, and I will show you 5 simple strategies you need to know to find the...
In this video, I muse on the idea of meaning, and how it affects our lives. I talk about how we make our own meaning, and how this process is key to our happiness. Yes, you guessed it — there is no such thing as objective external meaning telling us what to...
Identifying a research problem is an important first step in proposing and conducting research. It defines the focus of your research area and sets the direction for your next steps. A well-defined research problem connects you to previous work in your field, guides...
I am preparing for my graduate research courses and want to share some tips and encouragement for those graduate and doctoral students new to research....
I have been thinking about spiritual burnout recently based on some comments and sharings from several friends and colleagues. It inspired me to do some reflections and offer some suggestions, which I recorded while sitting in a park (a perfect place for...
In this video, I explore the work of Hannah Arendt, who is often considered one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century. Arendt’s work examines the nature of evil and the ways in which social discourse can be used to enable it. I explore Arendt’s...
Taking inspiration from Valarie Kaur’s TED Talk, 3 lessons of revolutionary love in a time of rage, who can lead us when leaders are not appearing? Blaming others won’t help us solve the problem of our environmental crisis or likely upcoming mass extinction...
I am inspired by some of my recent discussions with friends and colleagues about what eco-spirituality is and does, as I was surprised to not be able to find this information in a single place. I decided to create it to meet my own need! I welcome thoughts and...
In this video, I discuss tips for reducing stress and being thankful in difficult times. Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for all the good things in life, but it can be hard to maintain a positive attitude when things are tough. Let’s try to transform...
In this short video, we’re talking about Courage – the ability to act appropriately in the face of adversity. Courage is one of the things that makes us human, and like all virtues, can be strengthened through habit and perseverance. We all face adversity from...
In this video, we’re going to be talking about plagiarism, and how you can avoid it. Plagiarism is a big problem in the world of academia, and it’s something that you don’t want to be caught up in. Instead, follow these easy steps and learn to use...
Are you feeling lost and overwhelmed as you start your studies again? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Every student feels a little bit like a freshman again at some point during their academic journey. If you’re feeling lost and unsure of what to do...
The virtue of #hospitality connects with Eboo Patel’s notion of a Theology of #interfaith Cooperation by honoring the beliefs and contributions of others while respecting what they share with us. A gracious host and appreciative guest would do nothing less. I am...
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method for people who have trouble concentrating. It can be used in any situation that requires concentration, such as work or school. The technique is easy. Work for 25 minutes, then rest for 5 minutes. After 4 cycles, take...
Jeffrey M. Keefer, Ph.D., is an educational consultant, institutional researcher and accreditation officer in higher education, professor of research methodology, nonprofit capacity building and strategic planning consultant, talent development coach, spiritual life advisor (chaplain) at New York University, spiritual director, and Wikipedian.
Reflecting on Earth Day: Uncovering What We Learned & How to Move Forward
Honoring the Legacy of Ancient Trees: A Call to Ecospiritual Action & Gratitude When They Are Gone
Uncovering A Proven Strategy to Make Your Graduate Research a Success: The Research Journal
Embracing the Virtue of Fertility: A Path to Creativity, Connection, and Nurturing
Enhancing & Expanding Your Literature Review: Advanced Strategies for Graduate & Doctoral Students