Video was a goal for Dr. Brielle Harbin’s online presence in 2026. This year, she’s experimented with live video and casual videos for social media, especially her Instagram @DrBrielleHarbin. I like that Brielle records and publishes more because she’s found processes that feel authentic to her that fit into her day.
We talk about
- what makes a livestream collaboration meaningful for her
- how scripting feels unnatural / hasn’t been the right fit
- advice for academics considering video for themselves
Have you thought about video for your online presence, academics?
This is Season 8, Episode 17 of The Social Academic Podcast. This episode was broadcast live to Instagram on October 29, 2026. It’s now available to watch or listen on YouTube and Spotify. This post will be updated with a full transcript once it’s been fully reviewed by a human. Thank you!
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Our collaborations
Brielle and I have fun collaborating. Video has been our main focus for that.
Brielle shared a thoughtful conversation about civic courage for academics in our last episode for the podcast.
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Our Livestream Series on Instagram
Taking a Break from Social Media
Decision Fatigue for Academics
“I Don’t Have Time to Post About My Research”
Bio
Dr. Brielle Harbin is the Founder and CEO of Your Cooperative Colleague, a coaching and consulting practice that helps faculty build sustainable academic careers. A former tenured associate professor of political science, she now partners with individual faculty and institutions including Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Maryland.
Her work begins from a simple premise: faculty burnout is a design problem, not a personal failing. Over the past year, Brielle has embraced video as a way to reach academics where they are, experimenting with Instagram Reels, live conversations, and a growing YouTube channel. She also writes Notes from a Work Friend®, a Substack newsletter for professors navigating burnout, research momentum, and sustainable academic work.
