A Testimony of Gratitude

As I take a moment to reflect on the last three years, my heart is filled with gratitude for the journey Anne-Wil Harzing and I have embarked upon together. Our collaboration has been a transformative, intertwined synergy of two academics at distinct stages of their careers, united by friendship, deep trust, and a shared vision of a kinder, more inclusive academic world.

In this reflection, I honour Anne-Wil’s contributions, the evolution of Positive Academia, and the way our complementary strengths have amplified our vision. Together, we have been weaving a narrative of change, fostering a culture of care, equity, and inclusion in our academic landscape.

This reflection is a testament to the legacy we are building that we hope will inspire and endure sustainably. It is a reminder that academia can be a space for collegiality, care, and genuine human connection, shaping a future we can all be proud of.

The Roots of Positive Academia: Vision and Legacy

Anne-Wil is an academic who has challenged the status quo in ways that have profoundly reshaped how we think about and act in academia (see harzing.com). With decades of experience, Anne-Wil recognises that academia often operates in silos of competition, where kindness, gratitude, and mutual support are undervalued. Her bold response #positiveacademia– the spark in the dark during the COVID-19 pandemic – reflects a movement dedicated to fostering collaboration, care, and the recognition that small acts of kindness can create ripples of positive changes. Anne-Wil’s vision has always been both practical and inspiring. Her work has demonstrated that a positive academic environment is not only a lofty ideal but a tangible reality that can be cultivated through intentional action. Her visions resonate deeply with academics across disciplines and career stages, planting the seeds for a movement that continues to grow.

For me, Anne-Wil’s vision and passion was an awakening. In her actions and words, I saw a pathway to a more humane academia and a blueprint for the legacy I aspire to leave and my deep drive for positive change-making in academia since 2019. Our passions synchronised and Anne-Wil’s wisdom, enthusiasm, our shared interests and her uplifting humour became a triggering force in my journey and the close friend who holds the rope and pulls it down to the ground when needed. She has also been showing me how to balance ambition with passion and the importance of prioritizing relationships over recognition, which has always been the key to all decisions in my life.

The Momentum: The Rise of #EveryLittleActionCounts

When Anne-Wil showed me her idea for the #PositiveAcademia initiative (The year of positive Academia 2022) in December 2021, she triggered my creative brain to complement our shared vision with a new campaign. I wanted to find ways to turn her ideas and contributions into everyday practices that could resonate with academics at every level and career stage.

Shortly after completing my PhD, this led to the creation of my brainchild, #EveryLittleActionCounts. Our campaign focuses on the small, intentional acts that individual academics can take to embody these principles on a daily basis.

This campaign is rooted in the belief that even the smallest gestures—such as writing LinkedIn recommendations, being kind in emails, or expressing gratitude—can create momentum for positive academic transformation.

Together, #PositiveAcademia and #EveryLittleActionCounts became natural extensions of one another. The former offers the what and why, while the latter provides the how. This synergy marked the beginning of a deep collaboration that has allowed us to reach audiences far beyond what either of us could have imagined.

A Partnership Built on Synergy

One of the most meaningful aspects of our collaboration has been how our distinct strengths and perspectives complement each other. Anne-Wil brings a depth of experience, academic rigour, and a profound understanding of the challenges in academia. Her extensive leadership and mentorship experience have laid our movement’s steady anchor.

In contrast, I bring a lot of energy, fresh perspectives, a deep passion for innovation and creativity driven by curiosity and imagination and an eagerness to experiment with new approaches. Our partnership has shown me that collaboration across career stages is not only enriching – it is essential. Anne-Wil’s wisdom and steadiness have given me the confidence to take risks, while my energy and curiosity have infused new vitality into her vision.

Together, we have created a dynamic interplay of knowledge, experience, innovation, exploration, and experimentation that has become the beating heart of Positive Academia.

Building Positive Academia as an Entity

Over time, our individual contributions, ideas, passions and drive for positive changes began to merge closely into a single, unified entity: Positive Academia. This was not a deliberate decision but an organic evolution – a testament to the power of synergy. Positive Academia became a space where Anne-Wil’s legacy, my creativity, and our passion for making a difference for others could coexist and amplify one another, creating something far greater than the sum of its parts.

This movement is now a living, breathing community. It has grown into a platform that celebrates kindness, generosity, gratitude, and care as some of our core values. Our LinkedIn community now includes over 3’000 followers, and we have been able to connect with academics from all over the world, giving each an opportunity to contribute their own stories and perspectives to our shared vision. We are also looking forward to various exciting collaborations and engagements in the nearer future.

Celebrating Anne-Wil’s Legacy Through Collaboration

As we reflect on these past two years, it is impossible not to centre this celebration on Anne-Wil’s legacy. Her work has been one of our foundational building blocks of Positive Academia, offering a vision of what academia can be at its best: a space where people lift each other up, where collaboration outweighs competition, and where success is measured not by individual accolades but by collective impact. What I admire most about Anne-Wil’s scholarship is her ability to lead with both strength and humility.

She has shown me that legacy is not about being remembered for what you have done – it is about creating something that endures, something that inspires others to carry the torch. Our collaboration has been a reminder that legacy is not a solitary endeavour. It is built in partnership through the relationships and, moreover, the friendships we nurture and the communities we serve. Positive Academia is not just Anne-Wil’s legacy or mine – it is the legacy of everyone who has joined and will join our movement, shares stories and takes small action to create positive changes.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Future

e this reflection marks a celebration of the past three years, it is also an invitation to look forward. Anne-Wil and I are already envisioning new ways to expand the reach and impact of Positive Academia. We are exploring new campaigns, collaborations, conferences, and platforms that will enable us to connect with even more academics and amplify and realise our vision.

At its core, Positive Academia is a reminder that change begins with us. It begins with small actions, intentional choices, and a commitment to kindness, care, and gratitude. Together, we have already made a difference, and together, we will continue to build a legacy that endures.

I am deeply grateful – for Anne-Wil, for the community that has embraced this vision, and for the opportunity to be part of something so meaningful. Thank you for believing in this vision and for showing that Positive Academia is not just an ideal but a reality we are building together. Your stories, reflections, actions, and many great scholarly contributions have been fuelling our movement.

With gratitude and hope,

Christa Sathish