Dancing in the Aquarium
Unlocking Creative Freedom Within Academic Boundaries
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” ― Brené Brown
As I reflect on my journey in academia, I’m often drawn back to the stories that shaped my worldview.
Growing up, cartoons were more than just entertainment—they were windows into different ways of thinking. From racing home to watch Sonic the Hedgehog to spending afternoons immersed in the worlds of Looney Tunes, DuckTales, and Darkwing Duck, these stories planted seeds that would later bloom into deeper insights.
As an adult, I have enjoyed rewatching animated films like Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and Happy Feet. Recently, it struck me how perfectly Happy Feet captures the challenges many of us face in academia, particularly on the tenure track.
Beyond its entertaining story of a tap-dancing penguin, it offers profound lessons about finding our authentic voice in scholarship.
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Now, without further ado, here are three key insights from the film that have shaped my approach to academic life and might resonate with yours as well.
1. We Each Have a Song, But Some of Us Sing With Our Feet
In the world of Emperor Penguins in Happy Feet, every individual has a unique “heartsong”—their ticket to finding a mate and fulfilling their destiny.
However, the protagonist, Mumble, faces a crisis.
He can’t sing to save his life, but he can dance magnificently. His community, bound by tradition, sees this as a flaw rather than a gift.
This resonates deeply with the academic journey, where we often feel pressure to conform to established patterns of scholarship or teaching. Many of us enter academia with unique perspectives and methodologies, only to find ourselves trying to “sing” like everyone else.
We worry that our interdisciplinary interests or unconventional approaches will mark us as outsiders.
But here’s what I’ve learned.
Your distinctive voice is your strength, not your weakness. In my own work, I’ve embraced an interdisciplinary approach to legal scholarship, weaving personal narratives with theoretical legal analysis and cultural critique.
This methodology, while unconventional in some circles, allows me to uncover insights that might otherwise remain hidden. Furthermore, it has allowed me to build connections with scholars across disciplines.
For instance, in my recent Columbia Law Review Forum essay, I embraced this interdisciplinary approach by developing a novel “hermeneutic” project that examines law through the lens of Black American literature and culture.
By weaving insights from Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man with my experiences growing up in the South Bronx, I explored how cultural perceptions of Blackness and the vulnerability of Black life under racial capitalism have significantly influenced the relationship between legal reform and democratic discourse in the United Sates, affecting both the interpretation and application of the law.
This isn’t a conventional legal analysis.
It’s a dance—a blend of cultural analysis, personal narrative, and legal critique—that reveals deeper truths about law’s role in society.
If this approach intrigues you, I encourage you to download and read my essay here. It’s a testament to how embracing your unique academic voice can not only enrich your scholarship but also challenge the broader discourse around critical issues in your field.
I would love to hear your thoughts!
2. Your Network Reveals Your True Value
Mumble’s journey takes a turning point when he meets the Adelie Penguins, “the Amigos.”
These outsiders immediately recognize the value in his unique expression. They don’t try to change him. They celebrate him.
This illustrates a crucial truth about academic life. Your peer network can help you recognize and amplify your distinctive contributions. In other words, finding your academic “Amigos” is essential.
They help in so many ways, including by:
Providing perspective when traditional metrics feel constraining.
Offering emotional support during the challenging tenure-track journey.
Helping amplify your work to new audiences.
Validating approaches that might seem risky in traditional settings.
For me, cultivating such networks has been transformative. One strategy I have used is proactively engaging in knowledge-sharing, such as creating digestible summaries of my work on social media.
For example, to share insights from my essay on law and Black American culture, I created threads for social media platforms like BlueSky Social to make complex ideas accessible across disciplines.
This strategy works hand-in-hand with collaborative amplification. By supporting the work of others, we build ecosystems of mutual encouragement and intellectual growth.
In your academic journey, I urge you to seek out those who value and celebrate your unique voice—those who, like the Amigos, see your ability to dance and not just your inability to sing.
And, if you checked out my essay and believe someone else might benefit from my ideas or appreciate the story, please share it!
3. Transform Constraints Into Opportunities
Happy Feet’s most powerful moment comes when Mumble, trapped in an aquarium, transforms his captivity into a platform for change. Instead of conforming to expectations, he uses his unique talent—his dancing—to advocate for his community’s survival.
This is an apt metaphor for academia.
The tenure track often feels like a confining aquarium, with institutional pressures to conform. Yet, it’s possible to use these constraints as opportunities for growth.
Practical Strategies to Transform Constraints
Here are some practical strategies to transform your constraints:
1. Build Bridges Through Gratitude
After my scholarship has been published, I practice “gratitude networking” by sending personal emails to every scholar that I cite. This small gesture:
Creates meaningful connections.
Demonstrates engagement with existing scholarship.
Opens doors for new collaborations.
2. Innovate Within Traditional Formats
Look for ways to breathe fresh life into academic conventions. I try to do this by:
Incorporating interdisciplinary insights into law review articles.
Centering personal narratives to humanize theoretical discussions.
Developing creative teaching methods that bring scholarship to life.
In my Columbia Law Review Forum essay, for instance, I used literary analysis to deepen legal critique, bridging cultural studies and law to address racial equity.
This approach challenges the traditional law review format, making the piece stand out as a unique vehicle for meaningful change.
3. Embrace Your Academic Dance
The pressure to conform in academia is real.
Many of us feel trapped in what I call the “penguin paradigm”—the expectation to sing the same songs in the same way. But the most impactful scholarship often comes from those willing to “dance” differently.
Your unique perspective is not just valid; it’s vital.
Whether you’re integrating interdisciplinary work, personal narratives, or innovative methodologies, these differences enrich your field and push the boundaries of knowledge.
Moving Forward
As you navigate your tenure-track journey, consider these questions:
What makes your scholarly approach unique?
How can you integrate your authentic voice into your work?
Who are your academic “Amigos,” and how can you strengthen those connections?
What constraints could you transform into opportunities?
Remember, the goal isn’t just to achieve tenure—it’s to make meaningful contributions to your field while staying true to your vision.
Sometimes, that means dancing when others expect you to sing.
Download my full essay here to see how I embraced this philosophy in my own scholarship. It’s an invitation to consider how your unique academic dance can transform your field and beyond.
Your future self—and your future tenure portfolio—will thank you for the boundaries you set today.
Becoming Full,
P.S. If this newsletter resonated with you, please share it with colleagues who might benefit from a fresh perspective on academic life. And if you’ve found innovative ways to express your scholarly voice, I’d love to hear about them in the comments.