Physicist Wesley Sims is looking for joy in new initiatives that combine research and mentorship at HBCUs.

Mark Richards describes how his search for a community of fellow “quantum black dots” led him to found the Blackett Lab Family, the UK’s first national network of Black physicists.

As the first in her family to attend university, astrophysics PhD student Larissa Palethorpe explains why multiple sources of support are necessary to survive and thrive in academia.

Joyful Mdhluli describes the joy that a career in physics brings, even after hitting rock bottom during her PhD.

Astronomer John Johnson describes the challenges he has faced in pursuing his passion for teaching, which is often devalued by academic institutions.

By finding the right spaces, astronomer Louise Edwards has obtained joy both within and outside of academia.

Essayists describe the paths through which they find joy and discuss the challenges that exist in the physics community to attain it.

Astrophysicist and professor emeritus Gibor Basri describes the importance of balancing life’s commitments.

Despite the pressure on physicists, particularly Black physicists, to always do more, it is essential to learn to put work aside and connect with others.

Experimental physicist Danielle Speller explains how burnout is linked to identity and shares advice for maintaining balance.

The combination of a global pandemic and a nationwide racial reckoning has made maintaining a healthy work–life balance especially difficult, says particle-physics graduate student Katrina Miller. But it has also offered a new perspective for recalibrating priorities.

PhD student Garrett Williams describes how mentorship, outreach, and introspection have helped him survive as a Black physicist.

This year’s essays focus on burnout, which is a critical topic as Black physicists confront systemic racism both within and outside of academia.

Jessica Esquivel and Charles D. Brown II explain why Black physicists are vital to future progress in AI and quantum information science and engineering.

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein says that difficult conversation must be had when discussing what it means to be a Black physicist.

Belinda Cheeseboro learned to combat fears of not belonging in physics by understanding what triggers those feelings and taking time to look after her mental health.

NASA engineer K. Renee Horton explains how the challenges of a hidden disability can be compounded by racial and gender bias.

After-work hobbies, days off, and an occasional vacation are important strategies for maintaining mental health.

For physicist and artist Tamia Williams, “the real secret to my success as a student was my community.”

Fostering a constructive environment in which young researchers can develop is imperative for bringing new talent into the field, particularly those who at first may not have thought they had a place in physics.