The Social Science Collective
A community and accountability program for graduate students and postdocs

The Social Science Collective

A community and accountability program for graduate students and postdocs

Graduate School can be both extremely rewarding and overwhelming...

I've been there - from being clueless about running discussion sections and grading, to experiencing major nerves during my master's thesis presentation (I literally don't remember what I said after it ended), to agonizing about my PhD proposal with multiple 6am "bedtimes" fueled by coffee and snacks, crying in the departmental bathroom, trying to juggle a social life outside of my studies, and explaining to family and friends who couldn't quite understand why I would possibly want to prolong my time in school.

And at the same time...

I also know what good support looks like: having people who understand what you're going through, who help you think through challenges, and who encourage your next steps.

I also know that not everyone has that.And navigating grad school (or a postdoc) without support is exponentially harder.

So, here I am – creating an expert-led peer community and accountability program for students and postdocs who want it.

Introducing:
The Social Science Collective

Because I get it.
Because a space like this doesn't exist. Because you deserve support.This is a community and accountability program.You know how it's easier to tell a strange on the plane about your problems?Here, you'll have a community that exists outside of your program to listen and support.

  • Accountability that actually works - through body doubling, intention-setting, and regular check-ins

  • Fresh perspectives - hot seat sessions where you get support AND learn from others' challenges

  • A curated community - people who show up , share, and genuinely support each other

  • Direct access to me - your 1-1 clarity call plus my active presence on the community board

  • Tools and resources - trackers, prompts, and frameworks that you can use beyond the 8 weeks

What's Included

12 Live Sessions Over 8 Weeks. Sessions alternate between 2x/week and 1x/week - enough structure to keep momentum, enough breathing room to stay sustainable. Get focused accountability sessions where you actually make progress on your work, plus learning and hot seat sessions for practical strategies on procrastination, time management, advisor relations, overwhelm, and real-time support on your challenges. 60-90 minutes each via Zoom.Personal 1-1 Clarity Call. Your dedicated time with me to work through whatever you're stuck on - research roadblocks, competing priorities, strategic planning, and so on. 45 minutes.Private Community Access. Your space to connect with other participants between sessions. Ask questions, share wins and challenges, or just vent.Resources & Tools. Session recaps, self-guided check-ins, progress trackers, refection prompts, and other resources shared on the community board.The Result: Accountability that works, clarity when you're stuck, and a community that's available for all 8 weeks.

Who's a Good Fit?

• Social science students (MA, research track or PhD) and postdocs
• Looking for accountability and community
• Ready to actively participate
• Willing to show up consistently for 8 weeks
• Open to both receiving and offering perspectives

Length

• 8 weeks• Starting mid-March 2026• Live sessions alternate between 2x/week and 1x/week

Cost

• Early bird: $360 / 1,260 NIS (includes VAT) before March 1, 2026• Regular: $400 / 1,400 NIS (includes VAT)• Founding member pricing - the lowest price the program will ever be offered

Place

• Online (Zoom + Circle community platform)• Session days and times will be based on participant preference and time zones.
If needed, multiple time zones will be accommodated.

About Me

I'm Dr. Sharon Shenhav, and I have a PhD in Psychology and Social Behavior. I've published in peer-reviewed journals, completed two postdocs, and have extensive experience supporting students - from teaching psychology and writing courses to running professional development sessions, hosting journal clubs, and mentoring students on research projects.I've also been exactly where you are: I've had the 2am panic spirals, felt like there aren't enough hours in the day, and been intensely nervous before presentations and conferences.
This program is built on everything I've learned – both from my own experiences navigating grad school and beyond and from mentoring dozens of students through their journeys.

FAQs

When exactly does the program start?
The first session will be the week of March 15th and the program will run through early-to-mid May 2026. Exact session days and times will be determined based on cohort time zones. You'll receive the full schedule before the program begins.What are clarity calls? Your chance to receive 1-1 support from me, from advisor relations to research challenges, prioritization, or whatever you're stuck on or would like to talk through.What are hot seat sessions? Your opportunity to present a challenge and get input from me and the group. Even when you're not in the hot seat, you'll learn from hearing others' situations.What's the cohort size? This pilot will include approximately 6-12 participants to ensure meaningful interaction.Can you edit my drafts or given written feedback? Not as part of this program, but we can discuss my editing services separately. You can bring writing challenges to hot seats or your clarity call for coaching (not editing).What happens between sessions? The community board is active for questions, venting, resource-sharing, and connection. I check it regularly and encourage you to engage with fellow members. Who knows - you might find your next collaborator or a friendly face at your next conference.Is what I share private? Yes. Community guidelines require all information stay private. For sensitive topics, keep questions general. Everything you share with me individually remains completely confidential.What if I miss a session? Life happens. Sessions will not be recorded so that members feel comfortable sharing, but any learning or resources will be shared on the community board afterwards.Can I join if I'm not in the social sciences? Email me at [email protected]. I evaluate applications from other fields on a case-by-case basis.Why is there an application? The program works best when everyone is committed to active participation. The application helps ensure good fit. You will receive a response within 2 business days.Can I get additional 1-1 support? Yes! Your program includes one 45-minute clarity call. Additional calls can be purchased separately.I saw you're an academic editor – is this an editing service? No. This program is about support, strategy, and accountability. If you want editing services, we can discuss that separately through my business: www.sharonshenhavphd.com.I'm concerned about cost. Any suggestions? See if your lab or department has any professional development funds. Think about it as $45-$50/week for 8 weeks of support.Is this a writing group? No, but I encourage you to use accountability sessions for writing. This is broader than writing – it's about sustainable progress on all aspects of your academic work.I'm a faculty member/PI. Do you work with labs or departments? Yes! Email me at [email protected] to discuss options.I have other questions. Can we chat? Sure! Email me at [email protected] and we can schedule a brief call if needed.

© 2026 by Sharon Shenhav, PhD.