Academic competencies for the twenty-first century: plus ça change,plus c’est la même chose? / Competencias académicas para el siglo XXI: plus ça change,plus c’est la même chose?

The academy has a reputation of resisting change; the assumption is that the faculty are unwilling to consider alterations to the tempo, pattern, texture and content of the academy. While many basic structures within the academy remain in place, there are in fact multiple surface-level changes that have impacted academe over the years. This article focuses on what academic life is about and how it is changing in the twenty-first century. The author highlights the changing nature of peer review and how early-career scholars might be best served with a thoughtful and relevant mentoring from senior scholars in order to improve their skills. The author concludes with what he sees as fundamental changes to academic life that will be forthcoming.