Mushtaq Bilal, PhD
@mushtaqbilalphd.bsky.social
I simplify the process of academic writing | Helped 6,000+ become efficient academic writers with AI | 235K followers on Twitter and 80K on LinkedIn
Pinned
Registration for my Jan 2026 webinars is now open:
10 Jan: How to Build Healthy Academic Writing Habits
17 Jan: How to Make Zotero Your Research Assistant
24 Jan: How to Make $100,000 on Social Media as Academic
31 Jan: Supercharge Your Academic Writing with AI
Discount and registration link below
10 Jan: How to Build Healthy Academic Writing Habits
17 Jan: How to Make Zotero Your Research Assistant
24 Jan: How to Make $100,000 on Social Media as Academic
31 Jan: Supercharge Your Academic Writing with AI
Discount and registration link below
My research paper after I incorporate reviewers' feedback:
January 3, 2026 at 1:50 PM
My research paper after I incorporate reviewers' feedback:
PhD folks: what's the one skill you'll need to succeed in 2026?
January 1, 2026 at 4:36 PM
PhD folks: what's the one skill you'll need to succeed in 2026?
In 2026, I'll only be reading books for 10-12 year olds.
About time I get serious about this business.
About time I get serious about this business.
January 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM
In 2026, I'll only be reading books for 10-12 year olds.
About time I get serious about this business.
About time I get serious about this business.
When it comes to writing, more is less.
January 1, 2026 at 4:25 PM
When it comes to writing, more is less.
In 2026, make habit of writing a social media post (250-300 words) daily.
It will change your life by the end of the year.
It will change your life by the end of the year.
January 1, 2026 at 3:55 PM
In 2026, make habit of writing a social media post (250-300 words) daily.
It will change your life by the end of the year.
It will change your life by the end of the year.
Gym on 1 Jan, 5am
January 1, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Gym on 1 Jan, 5am
Quality of comments on TwitterX and Threads:
TwitterX: Mix of toxic comments with AI slop. Few quality comments. Most commenters don't understand satire.
Threads: More than 95% comments from real people with quality engagement. Almost everyone gets satire.
TwitterX: Mix of toxic comments with AI slop. Few quality comments. Most commenters don't understand satire.
Threads: More than 95% comments from real people with quality engagement. Almost everyone gets satire.
December 31, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Quality of comments on TwitterX and Threads:
TwitterX: Mix of toxic comments with AI slop. Few quality comments. Most commenters don't understand satire.
Threads: More than 95% comments from real people with quality engagement. Almost everyone gets satire.
TwitterX: Mix of toxic comments with AI slop. Few quality comments. Most commenters don't understand satire.
Threads: More than 95% comments from real people with quality engagement. Almost everyone gets satire.
Stanford has published a whole PDF contaninig euphemisms for penis and testicles on their official website.
What could be the reason, I wonder?
What could be the reason, I wonder?
December 31, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Stanford has published a whole PDF contaninig euphemisms for penis and testicles on their official website.
What could be the reason, I wonder?
What could be the reason, I wonder?
Reading ebooks is not reading.
Listening to audiobooks is not reading.
Reading on Kindle is not reading.
Reading on a phone/tablet is not reading.
Reading on a computer is not reading.
Reading a paperback is not reading.
Reading a hardbard is not reading.
Reading for enjoyment is not reading.
Listening to audiobooks is not reading.
Reading on Kindle is not reading.
Reading on a phone/tablet is not reading.
Reading on a computer is not reading.
Reading a paperback is not reading.
Reading a hardbard is not reading.
Reading for enjoyment is not reading.
December 30, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Reading ebooks is not reading.
Listening to audiobooks is not reading.
Reading on Kindle is not reading.
Reading on a phone/tablet is not reading.
Reading on a computer is not reading.
Reading a paperback is not reading.
Reading a hardbard is not reading.
Reading for enjoyment is not reading.
Listening to audiobooks is not reading.
Reading on Kindle is not reading.
Reading on a phone/tablet is not reading.
Reading on a computer is not reading.
Reading a paperback is not reading.
Reading a hardbard is not reading.
Reading for enjoyment is not reading.
2022: Got my PhD. Started writing on TwitterX. Moved from the US to Pakistan.
2023: Moved to Denmark. Started postdoc. Started learning Danish. Started making money online.
2023: Moved to Denmark. Started postdoc. Started learning Danish. Started making money online.
December 30, 2025 at 6:42 PM
2022: Got my PhD. Started writing on TwitterX. Moved from the US to Pakistan.
2023: Moved to Denmark. Started postdoc. Started learning Danish. Started making money online.
2023: Moved to Denmark. Started postdoc. Started learning Danish. Started making money online.
Don't publish a book if you're conversant in a subject and have a decent amount of material on it.
Book royalties: 10% to 15% of the retail price.
Instead, turn the material into an online course and/or webinars and sell that.
Course/webinar: you retain 100% of the profit.
Book royalties: 10% to 15% of the retail price.
Instead, turn the material into an online course and/or webinars and sell that.
Course/webinar: you retain 100% of the profit.
December 30, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Don't publish a book if you're conversant in a subject and have a decent amount of material on it.
Book royalties: 10% to 15% of the retail price.
Instead, turn the material into an online course and/or webinars and sell that.
Course/webinar: you retain 100% of the profit.
Book royalties: 10% to 15% of the retail price.
Instead, turn the material into an online course and/or webinars and sell that.
Course/webinar: you retain 100% of the profit.
Recently, a Pakistani friend of mine (we'll call him Danial) got a postdoc at the Lund University in Sweden.
We met at his office for coffee. I congratulated him and we caught up.
"I need you to do me a favor, Mushtaq," he said.
"Of course."
We met at his office for coffee. I congratulated him and we caught up.
"I need you to do me a favor, Mushtaq," he said.
"Of course."
December 30, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Recently, a Pakistani friend of mine (we'll call him Danial) got a postdoc at the Lund University in Sweden.
We met at his office for coffee. I congratulated him and we caught up.
"I need you to do me a favor, Mushtaq," he said.
"Of course."
We met at his office for coffee. I congratulated him and we caught up.
"I need you to do me a favor, Mushtaq," he said.
"Of course."
I have a PhD in literature. I love reading books.
But the book I love reading the most is this 👇
But the book I love reading the most is this 👇
December 30, 2025 at 5:33 PM
I have a PhD in literature. I love reading books.
But the book I love reading the most is this 👇
But the book I love reading the most is this 👇
Get my updated list of 70+ apps (AI and non-AI) for academic writing.
Follow Silvi on LinkedIn and send a DM on Silvi's LinkedIn account 👇
www.linkedin.com/company/sil...
And I'll send you a link to the list.
Follow Silvi on LinkedIn and send a DM on Silvi's LinkedIn account 👇
www.linkedin.com/company/sil...
And I'll send you a link to the list.
December 30, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Get my updated list of 70+ apps (AI and non-AI) for academic writing.
Follow Silvi on LinkedIn and send a DM on Silvi's LinkedIn account 👇
www.linkedin.com/company/sil...
And I'll send you a link to the list.
Follow Silvi on LinkedIn and send a DM on Silvi's LinkedIn account 👇
www.linkedin.com/company/sil...
And I'll send you a link to the list.
It's not X, it's Y.
ChatGPT uses this construction a lot. It makes the writing predictable, boring, and annoying.
Here's how you can make ChatGPT stop using this constrcution (prompt included):
ChatGPT uses this construction a lot. It makes the writing predictable, boring, and annoying.
Here's how you can make ChatGPT stop using this constrcution (prompt included):
December 30, 2025 at 4:28 PM
It's not X, it's Y.
ChatGPT uses this construction a lot. It makes the writing predictable, boring, and annoying.
Here's how you can make ChatGPT stop using this constrcution (prompt included):
ChatGPT uses this construction a lot. It makes the writing predictable, boring, and annoying.
Here's how you can make ChatGPT stop using this constrcution (prompt included):
Importing papers for your systematic review can take a lot of time and labor.
But with the new Silvi browser extension, you can import papers with a couple of clicks.
Best part: it's free.
Here's how:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update...
But with the new Silvi browser extension, you can import papers with a couple of clicks.
Best part: it's free.
Here's how:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update...
Importing papers for your systematic review can take a lot of time and labor.
But with the new Silvi browser extension, you can import papers with a couple of clicks.
Best part: it's totally free… | Silvi
Importing papers for your systematic review can take a lot of time and labor.
But with the new Silvi browser extension, you can import papers with a couple of clicks.
Best part: it's totally free to use.
Here's how:
1. Go to Chrome Web Store and look for "Save to Silvi."
Add the extension and then pin it to your browser.
2. Log in to your Silvi account and create a new project.
3. Go to PubMed and run a search.
Filter results and then click on the Silvi extension in the top-right corner of your browser.
It will show you all your Silvi projects. Select the one your just created and click on "Save to Silvi."
4. Go to your project in Silvi and you will see that all the papers have been imported into your project.
Now you can start screening them.
5. You can also do this with the ERIC database.
Run a search, filter results, and click on the Silvi extension.
Select a project and click on "Save to Silvi."
6. Go to your Silvi project and start screening.
7. Silvi extension als
www.linkedin.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Importing papers for your systematic review can take a lot of time and labor.
But with the new Silvi browser extension, you can import papers with a couple of clicks.
Best part: it's free.
Here's how:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update...
But with the new Silvi browser extension, you can import papers with a couple of clicks.
Best part: it's free.
Here's how:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update...
Here are 52 books for you to read in 2026.
These books will help you develop a refined literary taste.
You will become cultured, and will be able to hold interesting conversations with anyone from a layperson to an academic.
Titles below:
These books will help you develop a refined literary taste.
You will become cultured, and will be able to hold interesting conversations with anyone from a layperson to an academic.
Titles below:
December 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Here are 52 books for you to read in 2026.
These books will help you develop a refined literary taste.
You will become cultured, and will be able to hold interesting conversations with anyone from a layperson to an academic.
Titles below:
These books will help you develop a refined literary taste.
You will become cultured, and will be able to hold interesting conversations with anyone from a layperson to an academic.
Titles below:
Tell me something meaningful you learned from a podcast in 2025.
December 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Tell me something meaningful you learned from a podcast in 2025.
Get one year of Silvi Plus (worth €708) for FREE!
Got 5,000+ followers on any social media?
Go to silvi.ai and sign up for a free account.
And send a DM on Silvi's LinkedIn account 👇 with a link to your social media profile.
www.linkedin.com/company/sil...
Got 5,000+ followers on any social media?
Go to silvi.ai and sign up for a free account.
And send a DM on Silvi's LinkedIn account 👇 with a link to your social media profile.
www.linkedin.com/company/sil...
December 29, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Get one year of Silvi Plus (worth €708) for FREE!
Got 5,000+ followers on any social media?
Go to silvi.ai and sign up for a free account.
And send a DM on Silvi's LinkedIn account 👇 with a link to your social media profile.
www.linkedin.com/company/sil...
Got 5,000+ followers on any social media?
Go to silvi.ai and sign up for a free account.
And send a DM on Silvi's LinkedIn account 👇 with a link to your social media profile.
www.linkedin.com/company/sil...
Registration for my Jan 2026 webinars is now open:
10 Jan: How to Build Healthy Academic Writing Habits
17 Jan: How to Make Zotero Your Research Assistant
24 Jan: How to Make $100,000 on Social Media as Academic
31 Jan: Supercharge Your Academic Writing with AI
Discount and registration link below
10 Jan: How to Build Healthy Academic Writing Habits
17 Jan: How to Make Zotero Your Research Assistant
24 Jan: How to Make $100,000 on Social Media as Academic
31 Jan: Supercharge Your Academic Writing with AI
Discount and registration link below
December 29, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Registration for my Jan 2026 webinars is now open:
10 Jan: How to Build Healthy Academic Writing Habits
17 Jan: How to Make Zotero Your Research Assistant
24 Jan: How to Make $100,000 on Social Media as Academic
31 Jan: Supercharge Your Academic Writing with AI
Discount and registration link below
10 Jan: How to Build Healthy Academic Writing Habits
17 Jan: How to Make Zotero Your Research Assistant
24 Jan: How to Make $100,000 on Social Media as Academic
31 Jan: Supercharge Your Academic Writing with AI
Discount and registration link below
Read whatever you enjoy irrespective of genre and stay the hell away from any and all podcasts. They are cancer for your brain and soul.
December 29, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Read whatever you enjoy irrespective of genre and stay the hell away from any and all podcasts. They are cancer for your brain and soul.
It's clear that most people don't read to learn, to enjoy.
They read to sound smart, appear clever, and tell others they've read so and so "classic" writers.
They lose twice: They don't enjoy something enjoyable. And it debases their hearts and closes their minds.
They read to sound smart, appear clever, and tell others they've read so and so "classic" writers.
They lose twice: They don't enjoy something enjoyable. And it debases their hearts and closes their minds.
December 29, 2025 at 9:15 AM
It's clear that most people don't read to learn, to enjoy.
They read to sound smart, appear clever, and tell others they've read so and so "classic" writers.
They lose twice: They don't enjoy something enjoyable. And it debases their hearts and closes their minds.
They read to sound smart, appear clever, and tell others they've read so and so "classic" writers.
They lose twice: They don't enjoy something enjoyable. And it debases their hearts and closes their minds.
Planning on doing 4 webinars in Jan:
10 Jan: How to Build Healthy Academic Writing Habits
17 Jan: Automate Citations & References with Zotero
24 Jan: How to Make $100,000 on Social Media as Academic
31 Jan: Supercharge Your Academic Writing with AI
Details: eventbrite.dk/o/mushtaq-b...
10 Jan: How to Build Healthy Academic Writing Habits
17 Jan: Automate Citations & References with Zotero
24 Jan: How to Make $100,000 on Social Media as Academic
31 Jan: Supercharge Your Academic Writing with AI
Details: eventbrite.dk/o/mushtaq-b...
Mushtaq Bilal, PhD
I write about how to use AI apps for academic purposes. I have an audience of 240,000 on Twitter/X and 87,000+ on LinkedIn. My work has been features in prestigious publications like Nature, Times Higher Education, and Der Spiegel. I am also a co-founder of Chat Academia, an AI-powered app designed specifically for academics. I did my PhD on a fully funded Fulbright fellowship from Binghamton University, New York. I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southern Denmark's Hans Christian Andersen Center until June 2025. These days, I work at Copenhagen-based startup called Silvi, which is an AI-powered designed for systematic reviews.
www.eventbrite.dk
December 28, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Planning on doing 4 webinars in Jan:
10 Jan: How to Build Healthy Academic Writing Habits
17 Jan: Automate Citations & References with Zotero
24 Jan: How to Make $100,000 on Social Media as Academic
31 Jan: Supercharge Your Academic Writing with AI
Details: eventbrite.dk/o/mushtaq-b...
10 Jan: How to Build Healthy Academic Writing Habits
17 Jan: Automate Citations & References with Zotero
24 Jan: How to Make $100,000 on Social Media as Academic
31 Jan: Supercharge Your Academic Writing with AI
Details: eventbrite.dk/o/mushtaq-b...
A woman reads dense literary theory, writes a thesis on a complex topic, earns a PhD from a top university.
Dude-bros: Useless. Waste of time and money. Burn it all down.
A woman enjoys reading romance novels.
Dude-bros: Useless. Waste of time and money. Burn it all down.
Dude-bros: Useless. Waste of time and money. Burn it all down.
A woman enjoys reading romance novels.
Dude-bros: Useless. Waste of time and money. Burn it all down.
December 28, 2025 at 3:33 PM
A woman reads dense literary theory, writes a thesis on a complex topic, earns a PhD from a top university.
Dude-bros: Useless. Waste of time and money. Burn it all down.
A woman enjoys reading romance novels.
Dude-bros: Useless. Waste of time and money. Burn it all down.
Dude-bros: Useless. Waste of time and money. Burn it all down.
A woman enjoys reading romance novels.
Dude-bros: Useless. Waste of time and money. Burn it all down.
Smartness, passion, skills, connections don't mean much if you don't have high agency.
If you have average intelligence, limited skills, no connections, but high agency, you'll achieve more than smart folks with low agency.
Here's a great essay on how to become high agency:
www.highagency.com
If you have average intelligence, limited skills, no connections, but high agency, you'll achieve more than smart folks with low agency.
Here's a great essay on how to become high agency:
www.highagency.com
High Agency in 30 Minutes - George Mack
High agency might be the most important idea of the 21st century. This essay is what I wish I read at 18, rather than writing at 30. Join me in the high agency rabbit hole.
www.highagency.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Smartness, passion, skills, connections don't mean much if you don't have high agency.
If you have average intelligence, limited skills, no connections, but high agency, you'll achieve more than smart folks with low agency.
Here's a great essay on how to become high agency:
www.highagency.com
If you have average intelligence, limited skills, no connections, but high agency, you'll achieve more than smart folks with low agency.
Here's a great essay on how to become high agency:
www.highagency.com