Paper Jams

A monthly one-hour video call for paid subscribers. We discuss a research paper on the human factors of making software. 10 EUR a month, cancel anytime.

An open jar of red berry jam with a spoon in it, on a white wooden table

Once a month, I host a one-hour video call with all subscribers to my paid Paper Jams plan. Calls happen on a Friday, usually at 1pm or 2pm UTC. They're not recorded and follow the Chatham House Rule.

In the call, we discuss a paper relevant to the Human Factors of Making Software.

If that sounds interesting, subscribe to the Paper Jams plan below! It costs 10 EUR a month or 100 EUR a year, and you can cancel anytime. You'll get an invite to the next call.

All Paper Jams so far

Titles link to the recap where there is one, otherwise to the announcement or the paper itself.

Date Time [UTC] Paper
#22 October 23 2026 13:00 The Psychology of Software Teams (Cat Hicks), Part 2: chapters 5–7
#21 September 11 2026 13:00 The Psychology of Software Teams (Cat Hicks), Part 1: chapters 1–4
#20 August 28 2026 13:00 AI Writes Faster Than Humans Can Review: A Longitudinal Study of an Enterprise 2x Mandate
#19 July 17 2026 13:00 AI and Our Economic Future
#18 June 5 2026 13:00 Today Was a Good Day: The Daily Life of Software Developers
#17 May 29 2026 15:00 Identifying Factors Contributing to "Bad Days" for Software Developers: A Mixed Methods Study
#16 April 24 2026 16:00 "Maybe We Need Some More Examples:" Individual and Team Drivers of Developer GenAI Tool Use
#15 March 27 2026 14:00 How AI Impacts Skill Formation
#14 February 27 2026 13:00 Speed at the Cost of Quality: How Cursor AI Increases Short-Term Velocity and Long-Term Complexity in Open-Source Projects
#13 January 16 2026 14:00 How does Juicy Game Feedback Motivate? Testing Curiosity, Competence, and Effectance
#12 December 19 2025 15:00 From Anecdote to Evidence: The Relationship Between Personality and Need for Cognition of Developers
#11 November 21 2025 14:00 Code Today, Deadline Tomorrow: Procrastination Among Software Developers
#10 October 31 2025 14:00 Call Me A Jerk: Persuading AI to Comply with Objectionable Requests recap
#9 September 26 2025 13:00 Resumption strategies for interrupted programming tasks
#8 August 8 2025 14:00 Enabling Good Work Habits in Software Developers through Reflective Goal-Setting
#7 July 4 2025 13:00 Code Review Comprehension: Reviewing Strategies Seen Through Code Comprehension Theories
#6 June 20 2025 13:00 What Makes a Great Manager of Software Engineers?
#5 May 16 2025 14:00 The Impact of Generative AI on Critical Thinking: Self-Reported Reductions in Cognitive Effort and Confidence Effects From a Survey of Knowledge Workers
#4 April 25 2025 13:00 10 Things Software Developers Should Learn about Learning
#3 March 14 2025 15:00 What Distinguishes Great Software Engineers?
#2 February 14 2025 13:00 Developer Thriving recap
#1 January 17 2025 13:00 Social Transparency in Networked Information Exchange recap

Questions you might have

Do I need to read the paper beforehand?

It's more fun if you do! I announce the paper some time before the call, with a link. If you didn't get to it — no problem, come anyway. You can listen in and ask questions.

What if I can't make a date?

In the previous session I ask participants for dates and times that work for them, and I'm happy to alternate times so people in other time zones can join. If you miss one, the next is about four weeks away.

How many people are on a call?

Usually we're a small group.

Can I cancel?

Anytime. You won't be charged again, and the current period is not refunded. Cancel the plan itself, not just the emails.

Read more about the genesis here and see terms and conditions here.