I doubt any student applying for admission to university in Singapore would say the process is easy, but most would agree it is fairly straightforward. Like many educational systems around the world, students armed with the relevant results, such as the A levels or international baccalaureate grades, can predict with a fair degree of accuracy […] … learn more→

Parking Minion: “We can’t sell you the parking tag until the semester starts.” Me: “That’s 4 days from now. Why can’t I get this $250 tag now?” Parking Minion: “We’ll have them next week, sir.” Me: “But there’ll be huge crowds next week. Why not plan ahead?” Parking Minion: “I don’t know, please move along […] … learn more→

Much has been said and written about the need to rebalance the economy of the UK. The economic landscape across the nation is shifting rapidly, in response to changes in patterns of industry, and decisions on national and European levels. Change,  and opportunity, are particularly marked in the North. Declining old industries will need to […] … learn more→

With the release of the latest Apple Watch this month came a new Breathe app which promises to “help you better manage everyday stress”. Giving mindful breathing a place beside the alarm clock and weather app seems to prove mindfulness has truly gone mainstream. But modern society is still strongly oriented in the opposite direction: […] … learn more→

Over the past few years, Canada has managed to set itself apart from its North American neighbor. Thanks to its beautiful scenery, vibrant economy, and friendly residents, Canada has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It helps tremendously that the country is full of English speakers as well. Of course, […] … learn more→

After two years of hard work, I was being fired. At least, that was what I could deduce from the torrent of bizarre, irrational emails with which my boss had terrorised my inbox during the five days I had been away from her Canadian laboratory. Confusion as to my whereabouts led to a panicked request […] … learn more→

I’ve written a few times of one solution to the abuse of faculty in higher ed: unions. The main problem with unions is getting administration to allow them…unfortunately, sooner or later, administration realizes that unions cut into the money administration could keep for themselves. This leads to inevitable conflict, and admin rather holds all the […] … learn more→

Humans have speculated about the emergence of language and linguistic diversity since Antiquity. Perhaps the earliest reference to this question is in the book of Genesis in the Judeo-Christian Bible. In this narrative, God spoke to Adam and gave him authority to name every being in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve could apparently […] … learn more→

A new parliamentary report by the Women and Equalities Committee released earlier this week has highlighted the scale of sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools across England – with more than half of the girls and young women surveyed for the report saying they had faced some form of sexual harassment at school or […] … learn more→

Charities tied to the Clinton family have received seemingly endless scrutiny throughout the presidential campaign. They’ve been accused of wasting funds, offering access to donors and even serving as a personal “piggy bank” for the Clinton family. As a result, the largest arm of their charitable organization this week said it would become and independent […] … learn more→