A couple of times a year I write about strategies for getting going with your writing. But I’ve made a big list this time, just for a change. Fifty things to do to help yourself with your writing. Build your writing strategy repertoire! Tackle perfectionism Write badly on purpose – Give yourself permission to write […] … learn more→
Monthly Archives: July 2025

50 ways to get your writing going

The AI therapist will see you now: Can chatbots really improve mental health?
Recently, I found myself pouring my heart out, not to a human, but to a chatbot named Wysa on my phone. It nodded – virtually – asked me how I was feeling and gently suggested trying breathing exercises. As a neuroscientist, I couldn’t help but wonder: Was I actually feeling better, or was I just being […] … learn more→

How to support a loved one in addiction treatment
Want to help a loved one beat addiction? Supporting someone through addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. You want to help, but you’re not sure how. Maybe you’re worried about saying the wrong thing or doing too much. Here’s the thing… Your support can make or break their recovery. According to recent data, 57% of people […] … learn more→

AI and art collide in this engineering course that puts human creativity first
Title of course: Art and Generative AI What prompted the idea for the course? I see many students viewing artificial intelligence as humanlike simply because it can write essays, do complex math or answer questions. AI can mimic human behavior but lacks meaningful engagement with the world. This disconnect inspired the course and was shaped […] … learn more→

Reinventing universities: what if we gave them a global mission?
If they want to adapt to the accelerating pace of global and technological change, universities around the world would benefit from reinventing themselves. What assets do they have to assert themselves as “laboratories of transition” in the face of current challenges? Today we are facing what Edgar Morin called a “polycrisis.” Global challenges of all kinds are […] … learn more→

AI is driving down the price of knowledge – universities have to rethink what they offer
For a long time, universities worked off a simple idea: knowledge was scarce. You paid for tuition, showed up to lectures, completed assignments and eventually earned a credential. That process did two things: it gave you access to knowledge that was hard to find elsewhere, and it signalled to employers you had invested time and […] … learn more→

What makes a good AI prompt? Here are 4 expert tips
“And do you work well with AI?” As tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot and other generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems become part of everyday workflows, more companies are looking for employees who can answer “yes” to this question. In other words, people who can prompt effectively, think with AI, and use it to boost productivity. In fact, […] … learn more→

Online therapy as effective as in-person therapy, finds large study
When COVID arrived early in 2020, pandemic restrictions made in-person mental health care difficult or impossible. Both therapists and patients had to adapt almost overnight. For many in the field, it felt like a gamble: could this screen-based format offer the same level of support for people struggling with depression, anxiety or trauma? Evidence has […] … learn more→

Scientific norms shape the behavior of researchers working for the greater good
Over the past 400 years or so, a set of mostly unwritten guidelines has evolved for how science should be properly done. The assumption in the research community is that science advances most effectively when scientists conduct themselves in certain ways. The first person to write down these attitudes and behaviors was Robert Merton, in 1942. […] … learn more→

How Medical Assisting programs enhance patient care quality
Want to deliver exceptional patient care that keeps people coming back? Every healthcare facility dreams of providing outstanding patient experiences. After all, quality patient care leads to: Better health outcomes Higher patient satisfaction scores More referrals and repeat visits Here’s the problem: Most healthcare facilities struggle with inconsistent care quality. Staff get overwhelmed juggling clinical […] … learn more→