The job subsidies that are in place in many countries as a result of the Covid-19 lockdowns now apply to more than 50 million workers across the world, including probably about half a million in higher education. The subsidies’ aim is a worthy one: to protect workers from a descent into poverty when their jobs […] … learn more→
Academics whose institution has no post-Covid future should be laid off
‘Lit therapy’ in the classroom: writing about trauma can be valuable, if done right
Some of my students have been assaulted. Others have been homeless, jobless or broke, some suffer from depression, anxiety or grief. Some fight addiction, cancer or for custody. Many are in pain and they want to write about it. Opening wounds in the classroom is messy and risky. Boundaries and intentions can feel blurred in […] … learn more→
For maximum Covid compliance, build bridges with students, not barriers
When college students get onto campus this autumn, they will behave as 18-24-year-olds are accustomed to. They will gather in groups – to study, to socialise and, in the case of older students, to renew acquaintances that were abruptly broken off when Covid-19 hit in March 2020, forcing campus evacuations and the completion of the […] … learn more→
8 tips to support Grade 1 readers at home
Learning to read is one of the most important skills and strongest predictors of success. Studies show that children who develop strong reading skills are more successful in school, more likely go to university and more likely to achieve a high quality of life. Teaching children how to read is primarily a teacher’s job, but parents play a valuable role. Reading for […] … learn more→
Universities must redouble their international mission
The suspension of international travel during the Covid-19 pandemic has caused many to revisit confident assertions that the 21st century will be defined by smooth and unfettered global links. In an age of lockdowns, working from home and the return, in some cases, of international trade barriers, many have been tempted to predict a more […] … learn more→
Governing universities: tertiary experience no longer required
Australian universities are in dire straits. The sudden loss of international student fees due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent court rulings of wage theft by some of our top universities have exposed the depth of these problems. The workforce is highly casualised. There is a sharp divide between senior management and academic and professional staff. On top of decades […] … learn more→
Covid-19 : Why this crisis can widen the inequalities between researchers
The ability to publish scientific articles in the best journals in one’s discipline is the engine of academic careers. It is crucial for promotion and recognition by peers. In this race, women are less present. We thus see their proportion decrease as we go up in the hierarchy. In the United Kingdom, for example, they represent 45% of […] … learn more→
Is academic guidance sustainable at distance?
In return for the freedom to pursue the discipline they love, academics are lumbered with a wide variety of tasks, some of which are distinctly of the Marmite variety. Personal tutoring has to be near the top of that list, with some seeing it as a chore to be endured and others embracing the opportunity […] … learn more→
Does publishing tuition prices influence college choice?
The big idea A federal effort to identify less affordable colleges makes little difference in students’ decisions of which college to attend, according to my new study. The Education Department has maintained four lists of what it deems to be the nation’s priciest colleges in its online College Affordability and Transparency Center since 2011, as required by Congress. Lawmakers created […] … learn more→
What to consider with sales automation software
If you are looking for sales automation software, there is a lot that needs to be considered. This sort of technology can really drive your business forward, but this is only going to happen if you choose a solution with care. So, what sort of factors should you consider when looking for sales automation software? […] … learn more→