When it comes to university choices for both students and academics, it might seem like everyone wants to study and work in the institutions that top the league tables and the world rankings – but research seems to indicate this isn’t the case. As part of the background analysis for my new book Experiences of Academics from a […] … learn more→
Author Archives: Kevin
Are working-class students and academics avoiding top universities?
MIT Dean resigns…she didn’t have a degree
Our schools are bloated down with administrative staff. They call themselves “leaders” in education but having worked closely with quite a few of them, having studied carefully the true nature of their jobs…I’ve often wondered what, exactly, they did to justify their very high paying and extremely cushy jobs. Primarily what they did is acquire […] … learn more→
The research impact agenda can refresh scholarship
It is tempting to be suspicious of the research impact agenda – not least the new industry it has created. With the value of a 4* impact case study in the 2014 research excellence framework estimated at £324,000, it is not surprising that specialist jobs in research offices, impact-focused workshops and consultancy opportunities have emerged. […] … learn more→
Trump to end Obama’s anti-white campus policies
It’s really interesting just how much changed during the Obama era, from health insurance to “acceptable” corruption like Biden, to campus policies. One such policy concerned encouragement of colleges to admit students strictly based on “Diversity” concerns, so that more “minorities” would be admitted even if, purely based on academics, other students were more deserving. […] … learn more→
In Doug Ford’s e-learning gamble, high school students will lose
Next school year, Ontario plans to launch a massive learning experiment with high school students that seems set to increase inequality and compound failure for students already struggling in face-to-face classes. The Ministry of Education, under Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative Party, plans to require students to take a minimum of four e-learning credits to graduate. This […] … learn more→
How to avoid being sucked into the black hole of administration
Basic physics I’ll admit that my knowledge of physics is largely confined to the theme song of The Big Bang Theory. Increasingly, however, I find myself staring into the electronic time suck that is my email inbox and thinking about Einstein’s theory of general relativity. I wonder, in particular, if he was thinking of academia […] … learn more→
Learn killing zombies
Zombies are monsters of the collective imagination on which many films, television series or video games have been made. These creatures arouse a remarkable attraction among a wide segment of the population. Movies like World War Z or series like The Walking Dead have had and are widely accepted worldwide, especially among young people, and have broken audience records. Video games […] … learn more→
Professor fired for disputing gobal warming wins $800,000 in lawsuit
The whole “global warming” nonsense (hint: cooling is more credible) really is remarkable. Time and again when I bring this up with my low-information friends, I’m told (among other talking points to be sure) how scientists by and large agree the world is burning up into a cinder unless we do something about it right […] … learn more→
Stimulants: Using them to cram for exams ruins sleep and doesn’t help test scores
Along with a steeper financial burden and an increasingly competitive academic environment, this year’s incoming freshman university class will likely be confronted with the pressure to take a little pill that some popular culture references say will make you “awesome at everything.” Or they may eschew the temptation and rely on the standard practice of study, sleep, repeat. […] … learn more→
Me, myself and I
It is well known that the doctoral education experience is a serious challenge to mental health and wellbeing. As a “part-time” PhD candidate with a full time job and a family, I know the challenge of maintaining the balance of wellbeing, relationships, and productivity. I do my best, but the weight of my responsibilities and […] … learn more→
