If you are one of 2.2 billion Facebook users worldwide, you have probably been alarmed by the recent coverage of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, a story that began when The Guardian revealed 50 million (now thought to be 87 million) user profiles had been retrieved and shared without the consent of users. Though the #deletefacebook campaign has gained […] … learn more→
Author Archives: Kevin
How to stop haemorrhaging data on Facebook
Why ‘safe spaces’ at universities are a threat to free speech
The idea of universities being a “safe space” was until recently an issue that was unique to the US. Now the UK has experienced an upswing in incidents in which so-called “safe space” policies have reportedly threatened the right to free speech in British universities. Closely tied to the concept of “no-platforming” – where speakers […] … learn more→
Universities should take stronger leadership on knowledge and how it matters
If reports in the media can be trusted, then “knowing” isn’t what it used to be. It seems that we are all caught in a rip, being swept helplessly from a knowledge-based world into a post-truth society, where robots will take all the best jobs. The latest edition of the Innovating Pedagogy report, published annually by […] … learn more→
4 key challenges facing America in the 21st Century
Technological innovations permeate nearly every facet of society and are changing the shape of major institutions such as computing infrastructure, the criminal justice system, the economy and the educational system. For each major change, ethical and accountability questions come to the forefront of discussion among public advocates, legislators and citizens. All parties agree that newfound […] … learn more→
Clothes do not make the woman: what female academics wear is subject to constant scrutiny
The grand orator at today’s graduation couldn’t be bothered to take out her facial piercings! Gross! What a slob!” This tweet, written last November, was clearly designed to be offensive, and it hit home, blindsiding me and briefly knocking my confidence. I had gone for the role as public orator because it troubled me that […] … learn more→
5 inspiring stories that can motivate even the most struggling individual
Organizational leaders must fulfill many roles and responsibilities. This may include mission critical tasks such as establishing corporate goals and developing operational strategies. The primary objective of effective organizational leaders is to ensure the best possible outcomes for all interested stakeholders including shareholders, employees and target consumers. These high-level executives establish and oversee the completion […] … learn more→
Why suspending or expelling students often does more harm than good
The number of students being suspended or expelled from Australian schools is “skyrocketing”, according to news reports. These note a 10% increase in suspensions over two years at NSW primary schools and that students in south-western Sydney are being suspended more than four times as often as students in other parts of the city. Suspension and […] … learn more→
Facebook data: why ethical reviews matter in academic research
When the Facebook data of 50m users was collected by Cambridge academic Aleksandr Kogan, his actions reportedly came to the attention of colleagues who regarded his subsequent use of the data as unethical. The university revealed that Kogan had unsuccessfully applied for ethics approval in 2015 to use data collected on behalf of GSR, a commercial enterprise he set […] … learn more→
Student in Christianity class says there are 2 genders, gets tossed
I generally teach mathematics. While this subject is usually considered brutally objective, in a real sense it’s an ideology: the ultimate goal of my class is, indeed, to get all my students to chant the same thing at the same time, like a pack of local news journalists (and I use that word with maximum […] … learn more→
5 muѕt hаvе essentials for a frеquent business traveller
Buѕіnеѕѕ travel іѕ on thе rіѕе as аn іnсrеаѕіng numbеr оf companies hаvе customer bаѕеѕ аll оvеr thе wоrld; the Intеrnеt whіlѕt making the wоrld ѕmаllеr has increased the роtеntіаl markets аvаіlаblе; It іѕ buѕіnеѕѕ trаvеlеrѕ though whо are feeling thе ѕtrаіn with іnсrеаѕіng ѕtrеѕѕ аnd fаtіguе lеvеlѕ. There аrе ѕоmе thіngѕ you can do […] … learn more→
