A little stress around exam time can be a good thing, as it motivates you to put in the work. But sometimes stress levels can get out of hand, particularly at the end of an academic year. When you become stressed, the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system gets switched on. Initially this is a […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
Exam stress: What is it and how can I manage it?
How the US benefits when it educates future world leaders
When the number of international students at U.S. colleges and universities declines, commentators often focus on the economic impactthe decline will have on individual universities and communities. As experts who specialize in global affairs and international education, we see a more serious threat: A diminished ability for the United States to shape and influence future leaders of the world. Studies […] … learn more→
A new, data-based checklist to help boost women in science leadership
Gender equity in academic science may seem like a pipe dream, with the percentage of scientific leadership positions held by women in institutions a mere 5-20% However, new data from science societies – the professional associations that bring researchers of a particular speciality together – tell a different story. Published today, research from my colleagues and I shows […] … learn more→
Why learning a second language is beneficial
Multiple studies have shown children who learn a second language achieve more academically and have far better linguistics than students who only know one language. Regardless of what age you are, learning a new language is a great idea. If you are looking for a Russian or Spanish school to teach you a new language, […] … learn more→
Lab coats help students see themselves as future scientists
In order to encourage more of the nation’s young people to pursue careers in science, it pays to help them dress the part. That is the key finding of a study we conducted recently to determine what kind of effect a simple article of clothing – in this case white lab coats – have on […] … learn more→
The Republican war on academic freedom in North Carolina
Joe Knott, one of the Republicans who dominate the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, published an op-ed on May 25 that imagines an alarming future for higher education under the headline “We need more conservative professors. Here’s how we can do that at UNC.” Knott generously declares his support for academic freedom: “If scholars are […] … learn more→
White men’s voices still dominate public science. Here’s how to change this
Visibility in the mass media matters for scientists. It gets funders’ attention. It attracts top students. It can be a pathway to policy influence. Media coverage may even boost the number of times a piece of research is cited in scientific literature. There are imbalances all over the world, and white men tend to get the lion’s share of […] … learn more→
‘Progressive stacking’ leads to a wobbly form of equality
In the classic John Ford western Stagecoach, a group of travellers have to make a decision about whether to continue their journey through Apache territory. They decide to settle the issue with a vote, but with one important proviso: that the women have their say first. This kind of chivalry may seem outdated, but the idea […] … learn more→
Exploring the benefits of a degree in technology
There is no doubt that technology has made a huge impact on how humans work, communicate and survive. Today, technology is utilized in every facet of life. In fact, it is not unusual for someone to spend most of the day connected to some type of electronic devices, such as the computer, cellphone, laptop, iPad, […] … learn more→
Armed with better data, will Accreditors finally have to act?
Twice a year, a body of accreditation experts known as NACIQI–the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity–gathers in a windowless conference space to debate the finer points of accreditation. And for the last two years, NACIQI members have come prepared with data on student outcomes to ask accreditors why some of their institutions […] … learn more→
