In the 20th century, the American “system” of higher education affected how the whole world performed education and research at the highest levels. It’s now the 21st century, and the corrupted American system is spreading that corruption across the planet. How else to explain the following madness: Oxford University promises 25% of places to disadvantaged […] … learn more→

“So how’s it going at work?” It’s a common question. The kind of question which normally opens a nice warm catch up between friends. But if you are a non-white academic, the question carries a different connotation. You might respond to it with an eye-roll and a sigh, which tells your friend what they already […] … learn more→

In 2012, Georgetown University professor Randy Bass published an article in Educause Review that really frustrated me. In the article, “Disrupting ourselves: the problem of learning in higher education”, he claimed that students found little value in the assignments that they complete for college and university courses. “In my experience of holding focus groups and […] … learn more→

It’s hard to believe, but the concept of “too much information” is becoming a real problem in our society. It is now all too easy to learn all you might want to know about a person. While the gentle reader would be unlikely to do anything untoward with such information, the sad fact is there […] … learn more→

When seeking potential sources of inspiration for crafting the limitations section in your discussion chapter, the rapper Eminem is unlikely to come to mind. But after a guest speaker at RMIT University’s Professional Writing and Editing course recommended watching Eminem’s film 8 Mile for its insights into waxing lyrical about your work, I’m inclined to think that […] … learn more→

The admissions scandal highlights how getting into Ivy League schools can be a little, well, quirky. Granted, having the right connections has always helped, and certainly it helps to have the right political views (hi Mr. Hogg, still waiting to hear why you’re getting into Harvard even with those low SAT scores no Asian could […] … learn more→

On 21 March 2019, the annual report of the European agency Erasmus + presented the results of the famous European student exchange program showing an increase in the number of beneficiaries (+33% between 2014 and 2017 for outgoing mobility from France ) and a social “democratization” of the system, now open to students in vocational […] … learn more→

The law on the freedoms and responsibilities of universities (LRU) of 10 August 2007 provided for the autonomy of universities at 1 st  January 2013. They would then have a freedom in research funding from private donors through foundations. Inspired by the successful North American model, these foundations encouraged alumni to donate to the universities they attended. By extension, the […] … learn more→

The nature of global communication (for better and worse) has changed. Virtually all young people in Australia spend an average of nine hours a day online and about three hours of that interacting on social media. That means they spend more time online than sleeping. Smartphones and smart technologies are our personal assistants with diary, shopping, research, translation, social and telecommunications capabilities […] … learn more→

I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for anything ‘artisanal’. I love homeware shops full of hand crafted ceramic bowls, grocery stores with local honey and cafes with stripped brick walls and special regional coffees. I am nearly 50 (I know, I can hardly believe it either) so as soon as I become aware that a […] … learn more→