I recently upgraded from my Masters by Research program to a PhD. A little while afterwards, I received this enquiry from a colleague: “I have a friend who wants to start a PhD, preferably with an Aussie university. He has done several years of fieldwork already but has no Masters, just an honours from a […] … learn more→

This is one of a very occasional set of posts about some of my own academic work that you might find useful. A colleague and I have just undertaken what is called in the (academic) trade a Rapid Evidence Review. Or, as I have come to think of it, Quick Lit. An RER is a form […] … learn more→

There has been quite a lot of discussion in the Times Higher Education over the last few weeks questioning the purpose of lectures at university. As my contribution, I would like to advance a rather unfashionable view, but before doing so let me say what I don’t think they are for. Robert Reid argued that “the ‘sage on the […] … learn more→

I hardly know where to begin today. Anyone watching the news knows that basically everything you say, everything you do, is now recorded somewhere. Anyone reading the news knows that if you’re in the crosshairs of the powers that be…everything you’ve said and done will be scoured (and possibly twisted) for something that is “wrong,” […] … learn more→

According to a recent study, the rates of suicide among students in the UK has reached record levels. The international study, by Raymond Kwok and colleagues at Hong Kong University’s Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, provides further evidence that large numbers of students attending UK universities are struggling to maintain their mental health. The study […] … learn more→

As the deadline for applications for mid-year admission to university approaches, prospective students face two important choices: what to study, and at which university. If past experience is any guide, places at the Group of Eight (Go8) universities will be in high demand. In 2017, the Go8 universities attracted the largest share of undergraduate applications and rejected more applications than any […] … learn more→

With effective international responses to climate change floundering, people are increasingly considering what they can do personally to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. This concern has crept into research communities too, with a number of thoughtful articles and projects highlighting the hypocrisy of the jet-setting lifestyles of many academics. Paul Williams, professor of atmospheric science at […] … learn more→

Even though for-profit colleges get a bad rap for being predatory and leaving students saddled with debt but no degree, a significant number of private nonprofit and public colleges have the same issues. For example, a recent analysis examined 781 colleges where most students borrow and few can repay their loans. While the analysis found that 73 percent of […] … learn more→

I have been mentored by three professors for an extended period of time, who for the purpose of this article, will be known as Professor Autonomy, Professor Mastery and Professor Meaning. This also happens to be the order in which I encountered them. What I have learned is that in order to be a professor […] … learn more→

I know I’ve written of the tremendous glut of Ph.D.s before, but I feel this is an important issue that needs addressing, for two big reasons. First, many schools are basically degree mills, cranking out diplomas in exchange for those sweet student loan checks. The students learned nothing in their degree programs, so when they […] … learn more→