I completed my PhD after a pretty substantial professional career. Then, I went into an academic job and jumped straight into my own small research projects. Now, somewhat later, I direct larger and longer research projects, often with a colleague and a small research team. This team almost always includes a new PhD, an early career researcher – and their […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
A researcher on someone else’s project?
Students loans and the Berkeley riots
I must commend the right-wing speakers for their courage. Despite living under the constant threat of violence, they still feel the need to try to spread their message, try to explain their point of view. I’ve written a few times of how these speakers are consistently removed from campus, because administration fears that their presence […] … learn more→
How the humble comic book could become the next classroom superhero
You might think comics are just packed full of superheroes, funny animals and silly jokes, and you wouldn’t be far wrong. But while the term “comic book” might also bring to mind something that is outdated and just for young kids, what you might not know is that comics are being used to great effect […] … learn more→
Why the audit culture made me quit
When, in 2015, I started my blog critically analysing marketisation, consumerism and audit culture in universities, I was aware that a large number of academic staff in anglophone universities seemed to be leaving the profession. I didn’t expect to be joining them quite this soon. Late last summer, for instance, Sara Ahmed very publicly resigned […] … learn more→
‘Banned from our own lives’: intellectuals mourn the Turkey that once was
I write life for those who can catch it in a breath, in an exhale. Like one picks a fruit on a branch, like tearing out a root. – Asli Erdoğan, from Taş Bina ve Diğerleri. Until very recently, Turkey was the place to be. The country offered space for everyone: all shades of Islamists […] … learn more→
University of London: Whites can’t teach
Just when I think higher education can’t become any more warped…it reaches a new level of dementedness. Let’s take a look: Old white academics are ‘unable’ to teach black students because they’re potentially racist, complain students People, even very educated people, say some pretty stupid things at times, but how exactly did this level of […] … learn more→
Be the mouse
While in the early stages of writing up my PhD I had a baby and now I find myself simultaneously immersed in academic journals and picture books, lab work and bum-wiping, searching for references and for tiny sun hats. Independently PhDs and babies can take over one’s life. When combined, everything from both of these […] … learn more→
Scientists create electric circuits inside plants
Plants power life on Earth. They are the original food source supplying energy to almost all living organisms and the basis of the fossil fuels that feed the power demands of the modern world. But burning the remnants of long-dead forests is changing the world in dangerous ways. Can we better harness the power of […] … learn more→
Younger is not always better when it comes to learning a second language
It’s often thought that it is better to start learning a second language at a young age. But research shows that this is not necessarily true. In fact, the best age to start learning a second language can vary significantly, depending on how the language is being learned. The belief that younger children are better […] … learn more→
New series -#wakeupreader
When my son was about ten years old we went on holiday to Perth. We didn’t fly, as many people do. We drove from Adelaide where we lived. That’s a distance of 2691.44 km, about twenty-four hours driving time. It takes around three days, even more if you stop along the way. A lot of the […] … learn more→
