I’m finally writing a paper. It’s one that’s been percolating for about a year. A year, that’s actually not a long time in the making. That’s just the way it is sometimes. As much as you might want it to be otherwise, some ideas just take their own good time to coalesce. I’ve assumed until […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
The slow paper
We are hurtling towards a million international students in Australia – migration changes will only slow this growth, not stop it
The Australian government is aiming to rein in the growth of international students in its new migration policy, released on Monday. This is in response to record levels of international students entering the country once COVID-related border closures were lifted. Current and former international students living in Australia already number 860,000 and are hurtling towards one […] … learn more→
Publishing in top ranked journals
Doctoral and emerging researchers often believe that they must, from the very get go, publish in highly ranked journals. Where does this idea come from. Well sometimes word of mouth. Sometimes universities may try to point researchers in the top ranked journal direction. Some universities actually offer clear instructions about what journals to choose via […] … learn more→
These programs make college possible for students with developmental disabilities
For students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, opportunities to attend college may appear few and far between. But this is changing, thanks to inclusive postsecondary education – known as IPSE – programs at colleges across the United States. Here are some important things to know about these programs. What is inclusive postsecondary education? Inclusive postsecondary education refers to […] … learn more→
Australian uni students are warming to ChatGPT. But they want more clarity on how to use it
ChatGPT is one year old today. Depending on who you ask, this technology either spells great doom or great opportunity for education. With ChatGPT capable of passing graduate-level exams, there have been calls for universities to drastically change assessments, amid concerns it will lead to cheating and students disengaging with their studies. Some academics and students have also expressed enthusiasm at the potential […] … learn more→
How your money is helping subsidise sexism in academia – and what you can do about it
It’s frightening to imagine where the world would be right now without mRNA vaccines. The COVID-busting technology revolutionised vaccine development at an internationally critical moment – with massive implications for people’s health, wellbeing and the global economy. Yet imagine we must – because some of the research most crucial to the development of mRNA vaccines almost didn’t […] … learn more→
Write short to help write with authority
One of the hardest aspects of academic writing is working out how to take a suitably authoritative stance. To be read as an expert. To sound like an authority on your topic. It’s all very well for people like me to say Well don’t be too assertive but don’t be too shrinking violet. What does this […] … learn more→
Education linked to better employment prospects upon release from prison
Better job prospects. Higher wages. A greater chance of staying out of jail. Those are the key outcomes that we discovered for incarcerated people who get an education while serving their time. Our findings were published in the American Journal of Criminal Justice. They are based on an analysis of research studies on the effects of prison […] … learn more→
A letter to reviewer 2
Dear Reviewer 2, I guess your ears often burn. You know how it is when people read your reviews. That must be hard for you – I know you spend time reading and working out what to say. I also guess you must be used to getting letters which answer back and/or show how trying […] … learn more→
South African university students use AI to help them understand – not to avoid work
When ChatGPT was released in November 2022, it sparked many conversations and moral panics. These centre on the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on the information environment. People worry that AI chatbots can negatively affect the integrity of creative and academic work, especially since they can produce human-like texts and images. ChatGPT is a generative AI model […] … learn more→
