Lately I’ve been hearing from pissed off PhD students – both people enrolled at my university and others. The cost of living is high, higher education in Australia is in crisis and people, understandably, want Out. Heaps of later stage students are landing nearly finished manuscripts on their supervisors’ desks. Sadly, their supervisors don’t seem […] … learn more→
Blog Archives

Getting good feedback during the academic apocalypse

Why should humanities education persist in an AI age? Self-development, to start
Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots has become rampant among students in higher education. While some might be ambivalent about the impact of generative AI on higher education, many instructors in the humanities scramble to adapt their classes to the new reality and have declared a crisis of their teaching model. Professors and students alike […] … learn more→

University internationalization, a tool for global understanding
The internationalisation of higher education has been, for decades, a key vehicle for fostering global understanding and cultural exchange. Student mobility programmes, international talent recruitment and cross-country research collaboration have contributed to an innovative and connected global educational ecosystem. However, in recent years, geopolitical tensions, coupled with economic and security challenges, are fragmenting this common […] … learn more→

What ChatGPT changes in student assessment
At a time when so-called generative AIs amaze us with their prowess, how can we correctly assess the achievements of pupils and students? Is the emergence of the ChatGPT conversational robot likely to disrupt assessment practices? Are the issues being raised in a radically new way or is there ultimately nothing really new under the […] … learn more→

Navigating deepfakes and synthetic media: This course helps students demystify artificial intelligence technologies
Title of course: AI Literacy and Building Resilience to Misinformation What prompted the idea for the course? As an associate director of a college library, I’ve watched artificial intelligence technologies become commonplace in society. They help shape our media. They influence our social interactions. And they’re also reshaping education. Through conversations with colleagues and students, I discovered an urgent […] … learn more→

American studies degrees are declining in popularity – but the subject has never been more important
We’re witnessing a momentous period in US history and culture. A second Donald Trump presidency promises to be just as turbulent, if not more so, than his first term in office. A proper understanding of how the US works is going to be vital in years to come. The UK will need people with this knowledge […] … learn more→

Films can change the world – why universities and film schools should teach impact strategies
When was the last time a film changed the way you saw the world? Or the way you behaved? Miners Shot Down (2014) countered mainstream media narratives to reveal how striking mine workers were gunned down by police at Marikana in South Africa. Black Fish (2013) made US theme park SeaWorld’s stock prices plummet. And Virunga (2014) stopped the British […] … learn more→

International university grads speak about aspirations and barriers
For the first time in nearly 30 years, a majority of Canadians believe there is too much immigration, with international students becoming a focal point of public scrutiny. A 2024 survey by the Environics Institute showed that only 27 per cent of Canadians view international post-secondary students as a high priority among immigration categories. International students are often […] … learn more→

Authoring for post/PhDers – the problem of gift authorship
One of the most common questions I am asked, and that I hear being discussed in doctoral and ECR support groups, is whether to write with supervisors and former supervisors. Or most often, I read on social media about problems that come from writing with supervisors and former supervisors. Now, in some disciplines writing with […] … learn more→

How virtual reality technologies are shaping an inclusive future for architecture
Imagine stepping into your dream home before it is even built. Virtual reality (VR) technologies are revolutionizing architecture by allowing clients to walk through their future spaces, change details and experience the space before construction. VR bridges the gap between imagination and reality. But this transformation goes beyond esthetics. VR offers many opportunities for how architects design, […] … learn more→