Doctoral writers are expected to show “criticality” in their thinking and writing. But what does this actually mean? Criticality has a specific academic meaning. A meaning that isn’t quite the same as the one that is in ordinary use. It’s a bit like “argument”. Outside the scholarly world, an argument is where people disagree with […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
Criticality in the PhD – nine things to avoid
Tumult and transformation: the story of Australian universities over the past 30 years
The Universities Accord has been billed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to “reimagine” Australian higher education and plan for the future over a “30-year horizon”. After an interim report in July, the review panel is due to finalise its work in December. This is expected to cover everything from student fees to international students, research and working conditions. But what is the […] … learn more→
Global university rankings now include social impact: African universities are off to a strong start
World university rankings are released towards the end of each year. Institutions globally scramble to see how they have fared. Have they risen or fallen? If so, by how much and in which rankings? Have they maintained their position in an increasingly competitive global higher education landscape? There have been some improvements in African universities’ performances. But […] … learn more→
To better understand addiction, students in this course take a close look at liquor in literature
Title of course: Alcohol in American Literature What prompted the idea for the course? I got the idea for the course when I was writing a chapter on the temperance movement in American literature for my doctoral dissertation. I ended up reading a lot of fiction and poetry about alcohol and the anti-alcohol movement. I […] … learn more→
This is how future architects use artificial intelligence
In recent decades, architects have seen how CAD (computer-aided design software) tools have complemented and even replaced freehand drawing. Technology to create 2D plans, 3D modeling, render projects and edit images has become essential for architectural professionals, facilitating communication with colleagues and clients. Today, artificial intelligence in this field goes beyond aesthetics. Experts point out that AI will not […] … learn more→
Writing a journal article – 8 steps to so what and now what
This post is a generalisation. Be warned. But the general stuff in this post does hold for most things you’ll write for most journals. Just not all. The message in this post is simply this – journals generally do not publish only research results. Yes, you heard me. But let me put it another way. Research results alone […] … learn more→
Universities: how inequalities have strengthened in France and the United Kingdom
The higher education systems in France and the United Kingdom have experienced significant turbulence in recent years. Establishments, students and staff appear increasingly vulnerable. Universities are in budgetary difficulty , students are struggling with debt and poverty , and academic staff are facing a loss of purchasing power (salaries and pensions) and increasing precariousness. On both sides of the Channel, teaching […] … learn more→
Dual enrollment can save college students time and money − but there’s one risk to avoid
In a recent talk about new ways to do college admissions, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona spoke about his own experience taking a college course while still in high school. He was referring to dual enrollment – an increasingly common practice in which high school students take college courses, simultaneously earning high school and college credit. A 2019 report showed […] … learn more→
Finding your favorite writers
Everyone has favorite writers. Books and other scholars that they return to again and again. Well, if you don’t, perhaps you might consider it. Some of my favorite writings speak to my current work. Other writing is not so obviously useful. In fact its very pleasure might well lie in its non-immediacy. In the fact […] … learn more→
This engineering course has students use their brainwaves to create performing art
Title of course: “Arts and Geometry” What prompted the idea for the course? After a serious injury in 2016, I started drawing and painting during my recovery as a form of self-taught art therapy. I found the experience transformative. During my recovery, I rediscovered Pablo Picasso’s artwork and the geometry of his cubism, which inspired […] … learn more→
