The tasks and weekly work hours of university teaching staff are a constantly topical issue. Although it is in the universities where the majority of research and transfer in Spain takes place, and no one should dispute the importance of science, technology and innovation, there are still sectors in society that identify the work of university […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
What do university teachers spend their time doing?
After the thesis, why do a post-doctorate?
From the collection of data to the promotion of its work through the publication of a first scientific article, The experience of the thesis in management documents the challenges facing doctoral students. Based on feedback from young researchers, the book’s coordinators, Hugo Gaillard, Julien Cloarec, Juliette Senn and Albane Grandazzi, invite readers to put into perspective the questions […] … learn more→
How to facilitate equality in university jobs
Applying the gender perspective to the reality of higher education makes it possible to demonstrate the existence of inequalities and biases that cross the entire system . These inequalities also condition the daily interactions of the students. Especially with regard to group work, the evidence shows a tendency for teachers to evaluate rational, productive and public aspects. As we have analyzed […] … learn more→
Will ChatGPT be the disruptor the academic world needs?
Almost a week after Open AI launched ChatGPT, CEO Sam Altman announced that the chatbot had already surpassed one million users . By January 13, 2023, the global Google search for the word “ChatGPT” reached a popularity score of 92 , and Microsoft has since invested $10 billion in OpenAI . The chatbot reached its maximum capacity and for a few days […] … learn more→
ChatGPT is the push higher education needs to rethink assessment
The COVID-19 pandemic was a shock to higher education systems everywhere. But while some changes, like moving lectures online, were relatively easy to make, assessment posed a much bigger challenge. Assessment can take many forms, from essays to exams to experiments and more. Many institutions and individual academics essentially outsourced the assessment process to software. They […] … learn more→
Women and the university: a slow and tortuous road through history
Andalusian public universities have recently shown their rejection of the exclusion of Afghan women from higher education. This means, in addition to a violation of human rights, global impoverishment. It should be remembered that in Spain women were able to access university studies relatively recently, despite the institution’s medieval origins. An absence that shows the androcentric conception […] … learn more→
Addressing campus sexual violence: New risk assessment tool can help administrators make difficult decisions
How do universities and colleges build safer campuses, and better respond to incidents of sexual and gender-based violence? There isn’t a simple answer to this question. Whatever the response, any solution involves making difficult decisions based on valid tools. We are part of a national collaborative initiative to address and prevent sexual and gender-based violence at post-secondary […] … learn more→
ChatGPT killed the student essay? Philosophers call bullshit
Since ChatGPT was released, many commentators are sounding the alarm about an artificial intelligence (AI) takeover, suggesting that professors will soon be out of a job, or that the student essay is dead. This is reactionary and misguided. ChatGPT, by its very nature, cannot do the kinds of things we ought to want student essays to do. ChatGPT does not, and cannot, […] … learn more→
As uni goes back, here’s how teachers and students can use ChatGPT to save time and improve learning
Universities around Australia are starting the academic year under yet another cloud of uncertainty. After surviving the disruptions of COVID, teachers and students begin this semester under the apparent threat of ChatGPT, which can generate human-like text. Some fear this powerful new technology will increase student cheating and undermine academic integrity. The Universities Accord discussion paper released last week specifically asks […] … learn more→
Preparing for a binge writing session
This post is about organising yourself for a ‘binge writing’ session. While ‘snack writing’ (writing small amounts, consistently) is good practice, there comes a time when deadlines require the strict application of bottom to seat. These binge writing sessions are much better if you prepare well in advance. As I write this, I’m running a thesis […] … learn more→
