Most everyday objects contain writing of some kind along with other semiotic codes (drawings, arrows, diagrams). There is an innovative methodology called ” Realia with writing”, which promotes the consideration of these objects as pedagogical resources, which are integrated naturally in the learning of a language. We have applied this methodology to the reflection on the mother tongue itself . In […] … learn more→

After August 2012, the Australian government introduced “deterrence policies” for asylum seekers who arrive here by boat. Part of this is keeping them on temporary visas and giving them almost no feasible pathway to permanent residency. Many linger in detention centres, while others who may be in community detention still face constraints on their freedoms. Many live […] … learn more→

Interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary are all nice buzzwords. But talk of “breaking down the barriers” is all too often a cover for breaking down academic disciplines to create administrative flexibility. This is a disaster in the making for both research and education. This is why the proposal to abolish departments in the arts and social sciences at […] … learn more→

After two years of living through a pandemic, thoughts of returning to normal have shifted to focus on establishing a “new normal.” The COVID-19 pandemic yielded profound changes to research activities and operations at universities. These have had impacts on the career progression, productivity, health and well-being of faculty members. With colleagues, I conducted a national Canadian survey of tenured and tenure-track faculty members at […] … learn more→

A Mitchell Institute report shines a light on how quality teaching and innovation in universities can dramatically improve learning. The report found the Victoria University Block Model of teaching cut the fail rate for first-year students by around 40%. The model involves rearranging the timetable so students take one subject at a time in a four-week “block” of intensive […] … learn more→

Black and Latino students who start out majoring in STEM – or science, technology, engineering or mathematics – are more likely than their white peers to switch fields or leave without a degree. Some students leave because they feel isolated on campus. Others may lack the type of technical skills, such as effective communication in science, needed to persist […] … learn more→

Masters and doctoral degrees can help advance careers and promote change in society , from protecting human rights, protecting the environment and gender equality to religious, racial and cultural solidarity. However, female students who have children face special challenges when it comes to pursuing higher education. Research conducted in the United Arab Emirates in 2017 explained that the dual […] … learn more→

International students are returning to Australia after almost two years of closed borders. The number of international students in Australia increased by 29,856 in the first six weeks after the Australian government opened the border to them in mid-December. But there are still about 300,000 fewer international students in Australia than before the pandemic. Around 147,000 current student visa […] … learn more→

Many universities, facing revenue losses due to COVID-19, announced major staff cuts over the past two years. Estimates of the job losses have ranged from 12,000 by October 2020 to as high as 35,000 in the year to May 2021. These estimates drew on university announcements and a general ABS labour force survey. I explain the problems with these estimates in more detail here. […] … learn more→

Do you have a bit of writing that is stuck? I don’t mean you can’t get any words down on the page. I mean you have some writing where you just can’t work out what to do next. You think. You put the writing away for a bit. You go for a walk. You do […] … learn more→