As noted by Burgio et al. (2019), the expectation that post-doctoral scholars move for short-term positions poses a particular burden for under-represented groups, including women, which contributes to perpetuating bias and reducing diversity. The global COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity to explore alternative options, such as remote or hybrid postdoctoral fellowships. We’ve been experimenting […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
Designing your remote or hybrid post-doctoral fellowship
How universities can support Indigenous online learners in the pandemic
As the second wave of the pandemic wears on, Indigenous students are facing challenges. At Athabasca University, we conducted a study to learn how Indigenous students at our university are doing with online learning in the pandemic. Our colleagues Martin Connors, professor of space sciences/physics and Barbara Reis, a master of education student, were part of […] … learn more→
A century that profoundly changed universities and their campuses
Once the first atomic bomb exploded on July 16 1945 in New Mexico, the world would never be the same again. Scientists and engineers had turned an obscure principle into a weapon of unprecedented power. Los Alamos, the facility where the bomb was designed, was run by the University of California. This was a turning point […] … learn more→
Another journal rejection? Put on your helmet
I had two papers rejected this week: one by a psychiatry journal, the other by a business ethics journal. The former was a “desk rejection”, communicated via the usual cut-and-pasted paragraphs from an “associate editor”, whatever that is. The latter enclosed two reviews: one lukewarm, the other distinctly chilly. That paper had been rejected before. […] … learn more→
Black sororities have stood at the forefront of Black achievement for more than a century
In her speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention Kamala Harris saluted seven women who “inspired us to pick up the torch and fight on.” All but two of them, one of whom was her mother, belonged to Black sororities. Harris also mentioned her own Black sorority, saying: “Family is my beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha.” Many Americans may […] … learn more→
5 ways for teachers to build a good rapport with their students online
Of all the things needed for academic success, one of the most essential is for students to have a good rapport with their instructors. This is particularly true in the digital classroom, where research has shown that students who have a good rapport with their teachers are more likely to stick with a class and get good grades. As a community […] … learn more→
‘You’re running down a dead end’: stranded students feel shame and pressure to give up study
A petition from more than 17,000 international students asking for exemptions to the border closure was presented to the Australian parliament last week. The latest available figures show about 20% of Australia’s enrolled international students were stranded offshore. Of the 92,191 in this position, 70% were Chinese. We worked with Chinese international students to collect 28 written accounts of […] … learn more→
COVID killed the on-campus lecture, but will unis raise it from the dead?
Throughout the world, COVID-19 health regulations have made the on-campus lecture mostly defunct. And most Australian universities won’t be offering on-campus lectures in 2021. The Australasian Council on Open, Distance and e-Learning (ACODE) recently published a white paper on lectures, based on survey responses from 43 member universities (91% response rate). About two-thirds indicated they would not be […] … learn more→
Meeting your readers’ expectations – a revision strategy
There are multiple ways to revise a paper. If you’re revising, you’ll find a load of strategies on this blog, just search using the key word revision. While none of these is The One Way to sort out your writing, all of them provide A Way to tackle drafts. Having more than one way to […] … learn more→
COVID-19 has dealt a blow to Ethiopia’s private higher education institutions
Ethiopia’s education sector has seen unprecedented challenges since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools and universities were closed for eight months following the confirmation of the first case on March 13, 2020. This put nearly 26 million primary and secondary school students, and around a million tertiary students, out of learning. Over the past few months, the effects of the pandemic […] … learn more→
