Faced with a president and a political party that seem to stand against everything they believe in, most American college leaders and professors went all-in on Joe Biden. But now that Biden has won the presidency, can American higher education get its head above water? Coronavirus has been an obvious body blow, but colleges were […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
US colleges need help, but Biden may not be able to deliver
How to be an anti-racist academic
Many higher education institutions have reacted to the killing of George Floyd earlier this year by pledging to do more to redress racial inequities at all levels of their organisation, from the classroom to the president’s office. Yet how can we be sure that this change moves beyond superficial fixes to true, sustainable cultural shifts? […] … learn more→
No one escaped COVID’s impacts, but big fall in tertiary enrolments was 80% women. Why?
The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has been so profound, particularly for women, that it threatens to upend the progress on gender equality in recent years. During the lockdown, women were doing more of the unpaid labour – care and housework. They were also more exposed to the risks of coronavirus either as essential workers or working in […] … learn more→
The University we need: ten ideas
We are very concerned about the consequences that covid-19 is causing in all areas, including higher education. It is understandable because the repercussions are important and will have great significance. But we must not lose perspective. Beyond the pandemic, Universities face decisive challenges that were already there when it began and to which it is convenient to give […] … learn more→
#AcWriMo2020 goals rebooted
At this past the middling point in #Acwrimo2020, it’s good to pause and think about what you have achieved so far. If you have managed to get some writing done most days, then it is worth giving yourself a metaphorical cheer or two – well you can actually cheer out loud if you feel so […] … learn more→
Politicians must rethink their ideas about graduate success
The stereotypical idea of “graduate success” conjures up visions of bright young people wearing smart suits heading off to corporate jobs. This is an important part of the graduate labour market, but it has always been a small part. Graduates work all over the economy, in the public sector, in charities, in small businesses and […] … learn more→
Why I’m leaving higher education
When I left the US for Berlin 10 years ago, I was already contemplating leaving higher education behind me. I had enjoyed teaching at Montana State University for a dozen years, but the employment conditions seemed to deteriorate with each passing year. Pay rates stagnated while the eligibility bar for benefits was raised. A recent […] … learn more→
Western universities must embrace genuinely international partnerships
When we at the University for the Creative Arts opened the Institute for Creativity and Innovation in Xiamen, China this autumn, we weren’t expecting headlines. After all, new overseas campuses have become a familiar story as the UK’s renowned universities do everything they can to protect and enhance their income streams. Except that, for me, […] … learn more→
4 tips for college students to avoid procrastinating with their online work
If you take classes online, chances are you probably procrastinate from time to time. Research shows that more than 70% of college students procrastinate, with about 20% consistently doing it all the time. Procrastination is putting off starting or finishing a task despite knowing that it will seriously compromise the quality of your work – for instance, […] … learn more→
The cost of e-books is hobbling university teaching
Academic librarians are helpers. Facilitating access to learning resources, campus facilities and research materials is the core of what we do. Therefore, not being able to help people is a source of endless frustration to us. We don’t like having to say “no, I’m sorry, I can’t do that” – but that is increasingly what […] … learn more→
