What to do about Rhodes and other evils

I recently read Joanna Williams' piece in the Conversation, "Safe space hand wringers are attacking academic freedom – we must fight back". I have also been party to both academic and dinner-table conversations that addressed freedom of speech and cultural representation, currently exemplified by the Rhodes Must Fall in Oxford (RMFO) debate. A number of themes merge into a wider … Continue reading What to do about Rhodes and other evils

Usurpation of the University?

Transcendence - transgression - is the modality of human being in the world… The urge to transcend is the most stubbornly present … attribute of human existence (Bauman 2002, 222-23). Last August I discussed a symposium to be held at the Australian Philosophy of Education Society with David Aldridge. That never happened but this note … Continue reading Usurpation of the University?

Usurpation: the condition of the university?

Usurpation might better be seen as the condition of the university than as a problem for any particular aspect of that complex phenomenon: higher education today. Taking Subramaniam, Perrucci, & Whitlock's (2014) theoretical framework of social and intellectual closure we might see usurpation as - in parts and in places - an ameliorating response to … Continue reading Usurpation: the condition of the university?

Getting away with it (a blimage challenge)

Bounced off Steve Wheeler's post, "Blimy its a blimage" and thought I could be a nay-sayer or a player (more on which somewhere else maybe). The image was of old school desks shot from above. The challenge -- for the Blimage is a challenge -- is to write an education-related piece about the image. Two … Continue reading Getting away with it (a blimage challenge)

Humanities and Social Sciences Research at Brookes

Semi-live blogging from the Faculty research conference. Yet more 1000-mile questions. In general, academics need to learn that not keeping to time is unprofessional and disrespectful of colleagues and audience. Roger Griffin on Nomic modernity. Cites Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, as well as old and new academic writers in a compelling whirl of suggestions about … Continue reading Humanities and Social Sciences Research at Brookes

The role of the PVC International (PVCI)

Alastair Fitt, Vice Chancellor, on the role of the PVC International (PVCI), Thursday 23 April 2015 These comments and reflections are mine and do not necessarily represent the views of the Vice Chancellor, Oxford Brookes University or any other member of the audience. The Vice Chancellor’s talk, which opened the Internationalisation Steering Group’s Away Day, … Continue reading The role of the PVC International (PVCI)

Brookes Learning & Teaching Conference (#bltc15)

Before the conference Richard Francis, David Aldridge and I led two "Walk and Talk" sessions on "a framework for inclusive learning?" (pdf). I have been exercising this framework in several contexts, most fully, perhaps, at the SEDA conference (Roberts & Francis 2014). However, I have to say that although the discussions were superb, the framework … Continue reading Brookes Learning & Teaching Conference (#bltc15)

Widening Participation Working Group Away Day (Oxford Brookes University)

Semi-live notes from very interesting and data filled Oxford Brookes University Widening Participation Working Group Away Day at Marston Road. (Of 30 people in the room only one obviously black man and two Asian women. Matches our BME student profile? c. 10%) The day was framed by demographics about where Brookes sits, and politics in … Continue reading Widening Participation Working Group Away Day (Oxford Brookes University)

University learning? A thousand-mile question (for discussion Tuesday, 09/12/2014, 1700)

Here is an advanced draft of the paper I was to have been giving today (9 December 2014) at Oxford Brookes University School of Education. Abstract As well as providing locations of learning and teaching, higher education is an important focus of much political debate. This paper sets out through an open epistemological narrative inquiry … Continue reading University learning? A thousand-mile question (for discussion Tuesday, 09/12/2014, 1700)

FutureLearn Pedagogy Platform: does big matter

Went to a webinar yesterday: OWLET - Open Webinars for Learning and Enhancing Teaching from University Campus Ipswitch. First time using Hangouts. (does not afford "proper" chat). There were according to the G+ post 9 people who "watched" Mike Sharples, Professor of Education Technology speak on "Innovating Pedagogy". Very much a "presentation" with some interaction … Continue reading FutureLearn Pedagogy Platform: does big matter