Many people working in academia are passionate about their subject area. Supporting individual researchers in this environment requires strategic actions from institutions, mentors, and peers. They strive to know more and to make a positive difference in the world. They commit themselves to their research and to producing high-quality work….>
Academic Careers
Basic skills in Moodle management
Why learning basic skills in Moodle management matters, and how to go about it. Moodle is a well-known Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), and I am sure many of you are already familiar with it, whether as educators or students. Due to the growing shift towards blended and online learning, VLEs…>
How to organise a conference
Having organised several academic events, I wanted to share some practical advice on how to plan a conference from start to finish. Months of isolation made us appreciate the little things in academia. Nothing quite beats the return to in-person conferences: good coffee, and face-to-face conversations that spark ideas! As…>
How important is EDI in HE?
The approach to EDI by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) As both employers and education providers, many HEI’s have chosen to take a robust approach to equality by establishing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policies and strategic plans. In the UK, we are required to adhere to the framework of the…>
Moving to the UK checklist
The United Kingdom, steeped in history and culture, as well as being home to high-quality universities and research opportunities is an appealing option as a prospective PhD candidate or established academic coming from abroad. However, before you make the move to the UK for either study or work purposes, there…>
How do you stay focused when researching?
Imagine spending hours on research, only to realise that you have drifted off course and lost your focus. Academic research and analysis can feel overwhelming, especially when juggling multiple tasks, distractions (because, as we all know, life happens!) and tight deadlines. Whether writing a PhD thesis, preparing a publication, or…>
How to overcome writer’s block
Writer’s block is frustrating and requires patience to overcome… …but it is a common challenge, especially for academics and professionals juggling multiple projects and deadlines, whether working independently or in collaboration. We have all been there before, staring at a blank screen as the deadline looms, unable to type a…>
AI in higher education – where are we now?
It has been a bit less than a year since I wrote a blog post on how generative AI can be used in higher education, with a focus on applications for teaching, research, and admin. I was a relatively early adopter of ChatGPT and have had my subscription to the…>
Exploring AI Careers in Academia: Opportunities in Teaching, Research, and Innovation.
There has undoubtedly been a huge increase in advertised jobs in AI over the last 12 months, and whilst the majority have been advertised in the industrial sector, the trend is mirrored in Higher Education as the demand for teaching AI subjects has increased and the focus shifts to exploring…>
How to keep motivated in the New Year
Staying motivated in January can be tough. However, there are strategies you can use to keep yourself performing well in your work or study. In the article below, we will explore what you can do to be your best in the New Year. You might find it helpful to pick…>