In praise of teaching September 19, 2009
Posted by gesta in Academia, Debate.Tags: higher education policy, teaching
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There has recently been a series of articles in the Times Higher and in other places reflecting, bemoaning and sometimes downright scaring on the state of higher education and universities in the UK. At the core of these debates is the question of what are our universities for? Are the people who comprise the faculty an elite squad of researchers who happen to pass on the benefits of their expertise to students in their spare time? Are they teaching, or, rather, instructing machines? And that’s before we even get to the admin.
IMC 2010: Medieval Routes September 9, 2009
Posted by gesta in Medieval.Tags: IMC, roads, routes, space
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I am involved in organising some sessions for next year’s Leeds based on different medieval routes. We have a couple of gaps in various sessions, so if anyone has anything to say about the following please get in touch:
- German roads, routes and itineraries, particularly if these relate to palaces or the military orders
- Pilgrimage routes around the Mediterranean
- The Silk Road
We are particularly interested in papers that explore experience of routes from a narrative, archaeological or cartographic perspective. Please send proposals to Marianne O’Doherty as soon as possible. Thanks. Call for Papers
Permanency September 6, 2009
Posted by gesta in Academia.Tags: Academia, jobs
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I am in a very fortunate position: when asked that extremely rude question, second only to ‘when will you finish your thesis/book?’, when will you get a permanent job?, I can now blow a big, fat raspberry in the enquirer’s face. Yes, I am now permanent, back to part time, but nonetheless, here to stay! This has led to some rather odd experiences, not least of all people in a similar position and some postgrads asking me how I’ve achieved this. (more…)
