Writing

Labour Exploitation in Academia

Is exploitation acceptable when it comes with the prestige of a PhD?

Unconventional Solutions

The Centre for Human Ecology is feeling the financial crunch that's squeezing all of higher education. Its response is to call upon its most valuable resource: its graduates.

Research Ethics

Ethics paperwork protects the rights of research participants... But is there more to ethics than paperwork?

An Unlikely Gunman

Sociologists are supposed to help understand troubling social phenomena like murder -- not become murderers themselves.

Intellectual growth

Marking first-year essays has reminded me of where I started, and everything I've learned along the way.

Essay-writing

All British university students are required to write essays.... So why isn't essay-writing taught anywhere?

Tutoring and Technology

My first experiences with tutoring, and why technology can supplement real teaching -- not replace it.

Useful for whom?

Universities pursuing the advancement of society -- or the advancement of business interests?

New Year

The start of my second year brings me out of silence, and into questions about what kind of academic I want to be.

Summer

Reflections on the PhD process, and preparing for the year ahead.

Reflections on Technology

The technology that is indispensible to modern research, and low-tech solutions for the problems it creates.

Reading and Transformation

My style of learning and understanding has completely changed -- and now I understand the point of a PhD.

Luck and the Waiting Game

In the scramble for limited funding, it's a game of hurry up and wait -- for students and departments alike.

Venture-Capitalism and Higher Education

In many sectors, we invest in the areas that promise the greatest short-term rewards. Is this an appropriate model for educational funding?

Procrastination

The important role of procrastination in the intellectual process: maybe it's not just laziness.

Fundraising and Pride

The reality of American universities' fundraising strategies.... Does Scotland really want to cultivate a "culture of giving?"

Anorexia in Academia

In the high-pressure environment of universities, some students develop eating disorders to gain a sense of control.

Confidence and Motivation

In moving from details to the big picture thinking, I suffered a crisis of confidence and discovered that a PhD is about a lot more than intellect.

Gender Bias on the Web

Case studies on student advice websites show disturbing sexist tendencies. Maybe I should take up stripping to fund my PhD?

Just the Right Place

After a formidable search through the social science departments of Scotland, I found the perfect fit: a place with radical politics, a visionary attitude, and helpful people.

Funding

The politics of funding for international students: subsidising the wealthy and excluding the poor in a country that wants "fresh talent."

The Eureka Moment

The beautiful sensation of seeing everything fall into place, just for a moment: an intellectual high.

Gentrification

The politics of student accommodation: examining Edinburgh council's proposal to limit student housing.

Sick

The flu, from a PhD perspective: not what I expected.

What's it for?

Reflections on the wider purposes of higher education, beyond vocational training.

Freshers' Weeks

Cultural differences between students in Edinburgh and Glasgow: demographics, class, and attitudes.

Looking Ahead

Reflections at the start of my PhD.