Submitted my methodology chapter a week ago today and am now awaiting for the outcome. It is a little odd waiting for the reply and the outcome. Will they like it? Am I still miles off?
In the mean time, this weekend I am working on a draft of the Literature Review to be submitted by 2nd October. Not easy to know how much it should contain, what I should be saying in it and whether it is analytical enough. I am trying to weave the theories of social capital and soft power through but in such a way that the entire chapter builds to the discussion (and adoption) of these standpoints but without overlooking or rushing other arguments. This really is a little harder than I would have expected.
It is also about adapting a style that, for me, both tells a story and guides the reader simply through (like journalism) but also allows for discussion. I am aiming for the style of Peter Scott - himself a former journalist - in his writing about Higher Education. Some academics are said to be 'hard to read' or 'challengin'; whilst not wanting to reduce academic levels, what is the point in not trying to make sure the writing can be accessible and thought-provoking for as many as possible.
So whilst waiting for the feedback on the one chapter, working on another, it is clear that there is a long way to go in terms of being a confident, accessible and engaging academic writer.
Friday 23 September 2011
The EU is more than the Euro & worth defending
Earlier today I wrote the following flow diagram on twitter:
If cross-EU education projects are cut due to a lack of funds and a lack of confidence in the EU's aims, then future generations will be less aware of th EU's importance and the close bonds between European nations. Money - or specifically a currency - is only part of EU project. Robert Schuman saw his economic alliance as being way to political/social stability. Allowing economic issues to dominate or even end powerful this grouping of nations would be to miss out on its cultural, social and political impact.
Don't get me wrong, the Euro will most likely not exist in its current format in a year or two's time. The strongest argument I have heard is that Greece will exit (and probably sooner rather than later), a northern alliance of Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands will develop. The role of Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Italy (each with their own economic issues) is less clear and a second level of economic union is imaginable with the likes of the UK, Denmark and Sweden remaing as part of the more political alliance. But there are an awful lot of strong relationships, close cultural/political relations have developped within the EU framework over the last 5 decades.
In other words: Eurosceptics will use this current economic crisis to condemn EU. Don't let them. The EU is far more than the Euro.
And anyway what would this do to my PhD on EU HE policy?! The introduction is almost out of date before it's finished.
#LoveEU #LoveHE
EU economic crisis -> EU political crisis -> No money/will for EU Education/Social policies -> UK Unis could lose cash.So the EU Economic crisis could affect EU Higher Education as there is not enough money to go around; thus the future of important international collaborations & student exchanges is unclear.
If cross-EU education projects are cut due to a lack of funds and a lack of confidence in the EU's aims, then future generations will be less aware of th EU's importance and the close bonds between European nations. Money - or specifically a currency - is only part of EU project. Robert Schuman saw his economic alliance as being way to political/social stability. Allowing economic issues to dominate or even end powerful this grouping of nations would be to miss out on its cultural, social and political impact.
Don't get me wrong, the Euro will most likely not exist in its current format in a year or two's time. The strongest argument I have heard is that Greece will exit (and probably sooner rather than later), a northern alliance of Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands will develop. The role of Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Italy (each with their own economic issues) is less clear and a second level of economic union is imaginable with the likes of the UK, Denmark and Sweden remaing as part of the more political alliance. But there are an awful lot of strong relationships, close cultural/political relations have developped within the EU framework over the last 5 decades.
In other words: Eurosceptics will use this current economic crisis to condemn EU. Don't let them. The EU is far more than the Euro.
And anyway what would this do to my PhD on EU HE policy?! The introduction is almost out of date before it's finished.
#LoveEU #LoveHE
Wednesday 21 September 2011
882 miles, 5 countries in 5 days & great discoveries in the low countries ... or why we need the EU.
Travelling over what used to be multiple borders, each with their own immigration and hardly hitting the break peddle is a strange experience. One is aware that something has changed: the signs change colour and from one dialect to another, there are a few more bicyclists in one country, better road maintenance in another. But during my travels through France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg, it struck me that one eased between each country, both in terms of crossing the border and in terms of the culture. Flemish, French, Germanic and Anglo-Saxon culture could be observed in varying amounts in almost every part of the 'low countries'. Architecture, languages and borders were smudged, unclear.
My travelling companion and I discussed the importance of the EU; his argument against the EU sort of went as follows:
1. What activity could or would not happen at cross-national level? Is the EU just another level of government?
2. Isn't the EU simply adding expense & regulation when the individual nation state or, even, the individual person would do better alone? For example, Switzerland & Norway participate in EU programmes with tangential links to the EU, the UK & Denmark participate financially without the Euro.
But, my counter arguments went as follows:
1. Activity is not at cross-national but multi-national level. Student exchanges and research projects are increasingly not working between 2 countries but between 3, 6, 10; I am not convinced this would happen with any uniformity of service - if at all - without some co-ordinating power.
2. The size of some states and their budgets would stop some of the activity. For example, BeNeLux already felt an alliance was better as jointly they had more influence and capacity.
3. There is a clear pride and sense of identity in being associated with the EU.
And this is why the EU has to work; currencies may come and go but the idea of not travelling freely or working together would greatly impinge on the lives of many Europeans. As a nation on the edge, the UK often condemns the EU but it is only when one sees the power, ease, complexity & uniform acceptance of co-operation face to face that it becomes clear it will last in some form.
This is the position that Robert Schuman wanted Europe to get to when he founded the fore-father of the EU, the European Coal and Steel Community. He wanted war not only to be impossible but to be unthinkable. As a man born in Luxembourg, graduating from German Universities and then French when Alsace-Lorraine was annexed, he was a French & European politician, a true example of what it is to be European.
Today, Schuman's vision is mostly true, my trip across Europe was proof of integration, our defence of the EU and the Euro needs to be in the same vain: there is too much to lose by not working together.
My travelling companion and I discussed the importance of the EU; his argument against the EU sort of went as follows:
1. What activity could or would not happen at cross-national level? Is the EU just another level of government?
2. Isn't the EU simply adding expense & regulation when the individual nation state or, even, the individual person would do better alone? For example, Switzerland & Norway participate in EU programmes with tangential links to the EU, the UK & Denmark participate financially without the Euro.
But, my counter arguments went as follows:
1. Activity is not at cross-national but multi-national level. Student exchanges and research projects are increasingly not working between 2 countries but between 3, 6, 10; I am not convinced this would happen with any uniformity of service - if at all - without some co-ordinating power.
2. The size of some states and their budgets would stop some of the activity. For example, BeNeLux already felt an alliance was better as jointly they had more influence and capacity.
3. There is a clear pride and sense of identity in being associated with the EU.
And this is why the EU has to work; currencies may come and go but the idea of not travelling freely or working together would greatly impinge on the lives of many Europeans. As a nation on the edge, the UK often condemns the EU but it is only when one sees the power, ease, complexity & uniform acceptance of co-operation face to face that it becomes clear it will last in some form.
This is the position that Robert Schuman wanted Europe to get to when he founded the fore-father of the EU, the European Coal and Steel Community. He wanted war not only to be impossible but to be unthinkable. As a man born in Luxembourg, graduating from German Universities and then French when Alsace-Lorraine was annexed, he was a French & European politician, a true example of what it is to be European.
Today, Schuman's vision is mostly true, my trip across Europe was proof of integration, our defence of the EU and the Euro needs to be in the same vain: there is too much to lose by not working together.
Tuesday 20 September 2011
So it’s been a while…
And there has been a good reason for this. AS you know, I’ve been changing tutors. 10 days ago it was confirmed that I am changing to Dr. Chris Lloyd and retaining Dr. David Rose.
All good news and I am pleased with the final resolution; that said given that and everything else that has been going on my life, the PhD is running a bit behind on me graduating in 15 months time and is mor looking like 2 years hence but it is still hopeful.
I am in the process of updating all the work and submitting drafts of the methodology and literature review chapters. As I do this, new thoughts are coming up and I am feeling more invogorated with the research. I am also feeling keen to finish the work. Just finishing will also help me to think where I am going in life and where I want my career to head.
So, no promises of regular blogs vut there should be now something to type about!!
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