Feedback on the Journal Article

Just received feedback from the article which I am preparing for the special edition of the International Journal of Inclusive Education. It was a little confusing and a little down-hearting. It asked for a couple of things. Firstly, a methodology section which is understandable and a rooky error; I would include one in other articles I am preparing but not in this one. The second one is a firm grounding in the literature of Inclusive Education. As my co-writer and I pointed out when accepting the opportunity, we were not specialists in that field and more linked to international education. The Editor has kindly agreed to support with a few key sentences and some guidance. The third issue was around the anecdotal evidence we use and this is part of the reason we were asked to write as it was meant to be a little more personal and to offer a different perspective on EMSEN. It was as if the reviewer missed this. Again, after discussions with the Editor we have come up with methods around this. But all of this reminded me of how personal all of this academic work is. As I mentioned with the conference paper, it is about allowing one’s ideas out into public where they might be criticised and condemned after a long, personal time of nurturing and development. I suddenly realise a little more why academics are defensive of their research and their bids. At the heart of it, these works symbolise them and are a very personal dialogue with the wider world.

Shirley Valentine

Saw "Shirley Valentine" at the Mernier Chocolate Factory last night; a strong performance by Meera Syal but was helped no end by an excellent script.  It looks at an individual trapped in their everyday life (in this case a woman but I think the theme is broader than women's liberation), insanity (is this the world around us or the one we construct?) and experiences beyond our norm (in this case, an international experience). 

This gave me two thoughts which impact on my research.  Firstly, how much the world has changed since the play was set in the 1980s.  Travel, the freedom of the individual and education have widened the world around us.  The impact of internationalisation and, in my case, international education (whether formal like Erasmus Mundus or informal as in the holiday in this play) are important about allowing people to think about their identity and the role in the world.  Issues which are forgotten in everyday life and in our education system. 

The second thought was a personal one on where I want to be.  Do I feel trapped by my job?  Do I miss the time to do research?  Do I want that (international) academic career?  What about that trip across the Baltic and Nordic States?  Life traps people by accident - we all need food and something to excite our grey matter - but I do not want to regret not doing things.  And one of those things is finally becoming Dr. Christopher!