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!!
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
The Budget: Remembered for Slower Growth, Fuel Cuts, Changing Research or Elizabeth Taylor?
This was the third major financial statement from Osborne since the coalition came to power 10 months ago. And this first year has not gone as well as he would have hoped. Economic growth has been slower, unemployment still rising and cuts still to take full effect. The Labour chants of ‘same old Tories’ (dull and untrue) and the Tory response ‘look what we inherited’ (dull and not completely true), is becoming repetitive and makes many political followers lose interest due to the lack of change in the argument.
Conversely, there is some positive new for universities. Increasing the number of University Technology Colleges, increasing the number of apprenticeships and a vocal (if not always financial) commitment to research and education. The Higher Education sector has already suffered but there was no changes in the scholarships available for students under the new funding regime or new funds for research. I also doubt that there are any new funds available for departmental research budgets. What there is, however, is a commitment to research in the UK and investing in business to undertake research.
There has been much discussion that the government is funding science/technology research at the expense of arts/humanities/social sciences. I think the policies are seeing a movement of research away from the university. Whether there can be enough, quality researchers (particularly at doctoral level) if there is not sufficient funding in universities can be left to be questioned. Business will fund research which makes money, it is yet to be clear what will happen to other research which has a cultural, society impact. That said, I doubt this nuance will make tonight’s news.
I think there is probably enough to hold off political attacks on the Tories for a little more time due to the fuel tax cuts. However, in the longer term they have got to hope that the activity which they have chosen will actually stimulate some growth in the economy. If stagnation continues then the criticisms that the Tories are harsh and failing will not be able to be washed away with attacks on the previous government.
That said, the announcement of the death of Elizabeth Taylor during Osborne’s speech may be a great stroke of luck and cause some distraction from the detail of today’s speech. The fortunate timing of some sad news, just needs to be backed up with some luck with the economy for the Chancellor over the next quarter.
I can think of some news editors who might be scratching their head on how to order tonight’s bulletins: Fuel, down grading growth or Taylor to be the top story?
Conversely, there is some positive new for universities. Increasing the number of University Technology Colleges, increasing the number of apprenticeships and a vocal (if not always financial) commitment to research and education. The Higher Education sector has already suffered but there was no changes in the scholarships available for students under the new funding regime or new funds for research. I also doubt that there are any new funds available for departmental research budgets. What there is, however, is a commitment to research in the UK and investing in business to undertake research.
There has been much discussion that the government is funding science/technology research at the expense of arts/humanities/social sciences. I think the policies are seeing a movement of research away from the university. Whether there can be enough, quality researchers (particularly at doctoral level) if there is not sufficient funding in universities can be left to be questioned. Business will fund research which makes money, it is yet to be clear what will happen to other research which has a cultural, society impact. That said, I doubt this nuance will make tonight’s news.
I think there is probably enough to hold off political attacks on the Tories for a little more time due to the fuel tax cuts. However, in the longer term they have got to hope that the activity which they have chosen will actually stimulate some growth in the economy. If stagnation continues then the criticisms that the Tories are harsh and failing will not be able to be washed away with attacks on the previous government.
That said, the announcement of the death of Elizabeth Taylor during Osborne’s speech may be a great stroke of luck and cause some distraction from the detail of today’s speech. The fortunate timing of some sad news, just needs to be backed up with some luck with the economy for the Chancellor over the next quarter.
I can think of some news editors who might be scratching their head on how to order tonight’s bulletins: Fuel, down grading growth or Taylor to be the top story?
Budget 2011 - Rolling Blog
Once again, a rolling blog as things unfold today during the budget announcement; most recent posts are at the top. Mostly copied from my twitter feed but also with some more extend sections of analysis, particularly looking at the impact of the Chancellor's announcement for Higher Education.
1455 @cjgrinbergs
My Blog: #Budget: Remembered for Slower Growth, Fuel Cuts, Changing University Research or Elizabeth Taylor? http://tinyurl.com/4k57op7
1343 @cjgrinbergs
@BigBigBen Given technical nature possibly but traditionally felt moreof a heavyweight speaker needed as such fundamental issue.
1342 @cjgrinbergs
RT @BigBigBen Ta for all those reminding me that the leader of the opposition responds to the budget. Would make more sense for the Shad Chancellor, no?
1342 @cjgrinbergs
@BigBigBen Leader of the opposition always replies to budget statements (though not to spending reviews).
1338 @cjgrinbergs
RT @BigBigBen Why isn't Balls responding? #budget11
1333 @cjgrinbergs
Content light from Leader of the Opposition - waving finger going quickly. #budget
1332 @cjgrinbergs
Fuel duty reduced by 1p/litre from 6pm & stabiliser to be introduced. #budget
1328 @cjgrinbergs
RT @BBCLauraK So here we go on fuel duty ...#BBCBudget
RT @Peston Here comes the big one: fuel duty. #bbcbudget
1321 @cjgrinbergs
Is the coverage of #budget today going to be overshadowed by sad death of Elizabeth Taylor. Osborne may be relieved.
1319 @cjgrinbergs
RT @fieldproducer ABC News reports that Elizabeth Taylor has died
1312 @cjgrinbergs
24 (up from 12) new university technical colleges. #budget
1311 @cjgrinbergs
Undertrained & under-educated citizens is one of the main challenges for the growing economy #budget
1309 @cjgrinbergs
Can business guarantee the quality of research without well qualified people from #universities? Need money for Unis, too. #budget
1305 @cjgrinbergs
All these #budgets changes to research seem to be confirming that research is no longer sole domain of #universities
1303 @cjgrinbergs
Osborne: "Research should not take place in our great universities" & increases support for business-based research. #budget #universities
1301 @cjgrinbergs
9 new #universities centres for innovative manufacturing. Some good news for Higher Ed. #budget
1252 @cjgrinbergs
RT @TheReverendDan Corporation Tax cut by 2% - 'BRITAIN IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS'. #Budget
1249 @cjgrinbergs
As predicted, Treasury to investigate merging National Insurance & Income Tax but without affecting those who do not pay NI. #Budget
1243 @cjgrinbergs
RT @MrUJOldfield These are quite modest revisions from the OBR. I wouldn't be as modest. There'll be growth but not as strong as 2.5% #bbcbudget
1241 @cjgrinbergs
Office for Budget Responsibility: Good way for Chancellor to avoid tricky #budget questions.
1240 @cjgrinbergs
Economic stats not good but could be worse. And it is not Osborne's numbers - the EU ones are also bad. #budget
1237 @cjgrinbergs
Live on My Blog: Rolling blog for #budget analysis including impact on #universities http://tinyurl.com/6bd492f
1234 @cjgrinbergs
So last #PMQs reply allows a final attack on the Labour #budget record but will the Chancellor be under attack himself now?
1230 @cjgrinbergs
#PMQs getting louder & attacks on Labour's eeconomic record become more regular as #budget approaches.
1224 @cjgrinbergs
RT @BBCLauraK PMQs always a bit strange before budget - everyone waiting for main event...wide range of questions tho
1218 @cjgrinbergs
Cameron hints at Council Tax freeze & investment in sci/tech local. Will #universities have access to the latter? #budget
1217 @cjgrinbergs
Good discussion on Libya in PMQs & some good answers from Cameron once again. #PMQs #Budget
1215 @cjgrinbergs
So PMQs has few bits on defense, disability allowance & other areas which may hint at #budget but noisy & little detail.
1151 @cjgrinbergs
All the BBC predictions say that the economy is not doing as well as Osbourne might have hoped so #budget tricky game.
1150 @cjgrinbergs
BBC pre-announcement predictions: possible good news for education but not sure that will extend to #universities #budget
1144 @cjgrinbergs
My Blog: Rolling blog for #budget analysis including impact on #universities http://tinyurl.com/6bd492f
1130 @cjgrinbergs
@chrisgolds @mattkmoore And now the BBC - too - good to know the Licence Fee can afford it (may have to be grounded after the budget)
1129 RT by @cjgrinbergs
chrisgolds “@mattkmoore: Sky News have a Budget Day skycopter! For an event that is both indoors and sedentary...” Brilliant! Made me LAUGH OUT
1030 @WellMax81
For those at work who want updates on the #budget2011 follow @cjgrinbergs for concise updates and analysis. (he's also a very nice chap)
0926 @cjgrinbergs
Despite #Budget2011 tweets also off to @IOE_London open evening.Will tweet reflections on my research, doctoral work & #universities generally
0925 @cjgrinbergs
Income Tax/National Insurance: politically introduced, politically removed. Who cares: still money out of pay packet. #Budget2011
0922 @cjgrinbergs
Changes to income Tax/National Insurance makes little dif to my work bar reducing to single calculation. #Budget2011 #universities
0920 @cjgrinbergs
Sci/tech/business will continue to be focus but perhaps a surprise few pounds in student fee wavers for lib dems? #Budget2011 #universities
0915 @cjgrinbergs
So far #bbcr4 predicts money for science & regions: no surprise but doesn't help arts/humanities research. #Budget2011 #universities
0900 @cjgrinbergs
Well it's budget day so I'll be tweeting on & off, especially on any Higher Education announcements. #Budget2011 #universities
1455 @cjgrinbergs
My Blog: #Budget: Remembered for Slower Growth, Fuel Cuts, Changing University Research or Elizabeth Taylor? http://tinyurl.com/4k57op7
1343 @cjgrinbergs
@BigBigBen Given technical nature possibly but traditionally felt moreof a heavyweight speaker needed as such fundamental issue.
1342 @cjgrinbergs
RT @BigBigBen Ta for all those reminding me that the leader of the opposition responds to the budget. Would make more sense for the Shad Chancellor, no?
1342 @cjgrinbergs
@BigBigBen Leader of the opposition always replies to budget statements (though not to spending reviews).
1338 @cjgrinbergs
RT @BigBigBen Why isn't Balls responding? #budget11
1333 @cjgrinbergs
Content light from Leader of the Opposition - waving finger going quickly. #budget
1332 @cjgrinbergs
Fuel duty reduced by 1p/litre from 6pm & stabiliser to be introduced. #budget
1328 @cjgrinbergs
RT @BBCLauraK So here we go on fuel duty ...#BBCBudget
RT @Peston Here comes the big one: fuel duty. #bbcbudget
1321 @cjgrinbergs
Is the coverage of #budget today going to be overshadowed by sad death of Elizabeth Taylor. Osborne may be relieved.
1319 @cjgrinbergs
RT @fieldproducer ABC News reports that Elizabeth Taylor has died
1312 @cjgrinbergs
24 (up from 12) new university technical colleges. #budget
1311 @cjgrinbergs
Undertrained & under-educated citizens is one of the main challenges for the growing economy #budget
1309 @cjgrinbergs
Can business guarantee the quality of research without well qualified people from #universities? Need money for Unis, too. #budget
1305 @cjgrinbergs
All these #budgets changes to research seem to be confirming that research is no longer sole domain of #universities
1303 @cjgrinbergs
Osborne: "Research should not take place in our great universities" & increases support for business-based research. #budget #universities
1301 @cjgrinbergs
9 new #universities centres for innovative manufacturing. Some good news for Higher Ed. #budget
1252 @cjgrinbergs
RT @TheReverendDan Corporation Tax cut by 2% - 'BRITAIN IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS'. #Budget
1249 @cjgrinbergs
As predicted, Treasury to investigate merging National Insurance & Income Tax but without affecting those who do not pay NI. #Budget
1243 @cjgrinbergs
RT @MrUJOldfield These are quite modest revisions from the OBR. I wouldn't be as modest. There'll be growth but not as strong as 2.5% #bbcbudget
1241 @cjgrinbergs
Office for Budget Responsibility: Good way for Chancellor to avoid tricky #budget questions.
1240 @cjgrinbergs
Economic stats not good but could be worse. And it is not Osborne's numbers - the EU ones are also bad. #budget
1237 @cjgrinbergs
Live on My Blog: Rolling blog for #budget analysis including impact on #universities http://tinyurl.com/6bd492f
1234 @cjgrinbergs
So last #PMQs reply allows a final attack on the Labour #budget record but will the Chancellor be under attack himself now?
1230 @cjgrinbergs
#PMQs getting louder & attacks on Labour's eeconomic record become more regular as #budget approaches.
1224 @cjgrinbergs
RT @BBCLauraK PMQs always a bit strange before budget - everyone waiting for main event...wide range of questions tho
1218 @cjgrinbergs
Cameron hints at Council Tax freeze & investment in sci/tech local. Will #universities have access to the latter? #budget
1217 @cjgrinbergs
Good discussion on Libya in PMQs & some good answers from Cameron once again. #PMQs #Budget
1215 @cjgrinbergs
So PMQs has few bits on defense, disability allowance & other areas which may hint at #budget but noisy & little detail.
1151 @cjgrinbergs
All the BBC predictions say that the economy is not doing as well as Osbourne might have hoped so #budget tricky game.
1150 @cjgrinbergs
BBC pre-announcement predictions: possible good news for education but not sure that will extend to #universities #budget
1144 @cjgrinbergs
My Blog: Rolling blog for #budget analysis including impact on #universities http://tinyurl.com/6bd492f
1130 @cjgrinbergs
@chrisgolds @mattkmoore And now the BBC - too - good to know the Licence Fee can afford it (may have to be grounded after the budget)
1129 RT by @cjgrinbergs
chrisgolds “@mattkmoore: Sky News have a Budget Day skycopter! For an event that is both indoors and sedentary...” Brilliant! Made me LAUGH OUT
1030 @WellMax81
For those at work who want updates on the #budget2011 follow @cjgrinbergs for concise updates and analysis. (he's also a very nice chap)
0926 @cjgrinbergs
Despite #Budget2011 tweets also off to @IOE_London open evening.Will tweet reflections on my research, doctoral work & #universities generally
0925 @cjgrinbergs
Income Tax/National Insurance: politically introduced, politically removed. Who cares: still money out of pay packet. #Budget2011
0922 @cjgrinbergs
Changes to income Tax/National Insurance makes little dif to my work bar reducing to single calculation. #Budget2011 #universities
0920 @cjgrinbergs
Sci/tech/business will continue to be focus but perhaps a surprise few pounds in student fee wavers for lib dems? #Budget2011 #universities
0915 @cjgrinbergs
So far #bbcr4 predicts money for science & regions: no surprise but doesn't help arts/humanities research. #Budget2011 #universities
0900 @cjgrinbergs
Well it's budget day so I'll be tweeting on & off, especially on any Higher Education announcements. #Budget2011 #universities
Monday, 21 March 2011
Oslo: Being Confident in Speaking Out
Norway was a different country from the moment I got on the plane: Norwegian may have been ‘low-cost’ but it was no Ryanair. Calm, comfortable, classy with a rather expensive menu.
Then when on the bus, I received a call to say that the hotel I had booked was full but they had found us beds around the corner in a better quality hotel. Good service.
The next day when walking around Oslo, the wealth shone out in the cost of a coffee through to the upkeep of the public transport. There was, without doubt, high taxation everywhere but investment shone through.
At the same time the values also shine through. Families were everywhere, little graffiti or obvious poverty, no need for gay district as couples were free to hold hands, whatever their make-up.
This lead me to a tricky question: do the liberal values come about because people can afford to pay the taxes to under-write them or do the liberal values mean that people feel a duty to pay for the functions of state. No easy answer but I suspect it is a little bit of both.
My travelling companion (rather more conservative than me) challenged my views on immigration, on tax and on education. I am coming to the view point that if we want to pay for high-quality services like I saw in Oslo, then those that can, should pay more tax to help those with less. In my career and my research I believe in a market-led approach, the need for greater investment and liberal values within a conservative context. If I believe in these things – as I saw in Norway - then I need to say it despite it going against some traditional ‘tory’ lines. My family have always taught me to be true to myself and that includes in my politics.
As with so much of my life and travels, there was a song that summarised my trip. This time it was “Sing” by My Chemical Romance.
At the same time as trying to find a new way of living following the loss of my mother, re-assessing my research and re-evaluating my political values, then it is time to speak out about these things:
“Sing it out, boy, you’ve got to see what tomorrow brings.
Sing it out, girl, you’ve got to be what tomorrow is.
[…]
Sing it for the boys, sing it for the girls.
Every time that you lose it, sing it for the world.
Sing it from the heart, sing it ‘til you’re nuts.
Sing it out for the ones that hate your guts.
Sing it for the deaf, sing it for the blind.
Sing it for everyone that you left behind.
Sing it for the world.
We’ve got to see what tomorrow brings.
Boy you’ve got to be what the world needs.
Sing it for the world.”
Then when on the bus, I received a call to say that the hotel I had booked was full but they had found us beds around the corner in a better quality hotel. Good service.
The next day when walking around Oslo, the wealth shone out in the cost of a coffee through to the upkeep of the public transport. There was, without doubt, high taxation everywhere but investment shone through.
At the same time the values also shine through. Families were everywhere, little graffiti or obvious poverty, no need for gay district as couples were free to hold hands, whatever their make-up.
This lead me to a tricky question: do the liberal values come about because people can afford to pay the taxes to under-write them or do the liberal values mean that people feel a duty to pay for the functions of state. No easy answer but I suspect it is a little bit of both.
My travelling companion (rather more conservative than me) challenged my views on immigration, on tax and on education. I am coming to the view point that if we want to pay for high-quality services like I saw in Oslo, then those that can, should pay more tax to help those with less. In my career and my research I believe in a market-led approach, the need for greater investment and liberal values within a conservative context. If I believe in these things – as I saw in Norway - then I need to say it despite it going against some traditional ‘tory’ lines. My family have always taught me to be true to myself and that includes in my politics.
As with so much of my life and travels, there was a song that summarised my trip. This time it was “Sing” by My Chemical Romance.
At the same time as trying to find a new way of living following the loss of my mother, re-assessing my research and re-evaluating my political values, then it is time to speak out about these things:
“Sing it out, boy, you’ve got to see what tomorrow brings.
Sing it out, girl, you’ve got to be what tomorrow is.
[…]
Sing it for the boys, sing it for the girls.
Every time that you lose it, sing it for the world.
Sing it from the heart, sing it ‘til you’re nuts.
Sing it out for the ones that hate your guts.
Sing it for the deaf, sing it for the blind.
Sing it for everyone that you left behind.
Sing it for the world.
We’ve got to see what tomorrow brings.
Boy you’ve got to be what the world needs.
Sing it for the world.”
Grief, Graduation and Going Forward
There’s been a bit of a gap in my blogging.
The event which we had predicted since diagnosis for 2 years ago has happened.
My Mother passed into somewhere peaceful on 24 February 2011.
As with so many sufferers, it was not her Motor Neuron Disease which actually killed her. It was an inter-cranial bleed following a fall in the kitchen.
She was with her GP at the time and so was in hospital quickly and through a drug-induced coma was in no pain.
She did not have to suffer a further loss of independence. She had fought this disease so hard that she ended with the dignity and elegance we would expect.
That said, it leaves a massive hole in our lives. In some senses it has not really sunk in. I still wander around and see her in the flowers or the sunshine, think of news to tell her or make her laugh. That will change as we find the ‘new normality’ without her.
Just 6 days after her passing I was due to graduate from my post-graduate diploma in social research methods. After a brief discussion, it was decided we would keep the date and we were right to. She was there in spirit and left me a card ‘just in case’. She was proud of what I had done. So we celebrated that day for her and the sun shone on one of those days were the warmth & hope of spring is just starting to show which my mother would have loved.
At the same time as leaving me a card for the post-graduate diploma, Mother has left me a card for the day when I get my PhD. So, in the short to medium term that has to be my focus. The idea of Dr. Grinbergs is fulfilling so much that my mother would have wanted and so much that my mother had encouraged me out. So I’m in the process of investigating a new supervisor, either at Roehampton or at the Institute of Education as this is becoming a bit of a block and not developing me or my research in the way I would like.
So, for my career, my research, my life and, despite the grief, for my mother – it’s time to go forward and get this done.
The event which we had predicted since diagnosis for 2 years ago has happened.
My Mother passed into somewhere peaceful on 24 February 2011.
As with so many sufferers, it was not her Motor Neuron Disease which actually killed her. It was an inter-cranial bleed following a fall in the kitchen.
She was with her GP at the time and so was in hospital quickly and through a drug-induced coma was in no pain.
She did not have to suffer a further loss of independence. She had fought this disease so hard that she ended with the dignity and elegance we would expect.
That said, it leaves a massive hole in our lives. In some senses it has not really sunk in. I still wander around and see her in the flowers or the sunshine, think of news to tell her or make her laugh. That will change as we find the ‘new normality’ without her.
Just 6 days after her passing I was due to graduate from my post-graduate diploma in social research methods. After a brief discussion, it was decided we would keep the date and we were right to. She was there in spirit and left me a card ‘just in case’. She was proud of what I had done. So we celebrated that day for her and the sun shone on one of those days were the warmth & hope of spring is just starting to show which my mother would have loved.
At the same time as leaving me a card for the post-graduate diploma, Mother has left me a card for the day when I get my PhD. So, in the short to medium term that has to be my focus. The idea of Dr. Grinbergs is fulfilling so much that my mother would have wanted and so much that my mother had encouraged me out. So I’m in the process of investigating a new supervisor, either at Roehampton or at the Institute of Education as this is becoming a bit of a block and not developing me or my research in the way I would like.
So, for my career, my research, my life and, despite the grief, for my mother – it’s time to go forward and get this done.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Dear PhD Supervisor: Why Academia’s failing me, not my brain.
Dear PhD Supervisor,
I have been wanting to write this for some time. Because I am unhappy. With you. With the PhD. With the nature of academia. Let me explain.
I remember our first conversation going down the wisteria arch at university and you asked if I really wanted to do this project or if I would prefer doing something questioning ‘what is internationalisation’; I didn’t want to do that and despite my attempts to find another tutor, I have ended up with you. You see me as stubborn, as not learning and growing through the PhD project. But in the end the whole thing feels like you are trying to turn me into a mini-you. And I’m not.
You like philosophy and see it as a way of framing the world. I see it as a way of creating artificial arguments without addressing or answering the problems of the world. Our politics and world view don’t match. I suspect you lean to the left and I know you oppose the neo-liberal agenda. I lean to the right and see market forces as a good way of making universities work. You see new media and journalism generally as dumbing down, reducing debates to nothing but core messages. I see it as requiring more intellectual precision to make knowledge accurate, brief, accessible and engaging. You think academics should be left to do research and not made to reach targets in terms of publications, income won and impact generated. I think it is important that we justify our existence in Higher Education, the amount of money spent in taxation and show how our research transfers to the non-academic (some might say ‘real’) world, just as other businesses have to. Yet none of this should matter if getting a PhD was about educating or developing an individual to be an academic. It does matter if the process aims to form someone in your own image.
In my recent essay you commented:
Christopher’s journalist background [sic] comes through in his writing style – short, pithy statements - and this is at odds with the problems he is grappling with and therefore there is an uneasy tension. He is aware of this and is working hard to find his writing style.
To be honest, I smiled at this as I wasn’t a very good journalist as I was too wordy. My academic tutors at both BA and MA level would have described my “short, pithy statements” as “engaging” and that reading across the whole piece developed a sense of discussion and nuance rather than in any particular sentence. I think I have developed a ‘style’ but not one you like as it happens to be the opposite of your slightly wordy style which seems to repeat itself and can lose the reader (particularly the non-academic one).
And this is the whole trouble: my job, world view and engagement with new media has been shaped by people beyond academia, by issues that affect the wider world and by forms of media that try to bring my work to a wider audience. ‘Traditional’ academia, of course, wanted to be relevant and accessible, too, but just as the internet has changed our social interaction and ability to access knowledge, so must it change access to academia and the way universities operate. Academia should not lose its rigour, its use of peer review and independence. But, for me, academia needs to change the questions it asks and the people it engages with. All of this challenges your role and status as an academic. Perhaps I am part of a generation constrained by fewer social norms and constraints than those before me that I want this to be extended to my research.
But I do not and will not believe – as you would have me believe – that this challenging and changing of academia makes me unsuitable, unable or, indeed, intellectually incapable of finishing my doctorate.
All good wishes,
Your PhD tutee
I have been wanting to write this for some time. Because I am unhappy. With you. With the PhD. With the nature of academia. Let me explain.
I remember our first conversation going down the wisteria arch at university and you asked if I really wanted to do this project or if I would prefer doing something questioning ‘what is internationalisation’; I didn’t want to do that and despite my attempts to find another tutor, I have ended up with you. You see me as stubborn, as not learning and growing through the PhD project. But in the end the whole thing feels like you are trying to turn me into a mini-you. And I’m not.
You like philosophy and see it as a way of framing the world. I see it as a way of creating artificial arguments without addressing or answering the problems of the world. Our politics and world view don’t match. I suspect you lean to the left and I know you oppose the neo-liberal agenda. I lean to the right and see market forces as a good way of making universities work. You see new media and journalism generally as dumbing down, reducing debates to nothing but core messages. I see it as requiring more intellectual precision to make knowledge accurate, brief, accessible and engaging. You think academics should be left to do research and not made to reach targets in terms of publications, income won and impact generated. I think it is important that we justify our existence in Higher Education, the amount of money spent in taxation and show how our research transfers to the non-academic (some might say ‘real’) world, just as other businesses have to. Yet none of this should matter if getting a PhD was about educating or developing an individual to be an academic. It does matter if the process aims to form someone in your own image.
In my recent essay you commented:
Christopher’s journalist background [sic] comes through in his writing style – short, pithy statements - and this is at odds with the problems he is grappling with and therefore there is an uneasy tension. He is aware of this and is working hard to find his writing style.
To be honest, I smiled at this as I wasn’t a very good journalist as I was too wordy. My academic tutors at both BA and MA level would have described my “short, pithy statements” as “engaging” and that reading across the whole piece developed a sense of discussion and nuance rather than in any particular sentence. I think I have developed a ‘style’ but not one you like as it happens to be the opposite of your slightly wordy style which seems to repeat itself and can lose the reader (particularly the non-academic one).
And this is the whole trouble: my job, world view and engagement with new media has been shaped by people beyond academia, by issues that affect the wider world and by forms of media that try to bring my work to a wider audience. ‘Traditional’ academia, of course, wanted to be relevant and accessible, too, but just as the internet has changed our social interaction and ability to access knowledge, so must it change access to academia and the way universities operate. Academia should not lose its rigour, its use of peer review and independence. But, for me, academia needs to change the questions it asks and the people it engages with. All of this challenges your role and status as an academic. Perhaps I am part of a generation constrained by fewer social norms and constraints than those before me that I want this to be extended to my research.
But I do not and will not believe – as you would have me believe – that this challenging and changing of academia makes me unsuitable, unable or, indeed, intellectually incapable of finishing my doctorate.
All good wishes,
Your PhD tutee
Monday, 14 February 2011
What I Really Learnt about Social Research Methods
For those who have been following my twitter feed or Facebook status, you will have noticed that I have just passed the Post Graduate Diploma in Social Research Methods with a distinction. Thank you to all of you who have sent kind wishes. So I have another qualification to my name and a few more letters. But what does this say about me as a researcher and about my research?
Well, I do know more about research methods – or at least the questions I should be reflecting on when deciding the methods. A lot of the programme was less about saying how particular methods work and much more about reflecting on how to define the most appropriate methods. Each module made us ask a different question:
- What statistics are needed – and what do they really show?
- How important is the individual researcher in qualitative research?
- What are the philosophical and ethical underpinnings to the research?
- Is the research design possible, reasonable and related to the questions posed?
- What responsibilities does the researcher have to the discipline and the research community?
These are universal questions to do with research but require far more self-awareness than I had originally thought. When undertaking arts/humanities research (in France and the UK) the importance of the individual was hardly evident other than in our (academically worded) ‘opinions’ on the products of human endeavour. When looking at journalism research (as part of the MA), the aim was to remove the individual researcher from the reporting but being reflective of their practice is a fundamental skill.
Some of this has changed my opinions, other elements have reinforced what I feel. At times I have felt lost when trying to position myself in all of these debates. I am more of a numbers person but the programme (and my tutor) are more words and qualitative people. Both my research area and questions require a more nuanced way of looking at things. One of the causes of the current economic situation is an over-reliance on false-statistics and only metrics which are measurable. Life is more complicated than that and requires us to examine a variety of numeric and non-numeric data to understand it. That said, as I tried to argue in the philosophy essay, just because I am not using pure numeric data, doesn’t mean that my research should not have the same rigour as quantitative research.
So, ultimately, what did I learn from my Post Graduate Diploma in Research Methods? Perhaps that social research – by which I mean research looking at society or its members – is about reflecting about my own role and the impact of my research. This means making sure that the questions posed and researched are created and answered in a reflective, self-aware way. Research may not produce as concrete answers due to this but given the trouble that ‘absolute’ answers gets us into – perhaps that is no bad thing, either.
Well, I do know more about research methods – or at least the questions I should be reflecting on when deciding the methods. A lot of the programme was less about saying how particular methods work and much more about reflecting on how to define the most appropriate methods. Each module made us ask a different question:
- What statistics are needed – and what do they really show?
- How important is the individual researcher in qualitative research?
- What are the philosophical and ethical underpinnings to the research?
- Is the research design possible, reasonable and related to the questions posed?
- What responsibilities does the researcher have to the discipline and the research community?
These are universal questions to do with research but require far more self-awareness than I had originally thought. When undertaking arts/humanities research (in France and the UK) the importance of the individual was hardly evident other than in our (academically worded) ‘opinions’ on the products of human endeavour. When looking at journalism research (as part of the MA), the aim was to remove the individual researcher from the reporting but being reflective of their practice is a fundamental skill.
Some of this has changed my opinions, other elements have reinforced what I feel. At times I have felt lost when trying to position myself in all of these debates. I am more of a numbers person but the programme (and my tutor) are more words and qualitative people. Both my research area and questions require a more nuanced way of looking at things. One of the causes of the current economic situation is an over-reliance on false-statistics and only metrics which are measurable. Life is more complicated than that and requires us to examine a variety of numeric and non-numeric data to understand it. That said, as I tried to argue in the philosophy essay, just because I am not using pure numeric data, doesn’t mean that my research should not have the same rigour as quantitative research.
So, ultimately, what did I learn from my Post Graduate Diploma in Research Methods? Perhaps that social research – by which I mean research looking at society or its members – is about reflecting about my own role and the impact of my research. This means making sure that the questions posed and researched are created and answered in a reflective, self-aware way. Research may not produce as concrete answers due to this but given the trouble that ‘absolute’ answers gets us into – perhaps that is no bad thing, either.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
