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What is the role of Universities?
I have now been working for universities for about 10 years as I started teaching when I first started my PhD. In that time, I have continued to take part in countless public debates and whenever...
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The social construction of gender: science and misogyny
Though many conservative commentators would never admit it, there is no doubt that much of the criticism leveled at the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, is because she is a woman – revealing an...
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Poverty and ‘natural’ disasters: arsenic in Bangladesh
Every year we witness dozens of ‘natural’ disasters from all over the world which are usually accompanied by a devastating loss of life, the displacements of thousands and the loss of livelihoods that...
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Pirates v. Powerpoint: On innovative pedagogies
In late November (2012) I was lucky enough to receive the Prime Minister’s University Teacher of the Year Award – see the nice awards in the photo! In giving me the award, the Office of Learning and...
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Race and South Africa… the more things change…
Since receiving my teaching award, I have been lucky enough to be invited to attend conferences and universities all over the world… it is an amazing experience and I have never felt so lucky. My...
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On Art and Society… and the awesome work of Luke Cornish…
I must admit, growing up in a migrant, working class family, art played no part in my life. I remember the first time I visited a gallery in school and running around with my class mates making fun of...
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Beyond Engagement: Universities within their Community
Wits University, Johannesburg Since being awarded the Prime Minister’s Teacher of the Year Award, I have been lucky enough to be invited to deliver keynotes both in Australia and internationally. While...
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On being an activist academic
Sombath Somphone – Thanks to New Matilda for the image Long before I become an academic, I described myself as ‘an activist’. Though it is a vague term, most people associate it with left wing protest...
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On Cultural Humility
One of my favourite things about living in a multicultural society is the opportunity to work with people from many cultures. Diverse and multicultural societies are fulfilling, from the sharing of...
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Online citizenship: The role of the contemporary ‘netizen’
In a recent interview, the current Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, dismissed online engagements as ‘electronic graffiti‘. This statement by the Prime Minister highlighted a clear...
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The Greek crisis… see you again in a year or two
In my time studying economics and and working as an economist, what always seemed quite strange to me, was the way the economy was always disconnected from ‘society’. Not only was it disconnected, but...
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Finding the middle ground: two academics respectfully agree to differ on the...
Last weekend I was lucky enough to meet Peter Greste and Waleed Aly at two separate events. Peter was in the Green Room at ABC studio just before I had my segment and Waleed was a guest at my...
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Paris: How do we react to this madness?
The events in Paris have left us all feeling bewildered. I, along with the rest of the world, watched in horror as everything unfolded. Though I love Paris – it is a place close to my heart as I have...
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Invasion: and why ‘Get over it’ is the dumbest response to Australian...
When I was at school and we did history lessons, we learnt that Australia was an ’empty land’ and that it ‘belonged to no-one – a terra nulls. Yes, there were Aboriginal people here but they were...
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Vanishing Point: The latest work by Luke Cornish (ELK)
The following essay is part of the Catalogue for the amazing Luke Cornish’s (ELK) latest work: Vanishing Point. Luke is an amazing artist whose work has moved from the street into the gallery and back...
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Moral licensing: insights into personal justifications…
Sourced from the world wide web I am not sure if you have heard of the concept of ‘moral licensing’. It is a fascinating concept and refers to the idea that if you do something positive – such as...
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Sociologic #4: The 2016 fed election & Pauline Hanson
It is hard to imagine that a few months have already passed since the federal election. One of the reasons that it feels so recent is that it was only just decided. In fact, the Senate puzzle was only...
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Education Blog: How educators are failing and how we can respond
Brexit, the election of Donald Trump, the re-emergence of One Nation, refusal to accept human induced climate change and the failure of other evidence based policy initiatives such as needs-based...
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