Think Education

TNE in Bulgaria - Reflections, Realities and Opportunities

In this latest Think Education podcast, our intrepid hosts talk about Judith’s recent trip to Bulgaria.  Judith was part of a delegation, with the British Council, to discuss TNE activity and collaboration opportunities. 
Many of our listeners might not be as aware of the current capability and appetite for TNE in Bulgaria as they could be. Many of our podcast hosts, may likewise not have been as aware of the opportunities as they could have been.  It is always deeply gratifying, not to mention really interesting, to learn about TNE development and activity in ‘non-traditional’ TNE hubs/markets.  There are more things out there than often dreamt of in our philosophies after all.
What seems very encouraging, is the desire to produce something tangible, rather than relying on the MoU collection process.  Judith highlighted the diversity of current approach and we talked about the real value of exploring research partnerships in TNE and not solely focusing on student exchange.  We talked about the role of industry in possible TNE partnership development and the need to increase dialogue between academia and industry. 
Over the course of this podcast, we reflected back on previous conversations we have had with Bola, Cheryl, Leina Shi, Stephanie and of course, Vicky Lewis, about language learning, knowledge ownership and the need to increase contextual understanding.  This increases awareness but also increases sustainability. Judith marveled at some of the stories of language learning she had heard during her visit and we reflected back on Vicky’s findings about the types of skills and capabilities this must open up for people.
Judith was clearly impressed by The University of Sofia and encourages all listeners to give them a quick google.
Hard to beat a university that has a Mammoth!
 
#TNE #internationalhighereducation #academiccollaboration #studentexchange #research #industrylinks #sustainabilty #Bulgaria #universityofsofia

Learning Languages and Language Learning - Dr Vicky Lewis

Welcome, Bienvenido, مرحباً, Wilkommen, 欢迎, and Bienvenue
Friend of the show Vicky Lewis joined us again today for a conversation about language, learning languages and the advantages this can bring.
This episode began when we saw Vicky’s LinkedIn post on language learning a few months ago.  We wanted to have a conversation about this to learn more about Vicky’s perspective but she sensibly asked to wait until she had time to review the feedback and responses she had received.  Clearly, this was the right approach as it brought us here today!
Vicky walked us through her own experience of learning languages in school, university and further afield – she had reached a clear level of success when people thought she was French speaking German!  We talked about immersing yourself in another culture and language and how this can significantly increase our empathy towards others experiencing the same thing.  Being confused and frustrated when trying to communicate is a great leveler and makes us better educators and people.
Vicky presented some of the findings from her recent study and highlighted that common responses to the skills gained as a result of language learning included: flexibility, patience, resilience, problem solving and looking for alternative solutions, cross-cultural teamwork capability, and a willingness to fail and try again.
We talked about the need for an educational philosophy that places value and importance on language learning and the value that this can have for the individual and society more broadly.
We pondered the question as to why there is a relative absence of language provision in university internationalisation strategies and discussed the need to better connect university strategy and civic mission.
AI can personalize the language learning experience but it can’t substitute human interaction.  Language is alive and should be experienced accordingly.
 
#languagelearning #internationalhigereducation #studyabroad #eduationalphilosophy #skilldevelopment #teamwork #culturalcommunication
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drvickylewis_knowledge-of-languages-is-the-doorway-to-activity-7097492253153071104-VuEG?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Decolonising the Curriculum - Stephanie Martin

In this latest #ThinkEducation podcast episode, Chris and Judith talk to Stephanie Martin, co-founder of Edvance Education Consultants, about decolonising the curriculum: what this means from both a philosophical and practical perspective – including some tips on how we might approach this at a nursery level!
 
We asked Stephanie for her thoughts on the process of decolonisation within TNE and how we can attempt to navigate this process – and sometimes dichotomy – of expectations, quality and reality.
 
Stephanie talks passionately about the need for representation and multiple voices to be heard; not for the deletion of history but rather for a more critical awareness towards motivations and contexts.
 
We talked about the difference between diversity and decolonisation and how simply including multi-cultural examples in our teaching is a good start but more must be done to critically address issues and discuss varying perspectives.
 
We talked about the term decolonisation itself and how it can be viewed negatively, or even misunderstood.  The need to reflect and anlayse the past should not be conflated with its eradication.  Increased awareness and understanding comes through discussion and engagement and to remove history is not the same as changing the way that we view our future, or even our present.  Perhaps we need a new term that more accurately reflects what we are trying to achieve with this process.
 
As is often the case, we ended up talking about Shakespeare and the way we can provide access points to our students by elevating their status and raising the profile of their own experiences through placing them firmly within the narrative in our classrooms.
 
Decolonisation is about how are we evolving, what have we learnt from the past, and what lessons can it teach us about our future. There is a beauty in this discussion as we are all learning from each other.
 
#decolonisingthecurriuculm #diversification #curriculumstudies #internationalisation #internationalhighereducation #languagelearning #ESL #windowsandmirrors #madeleinemiller #nataliehaynes #patbarker #littlepeoplebigdreams
 
https://www.edvanceconsultants.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-martin-0118638b/?originalSubdomain=ae
 
Recent Publications by Stephanie;
Breaking Chains of the Past: Decolonizing Education for a Brighter Future
Ethics and Integrity in Teacher Education (Springer, 2022)

International University Partnerships: What? Why? Where? How?

In this latest Think Education podcast episode, Judith and Chris discuss the partnerships in international higher education: how they come about; how we sustain them; how we measure their value and impact.
In a call back to our first book together (with our colleague Tim Gore) we discussed the purpose of partnerships and the motivation behind entering into them.  Chris reflected on his time in Malaysia and the wonder that is collecting MOU’s.  We talked about how the balance of power has shifted in TNE partnerships over the past decade and how this is a positive thing by increasing the need for accountability and transparence, while also promoting more targeted development and capacity building.
Judith reflected on partnership activity during the pandemic and we discussed the way in which approaches to it have changed since the pandemic and how this aligns to our previous conversations about international education travel – we need to demonstrate value for money and ensure we are getting the most out of our endeavors.
We thought a bit more broadly about the nature of partnerships and how these naturally exist on multiple levels within a university and we wondered how this can be better captured and leveraged for sustainable activity.   
It is not always easy to measure the value of interaction but it is also equally difficult to discount interactions completely and the impact they have had on our career.
 
#partnerships #academiccollaboration #internationalhighereducation #globalreach #equity #trust #risk
https://www.routledge.com/The-Evolution-of-Transnational-Education-Pathways-Globalisation-and-Emerging/Hill-Lamie-Gore/p/book/9781032126036

The Joys of International Education Travel

Have you ever wondered what our senior academic colleagues get up to on international higher education trips?  Turns out, it is perhaps not quite as glamorous as pictured. 
In the post-pandemic era, there is a very real need to demonstrate value and return for travel and this can put a lot of pressure on international trips.  Agendas are full; travel can be taxing; and there are often simply too many cups of coffee!
In today’s episode of the Think Education podcast, Judith and Chris discuss Judith’s recent trip to China, as part of a delegation of senior UK higher education representatives.  Judith reflects on her China trip and provides insight on the workings of senior level delegations – the travel; the discussions; the collaborative nature of interaction; and the need to make the best use of one’s time.
Judith and Chris discuss travel pre and post pandemic and reflect on some of their experiences working at distance in international higher education, including some of the real challenges – such as humidity hair (more of a problem for some than others).
We discussed the changes we have seen to travel and our response to it as we have gained more experience (and years).  There is tremendous value in being able to be still and think – particularly given the full on nature of trips.
 
Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
 
#china #internationaleducation #partnerships #delegation #BritishCouncil #UUKI #ThinkEducation

International Voices - Perry Hobson

Have you ever found yourself at a conference and wondered, 'am I really here and where is here in fact?'  If so, this is the podcast for you!
In this latest Think Education podcast Prof Christopher Hill talks to Professor Perry Hobson, Director of BUas Academy for Tourism at Breda University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, about fake conferences and the impact these have on academia.
Perry outlined work he has undertaken looking at the issue of fake conferences, how they operate and the knock on effect they can have on academic practice.
We discussed the academic practice of creating and disseminating knowledge and the challenges of access – in terms of paid journal subscriptions – faced by many countries around the world.
 
Mounties always get their man!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/professor-perry-hobson-5b7517b/?originalSubdomain=nl
#fakeconferences #academicintegrity #researchengagement #publication #journals

International Voices - Leina Shi

To coincide with Judith’s trip to China, this latest episode of the Think Education sees Chris and Judith talking to Leina Shi, Director Education British Council China, about her move to China during the pandemic, leaving UK higher education after 20 years, and the scope and scale of the role she now occupies, including British Council priorities in China.
 
Leina reflected on the changes she has seen in western approaches to China over her career and the renewed interest and willingness to engage post-pandemic and offers insight on how this process could be managed.
 
We talked about digital engagement and virtual connections, as compared to face to face trust building. Leina talked about the event she is organising this week, which brings together key UK and Chinese university stakeholders to discuss collaboration and future activity. Leina gave us a sneak preview into some of the techniques she uses to increase engagement during both online and face to face events.
 
We asked Leina about identity in international education and discussed some of the reflections and case studies in our latest book The Evolving Nature of Universities: What Shapes and Influences Identity in International Higher Education to get her perspective on how identity is viewed in different contexts.
 
#China #internationalhighereducation #britishcouncil #engagement #identity #digitalengagement #conferences

Clearing -The University Journey Begins

In this latest Think Education episode Judith and Chris discuss the wonder that is Clearing. For those not familiar with this exciting time of the year, Clearing is the process by which UK universities and colleges fill any places they still have on their courses.  It is an action packed, and often stressful, time of the year for almost all involved.
 
As students around the world get ready to begin their university journey, we decided to reflect back on our own experiences with Clearing - including the need for regular sugar fueling with mars bar cakes and Jo’s ice cream - the value it has to a university and the impact this can have on people and their sense of identity and wellbeing.
 
We talked about the student experience and how life changing attending university can be. We thought back to our own experiences and reflected on the pressures placed on young people today to have all the answers - as opposed to having the freedom to simply learn and explore.
 
You may not always get what you want, but hopefully, you get what you need.
 
#universityexperience #clearing #application #studentlife #universitybusiness
 

Mason and the French Revolution

Freshly returned from his summer holiday, Mason chose to travel back to revolutionary France today.
 
We talked about why revolutions often happen and how people have the power to change things for themselves and for each other.
 
Mason pointed out that having a King who does nothing but party, and a Queen who is more concerned with styling her hair to look like a boat than with whether people have enough food, is not a good recipe for happy people.
 
We realised that a lot of Mason’s favourite periods in history have to do with revolutions or one group trying to overthrow another. Not unsurprisingly, we are going to talk about the American Revolution in a future episode!

Academic Conferences - Stories, Reflections and Lessons Learned

In this latest Think Education Podcast episode @ProfChrisHill and @ProfJudithLamie talk about the wonderful world of academic conferences.  As many of us turn our attention to the new academic term and returning to the office and classroom, we naturally thought it made sense to talk about leaving campus in pursuit of the conference experience!
During this podcast, we share some of our horror (and success) stories from the early days of our academic careers to the present day, and offer some insights into what we have ‘learned’ along the way.
We reflect on the value of in person events and how best to navigate the experience, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the online model that has been so popular and necessary in recent years.
Judith and Chris compare notes on the role and value of conferences in their respective locations (UK and UAE) and think about the student experience within this space.
We try to offer some guidance and support for students and early career academics here and would welcome the opportunity to hear from others about their experiences and tactics for getting the most out of a conference.
 
#conferences #networking #publicspeaking #academicdiscourse #academictourism #careerdevelopment #research #publication #dissemination