January 2014

  • Vote, Vote, Vote for Jamie Agombar

    The Guardian’s Inspiring Leader Award recognises and showcases inspirational leadership in the UK higher education sector.  This year, the paper’s university awards judges have nominated seven people for this category which is about leadership in the broadest sense.  Voting is...

  • A headache for the QAA

    Pity the QAA.  It has been rather shocked and somewhat overwhelmed by the amount and depth of feedback it has received on its draft (with the HEA) of proposals about ESD in higher education.  People, it seems, care – much...

  • ESD and Catch-21

    I'm pleased to see that SEEd is trying to think about the social change models it uses and how to make change happen, and Ann Finlayson sent round a thoughtful email the other week about a range of related matters,...

  • Would you buy a used idea from this man?

    I have heard David W Orr speak twice, some 15 years apart.  He gave the same talk each time – more or less.  The first occasion – it must have been over 20 years ago –  was in Bristol when...

  • UNESCO's priority of priorities

    If you go to the UNESCO End-of Decade conference website, you find this information in a page bottom strap line: Our priorities Africa Gender Equality Education for All Sustainable Development Ethics Intercultural Dialogue Knowledge Societies Popular topics World Heritage Water...

  • Take the QAA HE ESD Quiz of the year

    As I noted at the time, I did badly on the Observer science quiz last year, and complained (to myself at least) that the questions seemed more about popular culture than science.  No such excuses this year where, again, I...

  • Walter, Walter everywhere ...

    I am pleased to ssee that Walter Leal is settled back working in the country, and as busy as ever.  Although, I know that WL has his critics, his UK re-entry is surely very welcome, and especially at a time...