Jim Dickinson

1 week ago | wonkhe.com | Robert Phillips |Jim Dickinson

Extracurricular activities have big benefits for both students and the university – but we could do more to get students involved. University life for students is busy these days, not just with lectures and assessments but for many students, also the need to work to fund their studies. Extracurricular activities can not only add value to the student experience and are a key offering of universities which have some surprising benefits for both.

1 week ago | wonkhe.com | Sunday Blake |Jim Dickinson

Netflix drama Adolescence has ignited two vital national conversations. The rise of online misogyny among radicalised young men has seen Keir Starmer weighing in on the issue. There’s also been a debate surrounding disenfranchisement among boys and young men in primary, secondary and tertiary education. The latter has long been on the radar of policymakers, academics, and researchers.

1 week ago | wonkhe.com | Jim Dickinson |Mark Leach

I went along to AHUA conference on Tuesday, and saw a fascinating presentation from Esa Hämäläinen, who’s the Director of Administration at the University of Helsinki. The university has easily one of my favourite origin stories – it was established by a 13-year-old girl who the world came to know as Queen Christina of Sweden. It also has a cracking set of values, some of which appear now to be the sort of thing that’s banned by the Office for Students in England.

1 week ago | wonkhe.com | Jim Dickinson

The climate crisis is accelerating uncontrollably with consequences already being seen across the globe, and an increasingly worrying picture emerging for future generations. As the professionals of these generations emerge, shouldn’t we equip them with the knowledge and skills to be able to combat the worst of the impacts and steer the planet to a more sustainable future?

1 week ago | wonkhe.com | Meredith Wilkinson |Jim Dickinson

In March 2024 on International Women’s Day, I launched the Disabled Women in Academia Group. It is a sub-group of the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks (NADSN) – for those who identify as a woman (or non-binary) at any career stage and from any area working in universities. The group – set up with the support of Jacquie Nicholson and Hamied Haroon, Vice Chair and Chair of NADSN, aims to provide an inclusive space where all women feel they can join if they wish.