Day: July 31, 2012

Ought we discuss sexual violence in higher ed?

KateNorlock4 Comments

From a reader:

I came across [trigger warning] this article about the motivations of perpetrators of sexual assault. It highlights the importance of talking about sex and sexual violence with young people.

This brought up an issue I’ve been thinking about a lot recently: do we have an obligation to intentionally foster discussions about sex and sexual violence in philosophy courses? It seems this might be the case particularly in courses where these discussions easily relate to the course material (as is the case in many introductory ethics courses.)  As authority figures we have the opportunity to normalize and validate the importance of the discussion of sex and sexual violence. This is particularly salient given that these issues are rarely discussed in other academic settings and that college students inhabit a culture where they often have to navigate these complicated issues.

I’m curious what other people think about this.

So it is possible, if you have the money

annejjacobson

Education to a professional, post-doctoral level can represent a heavy substantial financial investment; it is also something from which a country’s economy can benefit greatly. So what do we do about the apparently large number of people who take a break in their scientific careers because they having conflicting caring responsibilities?

Money may well help, a fact all too depressing to relatively unsupported disciplines such as philosophy, which is seen as making little difference economically:

From: UAS Race Equality
Date: 31 July 2012 16:03:44 GMT+01:00
To: “race-equality-network@maillist.admin.ox.ac.uk”
Subject: EPSRC funding to support research scientists with caring responsibilities: Call for proposals

Dear REN

Please find attached information on funding available via the From: UAS Race Equality
Date: 31 July 2012 16:03:44 GMT+01:00
To: “race-equality-network@maillist.admin.ox.ac.uk”
Subject: EPSRC funding to support research scientists with caring responsibilities: Call for proposals

Dear REPlease find attached information on funding available via the EPSRC to support and retain research scientists with caring responsibilities, including:

· Women and men who have taken, or are currently taking, a career break to care for a child or close relative (including for maternity/paternity/adoption reasons)
· Women and men who are working part time because they have caring responsibilities.

Applications should be sent to vanessa.howe@admin.ox.ac.uk by 5pm on 31 August or 21 September 2012.

Whilst this may not be of direct interest to you please can we ask you to publicise this funding as widely as possible. A successful pilot of this strategic funding was carried out in 2011/12 and it had a real impact on enhancing the grant holders research.

Thank you in advance for your help in spreading the word.

Caroline

Caroline Kennedy
Equality and Diversity Unit
University of Oxford
University Offices
Wellington Square
OX1 2JD
email: caroline.kennedy@admin.ox.ac.uk
Tel: 01865 289825
Web: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop

Thanks, Nathaniel!