Ellen Duval’s Post

« What if we have entered a world that is being transformed in ways that make today’s knowledge less useful or relevant? » Sharing this thoughtful piece by Harvard University professor Stephen Walt inviting us, #publicpolicy programs to reconsider the way we teach. Taking it for granted that whatever has been tried so far to limit #globalwarming has failed (to pick the one topic I am dedicating my research to), how should we teach incoming students how to face, and if possible tackle, its aggravating consequences? To me, with the support of and critical challenge from both my amazing colleagues and students at Brown University Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, this comes through a constant effort (and practice of) #radical #hope. I view radical hope as composed of three major elements, which I try to bring into the class’s experience : 1. #Complexity. Accepting that there’s no easy answer, even when breaking it down into smaller pieces. The aim therefore is not the answer, but rather asking the right questions. 2. #Uncertainty. The world today is one where entire cities can be wiped away or crumbled to pieces in a minute, as the recent #earthquake in #Morocco and #floodings in #Lybia sadly demonstrated Being able to accept and prepare for uncertainty is at the core of today’s stakes for policy makers. 3. #Equity. Questioning who and what we include in our vision of a #fair society is front and center. Who and what do we consider, when trying to make the world a better place? Who and what do we ignore? As the article (https://lnkd.in/eKjyEKmW) clearly states, this does not mean we should forego what we’ve been doing so far. It doesn’t mean either that we should engage into massive curricular changes. What it means is that we should accept a side step into our own work, taking a fresh look not so much at what we do but at how we do it. Thanks to Axelle Bagot for sharing this #foreignpolicy article with me!

We're on the move! We were so pleased to receive the great news that University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) continues its ranking in the top 15% of public affairs programs nationwide. A few of the US News and World Report Public Affairs stats that we're most proud of... 📚 In the top 15% of programs nationwide, up 5 spots from last year at #34 (out of 270 programs across the country). 🌎 #6 in International Global Policy and Administration (up three spots from last year!) and the #1 program among public universities. 🏙 #16 in Urban Policy (up six spots from last year!). 📝 #31 in Public Policy Analysis (a new recognition for us this year!) Rankings are important, but what we're most proud of is that we're visible and we are engaged across the wide range of scholarly communities and organizations important to our fields. We are contributing knowledge on important research topics, learning with fellow colleagues about new pedagogies and curricula, and leading conversations about key issues facing our fields and schools like ours. Thanks to all of our students, staff, faculty, and alumni who are contributing to this work. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/ezDQuHdQ

Here it is! Published! 🎉 Our journal article on the impact of covid-19 and social distancing measures on international students. It's been a long time in the works and we are very excited to finally share. This research has already helped create lasting change by guiding policy development at Queen Margaret University, with one focus being improving the learner pathways for the international students population. Please feel free to read and share far and wide. #research #researchpaper #loneliness #covid19 #highereducation #socialisolation #students #internationaleducation

Work referenced by the The Chronicle of Higher Education!!! 😮 😮 😮 Exciting news for our CEO, Kevin Fleming! His "Pots of Water" framework for alumni engagement and the book "Engaging Alumni as Strategic Partners" he contributed to were both listed as recommended resources in the Chronicle's "Latitudes" article on connecting with global alumni, written by Karin Fischer! Read the article at: https://lnkd.in/e2WSDDzy

Excited to share that I've started my Masters in Global Public Policy and International Business at the University of York. Looking forward to gaining valuable insights and expanding my knowledge in these fields. #education #globalpolicy #internationalbusiness #yorkuniversity

Today, November 8, 2023, I had the privilege of attending a thought-provoking event at the University of Toronto - Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy: "Social Polarisation, Red Walls, and Bat Signals: How Social Science Helped Make Brexit and Boris Johnson". This event was a deep dive into the impact of social science on real-world issues such as Brexit. The insights from Randall Hansen and the main speaker, Adrian Favell, were not only illuminating but also crucial for my development as a Master of Global Affairs candidate. Adrian Favell explored the significant role of social science in shaping public policy and opinion, emphasizing how different interpretations of what we might consider 'objective facts', especially in quantitative methods, can lead to varied and even misleading conclusions and political and social outcomes. It was fascinating to see how academic research in social sciences does not just stay within the confines of academia but has real, tangible impacts on political and social spheres, both within democracies and on a global scale, impacting significant phenomena such as liberal democracy, free trade, and immigration. This discussion was eye-opening in understanding the complexities of social research. It highlighted the importance of rigorous methodology and critical analysis in academic research, distinguishing it from pseudo-intellectualism. As someone aspiring to make an impact in global affairs, this event underscored the power and responsibility that come with research. It reminded me of the need for a balanced and reflective approach in interpreting data and facts, especially in an era where information can be easily manipulated. The event reinforced my commitment to pursuing a path that not only seeks to understand the global political landscape but also contributes responsibly and ethically to the field. I am grateful to the Munk School for providing such an enriching learning opportunity and to the speakers for their invaluable insights. #GlobalAffairs #MunkSchool #Brexit #SocialScience #PoliticalPolarization 

Informative insights and valuable case studies by Alastair Sim as part of the Halpin ‘Ask the Experts’ series – this one on ‘The gathering storm – navigating the interface between politics and HE’. Key takeaways from me: 👉A new government will have very limited headspace, how can the HE sector get ‘cut-through’? 👉 Universities urged to co-create solutions and co-develop policies with a new government (help us to help you) – demonstrate that universities are willing to do the ‘heavy-lifting’. 👉 Make the incoming government complicit in solving the problem and outlining what it wants from universities – similar to the approach undertaken in Australia with the Universities Accord. Case studies – what has worked well, what can we learn: 👉 In the past university leaders have been reluctant to talk about the impact of cuts – given that other sectors are presenting credible cases of being starved of resources and the severity of such cuts on society, university leaders need to be frank about the impact of underfunding on the quality and opportunity for students. 👉 While politicians may not care about institutional financial sustainability, they do care about opportunities, jobs and the economy within their constituencies – can universities as anchor institutions provide more data and case studies specific about their impact on local economies? 👉 Politicians hear messages best from 3rd party stakeholders – parents / industry / employers – how can universities involve them more? (I note the successful 100 faces campaign (https://lnkd.in/g-zTb4Bi) from Universities UK in celebrating the stories and achievements of students and graduates who were the first in their family to go to university). 👉 Government ministers have limited capacity. Civil servants are stretched. Make life easier for busy and pressed civil servants: provide credible data as well as case studies outlining the social and economic impact and the contribution that universities make to the region. 👉 Universities need to demonstrate VFM, seek to co-define and co-create solutions with government, step up to the challenge and help shape policies for the post 16 education landscape. 👉 The power of the anecdote. To be influential, universities need to combine evidence (provide data) and emotion (share stories). Engage with local politicians, be practical and show them the ‘shiny things’ to enthuse about but also show them the leaky roofs. 👉 The power of hope.  Many people and parents value what universities do and politicians do understand that universities are a fundamental part of social and economic fabric.  https://lnkd.in/gVPDYsC2

Today, we join the global community in commemorating International Education Day. We celebrate the power of learning and the resilience of education in challenging times. In line with this, explore this insightful article on CEPR - Centre for Economic Policy Research shedding light on "Educating children in emergencies: Global evidence from five randomized trials." Column Authors: Noam Angrist, Micheal Ainomugisha, Sai Pramod Bathena, Peter Bergman, Robert Colin Crossley, Claire Cullen, Moitshepi Matsheng, Rene Marlon Panti, Shwetlena Sabarwal, Timothy Sullivan Read full column here: https://lnkd.in/dWf-dxqi

We had a series of staff forums yesterday to launch the strategy planning process for the university. One of the topics that is front of many people’s minds is how we, as university communities, ensure we are hosting and contributing to the challenging debates that are swirling in society. Right now it feels like those with divergent views are shouting at each other from increasingly distant entrenchments, or lobbing verbal javelins from philosophical ravelins. A university is positioned, by definition, to be the critic and conscience of society; and throughout our strategy planning in the coming months we will decide how we can create the environment where  people can argue as if they are right, but listen as if they are wrong. Where we don’t host debate based on common-enemy identity politics, but encourage and contribute to respectful, evidence-based disagreement. I asked a friend, from outside the University sector, what she would want to say to academics if she was given the chance to rark us all up a bit. She is a far greater wordsmith than I am, so I am reproducing her words, and her wero, here verbatim: “How do you get brave enough to stretch beyond your subject silos and make a much bigger, and arguably more important, contribution to society? As facilitators of evidence-based debate more generally? When did you stop having very important things to say about just about anything? Have you failed collectively to convince the NZ public that you can, in fact, hold multiple viewpoints and show humility and neutrality where it’s needed? How do you keep, or regain, our trust and confidence? And in doing so strengthen the very foundations of our universities and country?” Hikina te manuka!