2 days agoMeet markets? Questioning the utility of large scale annual academic conferencesAugust 13, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross Over the past few decades attending large annual academic conferences has lost its appeal to many scholars and graduate students alike. Participants frequently complain that these meetings are: • too expensive, • crowded, and • artificial environments (e.g., …Higher Education3 min read
Aug 4Undergrads need to know the difference between teaching facts versus opinionsAugust 3, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross University instructors and students usually have contrasting expectations of each other. One of the most dominant concerns the respective roles and differences between facts versus opinions. Some students, (and sometimes instructors and administrators too) assume that university instruction should primarily be the transmission…Opinions Vs Facts2 min read
Jul 25Why do some cities appear to have more graffiti and street art than others?July 25, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross Cities and urban locations vary not only on their size, topography, the people who live, work, and visit there, the kinds of businesses they support, but on the types of structures that are built to enable the activities that occur in these locales. …Graffiti4 min read
Jul 19Whose vacation is it anyways?July 19, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross Summer is here. It’s warm outside, many people think that COVID-19 has been beat, have cabin fever, disposable income, can take time off work, and want to travel and take a vacation. After the decision to travel has been made, then it’s time…Vacation3 min read
Jul 11Misapplying appropriation, co-optation, commodification & fetishizationJuly 11, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross The recent social media discussion over the work and legacy of Frida Kahlo, while somewhat interesting and entertaining, is in many respects disappointing. Some criticism argues that, because Kahlo came from a privileged upper class family, was comparatively light-skinned, and was not purely…Appropriation4 min read
Jul 4The Unravelling of American Democracy?July 4, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross On the 246th anniversary of the signing the Declaration of Independence it may be helpful to reflect on an alarming trend. During the presidency of Donald Trump numerous anti-democratic policies, practices, laws, and events in American society occurred. This happened not just at…Democracy4 min read
Jun 27The repeal of Roe v Wade highlights the need to change the way we choose Supreme Court justices and their terms of serviceJune 27, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross The American justice system is imperfect. That’s why it’s constantly being reformed. Factor in the necessity to make decisions partially based on empirical evidence and consulting experts, but more importantly competing ideological and political forces, then you realize why the process is slow. …Roe V Wade4 min read
Jun 20How about a memorial to the people who died, were injured, and victimized in the January 6th insurrection?June 20, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross I’m not the first person to make this recommendation, and certainly will not be the last. But the January 6th 2021 insurrection, or riots as some would describe them, in particular the numerous law enforcement officers who were injured and the eight people…Capitol Riot3 min read
Jun 13Why is the Committee to investigate the January 6th attack holding televised hearings now?June 13, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross In any public performance or activity there are always stated and unstated objectives. …January 6 20214 min read
Jun 6What’s the best way to choose a research agenda?June 5, 2022 by Jeffrey Ian Ross Before, during, or after graduate school some academics (including researchers, investigators, and scholars) struggle with determining what questions they want to answer, disciplines they want to contribute to, or what their overall research agenda is or should be. …Higher Education5 min read