As well as the study schools, I also presented, with colleagues at two conferences this month.  The first was the Higher Education Academy’s national conference in Nottingham where we presented on an innovative project to develop and implement our own Professional Standards Framework for Teaching and Learning in Higher Educaiton at the University of Lincoln.  The second was the Joint Social Work Education Conference held in Manchester, where we presented on a SWAP (social work and policy subject centre) funded research project to explore students’ experiences of mentoring children and young people looked after by the Local Authority.  These are just some of the areas of work that made July such a busy month – all in all, I felt as though I was hardly at home all month!  So, I am looking forward to a chance to catch up and have some annual leave in August!

On the ‘up’ side, at home, we had a good time celebrating my son’s birthday, these are always precious family times to be enjoyed – so another year older and another year wiser … well maybe!  

On the ‘down’ side, as the University develops and consolidates, there is increasing awareness of the impact of national funding changes (cuts!) to structures and practices in the institution.  A key example this month has been the confirmed decision to sell the campus building in Hull.  It is pleasing that all current students from the campus will be supported to continue and complete their studies before Hull based activities are consolidated at the main Lincoln campus; however, change always has its challenges.  At the same time, nationally students and colleagues are protesting about financial cuts to higher education, the whole picture is very worrying.

I have been pleasantly distracted, however, through my involvement in some interesting research projects that have required a good deal of activity this month. I have been in southern Ireland gathering data, which has involved some really interesting and enjoyable time spent with school children and professionals.  The research project I am leading, that is funded by the Social Work and Policy subject centre of the Higher Education Academy, has also ‘taken off’ this month, with the first tranch of data collection with students and key stakeholders; for details of this project click here.  My teaching this month has centred around supporting delivery of a doctoral study school and individual work with students completing their final undergraduate independent study work.

To continue in the same vein for now though, January and February so far have been busy teaching and marking periods.  I have also found time to submit some proposals for conference papers both as a sole author, and jointly with some very valued colleagues in South Africa and in Australia.  I am hoping that these abstracts meet with some success as I feel so honoured to have the opportunity to work with people from Universities across the world (keeping fingers firmly crossed on these!).  I also submitted two bids for small ‘pockets’ of research funding over this period, one locally, one to a national organisation.  The first has been unsuccessful, but offered good learning for its redevelopment for future submissions….the second is still under review (hopefully the already crossed fingers will work for this too)

During January I made reasonable progress on the book I am writing; I have tight plan/schedule to keep to and so far, all is going well.  I enjoy writing when I have some concentrated time and can loose myself in the substance and content – a whole day can go by in, what feels like the blink of an eye! 

I wouldn’t be a true Brit without mentioning the weather, particularly given the extreme conditions we have experienced at this start of the year.  It has been very cold (and I really don’t like the cold), with some periods of substantial snow fall.  The snow is attractive and leaves a stunning landscape, but we are not prepared for it and it brings chaos for all travellers, even those trying to get about on foot.  I very much dislike driving in these conditions, so am looking forward to spring – we have snowdrops in the garden, so hopefully the new season will soon be here.  In my last blog, I reported on the troubles caused by mechanical problems with my car, so can now update this by reporting that I have decided to buy a new vehicle.  The new car arrives in March – perhaps along with the spring….there is much to look forward to

I do remember having a wonderful short break to Krakow in Poland with all of the family early in the month.  It was the first time I have been to Poland, we had good weather and stayed in the old part of Krakow, which was lovely.  Here are a couple of pictures…

 I also participated in the iPED 2009, 4th International Inquiring Pedagogies Conference, where I presented a paper and chaired a session.  Directly afterwards heading for London for an interesting meeting with publishers Learning Matters, to discuss, in part, some more writing that I am involved with.  Teaching was also back underway this month, with many new students, the delivery of a new module on social work theories and methods, and preparing for an exciting opportunity to work with some new doctoral students on the professional taught doctorate in education.  As I read back over what I have written here, I can see that it is little wonder that the month seemed to zoom passed without me noticing!

At home, it was quite good to put the christmas decorations away as the kittens were perpetually interested in the baubles and ribbons!  Early in the month we treated ourselves to a spa-weekend away; a couple of days of sort of ‘detox’ with lots of swimming and relaxation, the perfect start to 2009!

At home, any spare time has been geared towards planning for the festive break.  We had a lovely weekend in Manchester, looking around the German Christmas market and enjoying a Tapas meal out.  So the focus has been on shopping for presents, planning meals, thinking about decorations – and wondering how we will manage the challenge of putting up a Christmas Tree with baubles and decorations, with two lively 6-month old kittens charging about…. 

Family life was also somewhat difficult this month with a very sad and unexpected family bereavement putting us all in a bit of turmoil.  However, on a more cheery note, family pulled together and we are now all looking forward to the festive break and some time to ‘gather strength’.  December will be a busy time workwise, but with some precious family time built-in.

So, the key thing for October has been publishing this website, with the help of colleagues at the University of Lincoln and my husband, Dai – there is lots more to do, but this will always be ‘work in progress’.  I have also been spending as much time as possible writing on my doctoral thesis, with a particular focus on chapters 1, 2 and 3.  My teaching focus this month has been on supporting part-time students with the final dissertations and progress towards practice learning experiences as part of their undergraduate studies.  I had an excellent day at the NVivo Masterclass in London in the middle of the month and now feel confident to improve and progress my analysis of the doctoral project on the qualitative data analysis software.  Also, on 7th October at Derby University, I facilitated, with colleagues from the REACH network, a one-day workshop event, in partnership with the Centre for Recording Achievement titled ‘Implementing Professional Development in Complex Roles within Higher Education; using research findings’.  This went very well, with over 20 participants, although we are yet to properly reflect on all of the outcomes and the evaluations from the day.

At home, my son had his 21st birthday (where do the years go?); my daughter and son-in-law came over to spend a weekend with us; I had a weekend away at a spa-retreat with some ‘old’ girlfriends from school; and the kittens have been growing at great speed!

The diary is full for November, so we shall see what progress can be made…..