It is now mid-February and I have unintentionally missed the monthly blog for January. I am gradually becoming aware too that colleagues tend to use blogs and tweets for different purposes, but commonly for making statements, publishing ideas and setting off debate. Yet my blogs are more ‘notes to self’, a brief update on key areas of work, a sort of on-going diary; so I am now wondering if I am doing this ‘right’…mmm something to ponder on, comments welcome!
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 am writing this blog in October, as September seems to have disappeared before my eyes! I thought, though, that I should write something here to capture some of the main activities through the month, as far as I can remember them now!
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!
I am writing this blog towards the end of the month; it seems incredible that the first month of the new year is already just about behind us! As ever, it has been a busy month, after the festive break it was straight back into a very hectic period. A key point in the month was a whole Faculty teaching and learning event that I was instrumental in organising; a great deal of planning and preparation has to be put in to ensure the success of just a few hours of presentation and discussion. Anecdotally, though, it did seem as though the event was well received. Through the month I have also been very active in moving forward the recruitment process for the SCOTs project , this has largely been about responding to potential applicants and co-ordinating people’s diaries to arrange interviews and to plan for the induction training in early February. I am really excited about this small pilot which seems as though, at last, it is going to come to fruition. Another exciting project that has moved forward considerably this month is the CPD framework development project for the institution. I have been working closely with the newly appointed project manager and we now have a realistic developing action plan. January has been a busy month marking student assessment work, teaching and preparing teaching materials for modules that I am responsible for over the coming weeks. I also had a one-day trip to London to attend the Practice: Social Work in Action editorial board meeting where I am involved in work to plan for a symposium, supported by the journal, to be held in Hong Kong in April. My doctoral thesis has moved forward a little over the month as I am now working simultaneously on three chapters, writing across the themes, rather than ‘down’ the chapters, if that makes sense! I am also attending, right at the end of the month, two days of training on ‘surviving your viva’ which seems a little premature when I haven’t finished writing, but I want to be as prepared as possible!
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!
