PhD Researcher Intern Wanted

As part of my PhD research and work at Griffith University, I get a few opportunities to work on research projects. At the moment, I am at capacity and full workload so no new work for me. But one PhD researcher/ intern vacancy come across my desk this week I thought might be interesting for a few Brisbane-based PhD readers. Here it is. Good luck! NG.

PhD Researcher Intern Wanted. Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th April, 2019.

Project details

  • Applications Close: 24th April 2019
  • Reference: APR – 849A
  • Payment: $3,000 per month stipend
  • Location: Spring Hill, Brisbane QLD (although travel may be required)
  • Duration: 4 months
  • Proposed start date: May/June 2019
  • Contract company: APR Intern

Project Background

Veterans, particularly younger veterans without Gold Cards, report significant challenges in accessing appropriate General Practice support, as well as medical specialists related to chronic medical conditions and surgical services. Finding medical specialists who understand the package of health issues faced by veterans can be a challenge. Finding medical specialists who are also willing to engage with the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) payment system, where healthcare is eligible for DVA funding, is a second and significant challenge.

Often, veterans report that they have attempted to navigate the complex civil healthcare system only to find their referred specialist is unwilling to provide services at DVA rates. This forces the veteran to return to their General Practitioner for a new referral, or in many cases, veterans drop out of the health system until their condition deteriorates where healthcare costs are known to escalate.

Research to be Conducted

In Phase 1 of the project, a series of questionnaires, surveys and feedback tools will be applied to the younger veteran target population. These questionnaires and surveys will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face, telephone and online survey instruments. Using a combination of Likert scale and open questions, these surveys will allow the team to refine the set of issues and barriers for the second Phase of the investigation.

In Phase 2 of the health project, the project team will combine the results of desktop research with the initial survey results attained in Phase 1 to further refine the areas of investigation. The Project Team will then interview and survey a number of health specialists to understand their attitudes to veteran healthcare and issues they see in providing care to this population.

Deep-dive interviews will also be conducted with younger veterans in this second phase of the project to better understand the summary issues and barriers identified through the surveys conducted in Phase 1.

Skills Required

We are looking for a PhD student with the following:

ESSENTIAL

  • Mixed method research experience, but particularly qualitative research
  • Strong experience in stakeholder engagement and communication

DESIRABLE

  • Health system understanding and experience

Expected Outcomes

This project will result in a clear understanding of the issues and barriers preventing ease of access to civil healthcare for younger veterans, as well as their attitudes toward access of both GP and medical specialist healthcare.

The results of this project will then allow a clear roadmap of strategies to address barriers to access, from both the provider side (health specialists), younger veterans and for funders (DVA).

We anticipate that the project will also involve recommendations and strategies around care coordination and case management, given the complexity of the civil healthcare system, and such strategies would also include their own engagement and communication strategies to increase the awareness of suitable services for younger veterans.

Additional Details

The intern will receive $3,000 per month of the internship, usually in the form of stipend payments.

It is expected that the intern will primarily undertake this research project during regular business hours, spending at least 80% of their time on-site with the industry partner.  The intern will be expected to maintain contact with their academic mentor throughout the internship either through face-to-face or phone meetings as appropriate.

The intern and their academic mentor will have the opportunity to negotiate the project’s scope, milestones and timeline during the project planning stage.

We recommend that you liaise with the Graduate Research School (GRS) and/or Higher Degree Research (HDR) Placements Office at your university, prior to submitting an application, to validate your eligibility to participate in the APR.Intern program.

PhD Researcher Intern Wanted. Bicycles Create Change.com. 4th April, 2019.
Image: Graduatetoemployment.com

Writing an Annotated Bibliography

At some stage in most postgrad programs, students will need to complete an Annotated Bibliography.  

The style, format, content and purpose of an annotated bibliography differs depending on intent, discipline, timing and approach.

I completed an Ann Bib of 15 key feminist New Materialism articles when I reframed my PhD theoretical framework.

It was a very valuable exercise. Not only did it require me to be judicious in selecting the articles, I put to work a different set of reading skills, applied critical appraisal to each, achieved a deep learning about the topic, and it formed to guts of my dissertation’s Theoretical Perspectives (Chapter 3).

Some of my Postgrad students have been asking about how to do an Annotated Bibliography – so here are some ideas on how to approach it.

Writing an Annotated Bibliography. Bicycles Create Change.com 31st Jan, 2019.
Image: Skidmore Library

What is an annotated bibliography?

Annotation = notes (critical notes and evaluative comments)

Bibliography = a list of readings/research sources

An annotated bibliography is a summary account of the available empirical research and literature on a specific topic.

As well as a general outline of the research source, it also includes your own concise analysis, reflections, critiques, evaluation or any other comments and notes of each source as to how the source is linked/useful for your own research project.

Devising an Annotated Bibliography

If you go online (academic websites and YouTube are a good place to start) there is a plethora of information about on how to do an Annotated Bibliography.

One quick caveat regarding the information below.

There is no one way to do an annotated bibliography.

The following format is my own enmeshed format that suits my interest, needs and style. The content, length and focus for your purpose may differ – so be sure to do you own homework and experiment.

If you are doing an Anno Bib for a uni course – make sure you consult your supervisor, tutor or manager to see how/what elements best suit your project or what style they recommend.

I developed my own format based on three imputs: my own ideas/needs, some ideas gleamed from Prof Robert Talbert, and info from UNSW

1. My Enmeshed Annotated Bibliography

I wanted a longer format Anno Bib because I was reading complex theoretical and praxis articles in-depth.

I included a few additional elements: what type of article it is, how many times it has been cited, my own questions the article raised, interesting terms/concepts and vocab with the page number included for quick referencing if needed later.

Here are the elements in my Anno Bib.

  • Full APA Reference details
  • Article: This is a (style/type) article*. This article has been cited XXX times.
  • The context is …
  • The ‘big’ guiding question/s from this field this paper is addressing is
  • The Lit Review background focuses …
  • The specific RQ of this article is
  • The methods used
  • The authors conclude/results are that ..
  • The strengths of this text is ..
  • However, the limitations are ..
  • The authors did/not answer the RQ they posed by…  (optional)…
  • Some unique or helpful special features of this article were ..
  • Other relevance or usefulness
  • How this paper relates to my study
  • Useful ideas or key terms
  • Ideas & Questions
Writing an Annotated Bibliography. Bicycles Create Change.com 31st Jan, 2019.

* The style or type of article are:

  • Data-driven papers
  • Theory building/ Theory testing
  • Conscious raising papers
  • Agenda Setting papers
  • Position papers
  • Methodology
  • Review article – comprehensive summary of research on a certain topic
  • Perspective, opinion, and commentary – presents the author’s viewpoint on the interpretation, analysis, or methods used in a particular study
  • Original research – hypothesis, background study, methods, results, interpretation of findings, and a discussion of possible implications
  • Clinical case study/Clinical trial

2. Prof Robert Talbert

Prof. Robert Talbert is one of my favorite academic bloggers (alongside Dr Inger Mewburn of the Thesis Whisper and Dr Pat Thompson at Patter).

Prof. Talbert uses a Get Things Done! (GTD) approach to reading research articles, which I find very productive, so I’ve gleamed a few ideas from his approach.

Here’s an example of Prof. Talbert’s approach.

Writing an Annotated Bibliography. Bicycles Create Change.com 31st Jan, 2019.
Image: Prof. Robert Talbert

3. UNSW

UNSW recommends that contents of an annotated bibliography can contain all or part of these elements (depending on the word limit and the content of the sources).

  • Provide the full bibliographic citation
  • Indicate the background of the author(s)
  • Indicate the content or scope of the text
  • Outline the main argument
  • Indicate the intended audience
  • Identify the research methods (if applicable)
  • Identify any conclusions made by the author/s
  • Discuss the reliability of the text
  • Highlight any special features of the text that were unique or helpful (charts, graphs etc.)
  • Discuss the relevance or usefulness of the text for your research
  • Point out in what way the text relates to themes or concepts in your course
  • State the strengths and limitations of the text
  • Present your view or reaction to the text

This is a comprehensive approach to critically reading literature. I like the idea of including the background of the author – which is good for tracing a concept’s genealogy or the development of a prominent author’s argument.

Here’s a UNSW example of an Anno Bib, but for postgrad or PhD purposes, this is far too simplistic, but you can see the general idea/format.

Writing an Annotated Bibliography. Bicycles Create Change.com 31st Jan, 2019.
Image: UNSW

There are as many ways to do an annotated bibliography as there are students. Have an explore online to see what elements you need to include – and be sure to talk others (especially a supervisor or tutor) on other recommended formats.

Undertaking and annotated bibliography is a very worthwhile activity to get to know a topic in detail – and it is a very necessary and sought-after advanced academic skill.

Best of luck if you are conducting an annotated bibliography!

IECHE Fellowship Application

I am very lucky to be working at a university where I have access to conference opportunities where I can contribute in discussions about educational best practices at the higher education level.

One national example is last year, when I presented my From EAS to Collaborative Internship: Lessons and insights where bicycles create change (a pilot international student program I developed and delivered) at the English Australia state teaching conference. It won the Queensland 2018 Bright Ideas Award and EA sent me to present the same session at the national conference.

This year, I am looking further a field.

IECHE Fellowship Application. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th Jan, 2019.
Image: IECHE

The International Exhibition and Conference in Higher Education (IECHE) is an annual international exhibition organized by the Saudi Ministry of Higher Education in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This week, I applied for a IECHE Fellowship.

Up to 100 IECHE Fellowships are being awarded by the Saudi Kingdom so overseas higher education professionals to attend and join in conversations about global best practices.

IECHE Fellowship Application. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th Jan, 2019.
Image: Ebaum’s World. Graduation of 18 female doctors at Jizan University, Saudi Arabia

What is the IECHE?

The adoption of the new by-laws in Saudi Arabia will make the 2019 conference particularly important as local universities will be managing more autonomy and facing a significant cultural shift in the process.

The Saudi Cultural Mission sees this event as being invaluable to encourage participation, enhance collaboration and build partnerships between Saudi and international higher education institutions, and to develop mutual understanding about the issues that govern and influence the quality of higher education worldwide.

Each year an international advisory panel helps select a theme for each conference, design the program, and invite international experts and scholars who are shaping higher education policy and practice throughout the world.

Apparently over 3, 300 people attend this event. Past IECHE speakers and panelists include Nobel laureates, vice-chancellors from the world’s most prestigious universities, ministers of higher education, and leading researchers from every continent.

The theme for the 2019 IECHE is Transforming Saudi universities in an era of change.

IECHE Fellowship Application. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th Jan, 2019.
IECHE Fellowship Application. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th Jan, 2019.
Images: IECHE 2019

What is the IECHE Fellowship?

The fellowships are offered to international educators, researchers and policy makers in higher education and cover a costs for airfares, accommodation, meals and conference participation.

Fellowship selection is based on diversity in geographic location, gender, age and experience.

I worked hard on my application. Given that I am at the intersection of many of the selection criteria, I think I have as good a chance as anyone else in being awarded.

I am genuinely interested in attending this event and in the opportunity to experience Saudi Arabia for the first time.

It will take a fortnight for the fellowship applications to be processed.

Fingers crossed!

IECHE Fellowship Application. Bicycles Create Change.com. 18th Jan, 2019.
Image: Griffith News

I won a CSSS scholarship!

I won a CSSS Scholarship! Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th Dec, 2018.
Image: C F Giving

Hooray! Great news!

Two months ago I applied for a Griffith Continuing Student Scholarship (CSSS) – and today I got notification that my application was successful!

Woohoo!

This means that after three years of doing my PhD part-time, as of January 1st 2019, I’m going full time for the next two years and paid a stipend to complete my research!

 Awesome!!

The scholarship means that I can take a step back from teaching so much and focus solely on completing my PhD and publishing a few journal articles.

I put the CSSS application in about two months ago. I worked hard on it and did the right thing by seeking advice from a couple of academics on how to boost my chances. I made edits and changes as needed and then submitted it with fingers crossed knowing because the CSSS is quite competitive.

I won a CSSS Scholarship! Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th Dec, 2018.
Image: Ramzi Hachicho

Getting the call

I was in a shopping center at an Apple store when I got the call. I was putting my laptop for service and sitting at the customer desk with all the other customers.  My help I have just gone up the back for a couple minutes so I took the call when my phone rang.  It was GGRS letting me know that my scholarship application was successful.  What a great call to get!

After I hung up the phone I couldn’t help myself.

I turned around to face the store, and no one in particular, and called out excitedly to anyone who cared to hear:

 “I just won a super competitive scholarship which means I’ll be paid to complete my PhD research for the next two years!”

 The store erupted into unified joyous celebration of clapping and cheering and people’s congratulations.

The couple next to me was smiling broadly and the woman said:

Can I give you a hug? It sounds like a hug-worthy event.

Hells yeah, said I! It was a lovely hug and a very memorable moment.

Three years into my PhD and I know how important it is for motivation and progress to celebrate milestones and achievements.

And this is certainly one to celebrate.

I won a CSSS Scholarship! Bicycles Create Change.com. 17th Dec, 2018.
Image: Griffith University

 So what is the CSSS?

Griffith University offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships are available to continuing HDR candidates who have successfully confirmed their candidature and are progressing well with their research. The Continuing Student Scholarship Scheme is designed to provide financial support to outstanding HDR candidates, with the purpose of accelerating progress to thesis submission.

My application entailed two steps.

  1. I had to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) outlining my academic basis for scholarship eligibility (i.e. qualifications, publications etc.), confirming I meet all other eligibility criteria, and provide a referee report from my current principal supervisor.
  2. Once the EOI was assessed by the HDR Convenor, you can then submit an application.

I had discussed with Dr Christine McDonald (our much respected HDR Convenor) that I was going for this scholarship. She was fully supportive. She gave me some excellent advice on some extra bits to include in the EOI and application and went into bat for me during the moderation meeting where they ranked and argued over which applications the committee was going to award scholarships to. I have no doubt that my application success had a large part to do with her input. Thanks so much Christine!

The application was quite intense. I had to put together:

  • a covering letter
  • a Continuing Student Scholarship Scheme application form
  • a referee report from your current principal supervisor
  • an updated research outline and completion plan
  • an updated CV
  • evidence of research publications or other research outputs (achieved since original application).

The whole application took far longer than I excepted. But of course, it was well worth the effort. Not only did I get clarity around my PhD progress, but the end result was well worth the initial effort outlaid.

I am super excited about going full-time and super motivated to make the most of this opportunity.

2019, here I come!

Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research

Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.

Today I read Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Masters Thesis.

Paulus undertook this research with Auckland University of Technology in 2010. I found this manuscript online and was initially drawn to read it as this bicycle-inspired community development project had a number of cross-over themes with my own current PhD research project.

This thesis was a pleasure to read. It was clearly written, on-topic and full of interesting images to help break up blocks of text.

It was great to see a new approach to many of the issues I can currently researching, like bicycle use in developing countries, local adaptations and resources, impacts of cultural needs and contexts, and how users personalise their bicycles.

Equally, reading the chapters on the technical design and development phases was also interesting as this project centres on a product creation and intervention, whereas mine does not.

Below is Maringka’s thesis’ abstract, thesis organisation and some of the key images from the thesis, which gives a solid overview of the project without having to read it in its entirety.

Download a copy of Marinkka’s (2010) Greencycle thesis here.

Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.

Greencycle Abstract

This Greencycle project applies a system approach to shift design thinking and practices away from the ongoing unsustainable use of resources towards a more sustainable framework of consumption whereby local cultures, skills, resources and technology are analyzed to inform the design and development of a human powered transportation system.

It uses a trans-disciplinary research and design approach by consulting all stakeholders; including farmers in a Third World country, industrial designers, engineers and manufacturers to provide information, understanding and insights as a basis to find solutions that have enabled this research study to produce a system called Greencycle which utilizes renewable materials and indigenous people skills to produce a bicycle that is more sustainable.

The bicycle provides more than basic transportation to go from A to B. Poor countries need and depend on this mode of transportation for a wide range of uses; thus expanding its function and uses would be of great benefit to its users.

This research study has created a series of accessories to extend a bicycle’s functionality, with the core being made from sustainable materials and local skills. For this project it would have been a simple process for the designer to come up with a concept idea(s) that was based on a personal view of what would be a suitable solution for the target user.

Instead however, the designer has used feedback from the target group participants to shape and develop the design process and to ensure the design will be acceptable for the target user to use and manufacture.

This research study has included four expert interviews, eleven case studies of target users, prototype testing and field experiments with sustainable resources to gather information, understanding and insights from these stakeholders in order to propose, design and evaluate two Greencycles (using sustainable bamboo material) and a series of design accessories.

This multi-discipline approach to the design problem has revealed many opportunities that would otherwise be hidden by less detailed research and design methodology. Many academic studies stop at the point when the written thesis is complete.

This research study has included four expert interviews, eleven case studies of target users, prototype testing and field experiments with sustainable resources to gather information, understanding and insights from these stakeholders in order to propose, design and evaluate two Greencycles (using sustainable bamboo material) and a series of design accessories. This multi-discipline approach to the design problem has revealed many opportunities that would otherwise be hidden by less detailed research and design methodology. Many academic studies stop at the point when the written thesis is complete.

This research project went a step further by testing and implementing its findings on users back in its intended marketplace to ensure the design will be adopted by and be successful for people in Third World countries.

As a result of this research, there is now an opportunity to look at and create a business model that provides new income opportunities for the local people.

Feedback for the Greencycle design and its accessories has so far been very encouraging, with participants showing a significant level of enthusiasm. To take advantage of this success, a business proposition to market these sustainable products seems plausible as a first step to developing this business venture. Information posters to showcase the accessories and their functions and applications have been designed to test market demands and other important indicators for future business development and strategy.

Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.

Thesis Organisation

Chapter 1: Introduction

 Introduces and scopes the areas of research and need for functional, usable and sustainable human powered machines.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Provides critical analysis through literature review and internet ethnography to gain an understanding and knowledge of bicycle functionality and bicycle users in Third World countries. This chapter also reviews literature and provides a study background on Bicycle Ergonomics, Green Materials and Sustainability.

Chapter 3: Research Design & Research Methods

Outlines the research design and design methods approach to the design generation and development of the Greencycle and accessories.

Chapter 4: Significant Findings

Presents the significant findings and the major discoveries that formed the design criteria of the Greencycle and accessories.

Chapter 5: Design & Development Phases

Details the design phases and iterative processes in the development phases of the Greencycle and the accessories.

Chapter 6: Evaluation

Details the evaluation outcomes of an integrated approach for the concept design thinking of the Greencycle and accessories, including materials and manufacturing processes.

Chapter 6: Discussion & Conclusion

The Discussion and Conclusion provides a reflection on what has been achieved and the future of the Greencycle and the accessories.

Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.
Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 3rd Dec, 2018.

Abstract, chapter organization & images: Paulus Maringka (2010) Greencycle .

NiAcaWriMo

Many creatives use a month-long challenge to encourage productivity.

My personal favorite is still Skull-a-Day by Noah Scalin.

Last year, this blog covered the month long illustration challenge of INKtober and showcased Walt Cahill’s whimsical cycling illustrations.

Many of us would love to undertake a month-long challenge.

But work, family and hobby demands often get in the way.

Two days ago, I came across the National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo.

In this event, I saw an opportunity to adopt certain principles of NaNoWriMo to use in an academic context that would not detract time and energy away from my current work/research demands – but would, in fact, be a productivity kick-starter!

Source: NaNoWriMo

What is NaNoWriMo?

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) happens every year, It is an Internet-based creative writing challenge to write a 50,000-word novel from 1st to the 30th of November.

The National Novel Writing Month website started this challenge in July 1999 with only 21 participants. In 2010, 200,000 people wrote 2.8 billion words and in 2015, 430,000 participants completed 50,000 manuscripts.

This is a great challenge to get inspired, build a regular writing routine, overcome writing anxiety and writer’s block, and also be part of a highly active online community.

Source: Jeff Schwisow

Using NaNoWriMo for academic writing

During NaNoWriMo, it is the length of the draft, not the quality that is the main goal. Editing and polishing the document comes later.

Producing writing is a constant pressure for academics and PhD candidates.

Essentially PhDers are assessed on their writing output. PhDers are required to, at a minimum, produce an 80,000-120,000-word high-quality dissertation and at least one peer-review journal article in order to fulfil their candidature. Having additional publications, conference proceeding and other written documentation are also expected.

That is one of the reasons I started this blog – to force myself to write regularly.

I love the idea of a writing challenge. I have not been producing as much writing as I did when I first started my research and my usually productive writing routine has slipped.

Although NaNoWriMo is a novel writing challenge, I am going to use it as an opportunity to apply some of its principles to jumpstart my academic writing productivity.

Many NaNoWriMo ideas are transferable to an academic writing challenge.

So I went on an online binge to glean some of the most useful NaNoWriMo approaches.

As an  R &D homage to the original NaNoWriMo, I’ve called my initial checklist (below) NiAcaWriMo – or Nina’s Academic Writing Month.

Here’s what I came up with….

Source: WCUK

NiAcaWriMo

Have all equipment and materials prepared.

This includes working tools like the keyboard, monitors, laptop/desktop, notebooks and any other paraphernalia needed. Delete Netflix or any other distractions. For me, this also meant setting up a dual monitor stand-up desk and putting my laptop in for a service and updating the operating system and all software.

Spring clean and organise your workspace.

To create productive energy and focus, declutter and spring clean your workspace. Clear out any distractions, tidy up or better yet, remove as much as you can out of your workspace to make it a lean and clean studious area. Dust off screens and keyboards, and wipe down any surfaces, IT cords and equipment as recognition that this space is open to new and fresh ideas. Commit to keeping the space clear by not allowing others to put anything in your workspace, clearing your desk at the end of each day and only keeping the basic work materials needed on your desk.  

Prepare a soundtrack.

Some people listen to music while working, others prefer silence. Either way, know what kind of soundscape is most productive for you. When I work in an open office, I use ear plugs as well as high-performance ear muffs (a technique I use on public transport as well) if I want quiet and little sound. Or I use headphones with my own soundscape. I have had great success with alpha, beta and gamma binaural beats, which I used to complete a 17,000 minor thesis in four days. Another option is classical or instrumental music with no lyrics. Or have background music in a different language so your brain is not subconsciously engaged with the lyrics, but focused on your written language. For this technique, I’d recommend the French R & B duo Les Nubians album Princesses Nubiennes. Other creatives swear by having the same song on constant repeat which helps to create a consistent and familiar flow state. Find what works best for you.

Tell others about your challenge.

This means getting your significant other/s, family, work colleagues and friends on board with what you are doing. This will save a lot of misunderstanding and issues in the future and people will be a lot more understanding and supportive. If you are upfront with your purpose and time frame, then measures can be taken to organise and negate possible future complications such as invitations and drop-in visits and even further to include things such as house cleaning and grocery shopping.

Protect your focus

For one whole month, you need to make your writing challenge top priority – and this protecting your focus. This step requires you to know what you need to do your best work, what time of day you are most productive and that you put into place strategies to minimise interruptions and stay productive. This can include setting a schedule or a daily timetable. Or read some key literature that is not only inspiring, but is at a standard you wish to achieve. For academic writing, I like to have 3 journal articles that are my gold standard – two by my favourite author in my research field and another on a different topic whose style, expression and vocabulary I really enjoy reading. Another way to protect your focus might is to set your phone to silent and leave it in another room for your sessions. Or use an app to help your focus and build self-control, or a productivity app that helps avoid distractions, like Cold Turkey, which I recommend to postgrad students.

Prepare body and mind

We all know looking after the body and mind is important during intense work bursts, but the challenge is to make it a priority in order to sustain productivity. This includes eating well, being hydrated, taking regular screen breaks, doing regular exercise (until sweaty), getting adequate sleep and generally looking after your overall well-being. Build these elements into your daily schedule to ensure you protect your focus and keep yourself working at the optimal level. Have a look at A Year of Productivity for other strategies to help prepare the body and mind.

Other NiAcaWriMo considerations

Once prepared, you then need to put it all into action.

This is an area I am still refining. So below is an outline of some tactics I’ve found to be incredibly helpful in consistently producing written work.

Morning Routine: I have had great success using a priming morning routine that I have adapted and personalised over the last three years.

iThinkwell. Over the last two years, I have attended two iThinkwell workshops: Turbocharge your writing and Seven habits of highly successful research students. I still some of the strategies from these workshops. If you get to one of these sessions, get your library to order the companion books which cover the same material so you can still get ahead.

An additional bonus is that iThinkwell have a range of awesome free resources to track progress, manage time frames and organise priorities.

Prepare the next day the night before. One key technique is starting a new day fresh and proactive, is to prepare what you are going to do the next day before you leave your desk the night before. Identifying The Next Thing is a quick and easy way to get a new productive day started without wasting any valuable energy or focus on planning the day, you just get on and do it. Some writers like to leave a question as a stimulus for the next days’ writing session, or dot points that need expanding on, others leave notes to complete, or end the previous day mid-sentence so there is an idea to complete the next day and continue on.

Have a daily goal. I have a PhD friend who has a daily goal of writing 250 words a day. Another academic I know has committed one hour every day for the last five years to writing. Whether it is time, words count, tasks or any other goal, having a clear daily goal is a good way to set the intention for the day, track progress and establish milestones of achievement.

50,0000 words in a 30-day month equals 1,667 words per day.

Take each day separately. Keep in mind that progress is based on day-to-day productivity. Set-backs are inevitable. Don’t be too hard on yourself and be realistic. There will be blow-outs, mess-ups, crappy days and interruptions – this is part of life and work. If you struggle one day, reset and try again the next, but don’t try and catch-up as this adds extra stress. Take each day as a stoned alone session and accept that there will be ‘good days’ and ‘bad days’.

Know what a ‘good day’ looks like. How do you define ‘a good day’ of work? What does it look like? Is it producing a 500-word outline? Or writing 1,500 original new words? Reading a journal article? Having this clarification means that you know when you have achieved it. If this is not clear, you are at risk of ending each day feeling like you have not achieved your goal and could have done more, no matter how much your produce.

Garbage in, garbage out. Be mindful and actively manage what you allow yourself to be exposed to. This includes TV, social media, movies and the news – and also people. Remember the quality of your output is determined by the quality of the input. Read quality literature, reduce media exposure, unplug and read more engaging books.

Acknowledge milestones and reward. As you progress with writing, acknowledge micro-successes and milestones achieved. Having small rewards helps track activity, recognise breakthroughs, monitor improvements and boost motivation.

Writing is not editing. Writing and editing are two different skills, yet many people edit as they write and this can hamper progress and flow. For NaNoWriMo, participants are writing a 50,000-word draft. There is no editing at this stage and this a good idea to keep in mind. Many people get distracted while writing by fact-checking, looking up a definition, searching for a ‘better word’ or stopping to insert an accurate reference as they write. Doing these during the writing phrase inhibits ‘writing flow’ and focus. So the aim is to get ideas in writing down on without stopping to edit.

I use the write fast, edit slow – and the read a bit, write a bit, edit a bit adage to instil the distinction and importance of doing each of these tasks regularly. Another way to achieve the writer’s flow state as advocated by Blindboy is to write with fire, edit with ice.

Source: Jeff Bullas

Next steps

I only found out about NaNoWriMo this week, so it was too late to participate this year.

But it has inspired me to get organised and get back into my writing routine.

Who needs a formal date to write?  A month-long writing challenge can be undertaken at any time!

Take this blog post as an example: just writing about this challenge has produced a 2048-word blog post and helped clarify my next steps and preparation for NiAcaWriMo. That in itself is already a valuable and productive writing activity.

As we come up to the end of the year, I’m gearing up for a NiAcaWriMo challenge in the new year.

And I will certainly be looking out for NaNoWriMo next November.

So if you have any kind of writing project, perhaps now it the time to get inspired and create your own month-long writing challenge to crack the whip and get those important first words onto paper.

Happy productive writing!

Source: Business Tutsplus

The content and ideas included in this post are my own with additional ideas and facts sourced from NaNoWriMo, NY Book Editors, Storyist, Writer’s Digest, Jerry Jenkins and Wikipedia.

Bicycle Decoration in Northern Nigeria

Post-Sydney conference has been busy with the final teaching week of Trimester 2 which means saying good-bye to classes and completing final assessment marking (*PHEW!*). On the PhD front, I’ve been working on my Ethics Application and putting together a Continuing Scholarship application to go full-time starting next year. During research, I found the below article about Nigerian bicycle decoration in a journal called Africa Arts. It is a blast from the past (1999), but I was delighted to see art bikes being featured in research literature. It gave me hope for academia …and a few ideas for a possible journal article! Below are a few of the more interesting creative highlights from the article. Enjoy! NG.


Bicycle Decoration in Northern Nigeria. Bicycles Create Change.com 9th October, 2018
Source: Renne & Usman (1999).

This week I was stoked to find this article:

Renne, E., & Usman, D. (1999). Bicycle Decoration and Everyday Aesthetics in Northern Nigeria. African Arts, 32(2), 46-92. doi: 10.2307/3337602.

This article starts with a discussion about “the dichotomy perceived to exist between objects considered to be every-day items and those considered to be traditional artworks is artificial in the Northern Nigerian context” (p. 46) and was written to probe the “continuity between the refined and intensified forms of experience that are works of art and the everyday events, doings, and sufferings” (Dewey 1934 p. 3).

Ultimately, the aim of this paper is to explore how the decoration of bicycles and the display of other everyday things in Northern Nigeria reflect an aesthetic process whereby the artist’s technical mastery of materials and creative innovation evokes a pleasurable response in the viewer.

Bicycle Decoration in Northern Nigeria. Bicycles Create Change.com 9th October, 2018
Source: Renne & Usman (1999).

Bicycle Decoration in Northern Nigeria

Essentially, there are two main ways locals Zaria and Jos (Northern Nigeria) decorate their bike:

1. Traditional decoration (has 3 steps)

Step 1: Cloth or paper is used to cover the frame of the bike.  Cloth is more expensive, but is washable.

Step 2: The frame is then painted usually in two contrasting colours.

Step 3: Decorative accessories are used for embellishments. These include handlebar tassels, mudguard decorations, fringed seat covers and pedals, plastic flowers and stickers.

2. Stickers only (new style)

Increasingly, coloured and metallic stickers are being used to completely cover the bike. The advantage here is that Day-Glo stickers can be incorporated into the design for increased night riding safety.

It should be noted that when the authors talk about ‘stickers’, they are referring mainly to sticky tape and vinyl/plastic type adhesive stickers (see picture below). The colours and designs of the stickers strongly reflect the local cultural aesthetic – which is best seen incorporated into the local architecture.

Given that this article was published in 1999, there was little access and variety to what we know as ‘stickers’ today.  Even so, the idea of covering a bike in stickers still works, especially considering sticker today express messages individually, as well as en masse. So great thought could be applied to the placement, arrangement, colour and the overall message that the owner wants to convey if they were using today’s vast array of sticker types.

Bicycle Decoration in Northern Nigeria. Bicycles Create Change.com 9th October, 2018
Source: Renne & Usman (1999).

Creative take-aways

I found this study interesting as it was focused on the skill of art and craft as a specific cultural signifier – whilst equally emphasising the everyday practicality of bicycles (used as tools, objects and transportation) as being something that is both beautify and functional.

There were a few design, aesthetics and creative approaches to embellishing objects (such as bikes) that were particularly interesting, for example, the concepts of:

  • conveying a feeling of balance, but not necessarily symmetry
  • creating a sense of balance amidst uncertainly
  • fusing material and ideas through technical aptitude
  • Gell’s  (1992) observation that “the awe inspired by the unimaginable technological transformation of materials is akin to being charmed or enchantment” – suggesting an almost magical, anthropomorphic quality to the bicycle designs
  • that unity in design is temporary
  • Bamana carver-sculptor have a spirit-mentor to guide their practice and need to show technical aptitude as well as visual imagination to be successful

I also love the idea that bike artists can pursue an ‘aesthetic impulse’ and in decorating a bike there are opportunities for ‘resistance’, such as “striving for discontinuity and disorder”, “novelty in action” and expressing a “greater range and depth of insight and increase poignancy in feeling”.

Bicycle Decoration in Northern Nigeria. Bicycles Create Change.com 9th October, 2018
Source: Renne & Usman (1999).

A bit of cultural context

In Northern Nigeria where this study took place, bicycles are ubiquitous.

They are commonly are associated with long-distance trading and with ritual practices that express certain social (brides ride the handlebars of their grooms bicycles to go to their husband’s houses), psychological  (unsafe riding in rural villages suggests mental health issues) and/or literary (bicycles feature in well-known poetry) and political (bicycles were used in a range of political demonstrations) in  states.

In the local language, the term kaya is described as an “invaluable word [that] can be used to mean almost anything”, although it may be loosely translated as”load” or as objects related to a certain activity. Thus, just as kayan doki refers to articles associated with horses (doki), kayan keke refers to decorative things associated with bicycles (keke). In the past bicycles have been referred to as dokin k’arfe – or ‘horse of iron’ – which I think it quite apt!

Bicycle Decoration in Northern Nigeria. Bicycles Create Change.com 9th October, 2018
Source: Renne & Usman (1999).


Renne, E., & Usman, D. (1999). Bicycle Decoration and Everyday Aesthetics in Northern Nigeria. African Arts, 32(2), 46-92. doi: 10.2307/3337602.

Full article: Bicycle Decoration in Northern Nigeria (Renne & Usman, 1999)

No-Nose Bicycle Saddle Research

No-Nose Bicycle Saddle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 25th September, 2018Image: Creative Commons

You more than likely you’ve heard about the health and medical issues of bicycle seat design.

But, did you know there is a growing body of scientific research investigating the role and impact of bike seats for bicycle police?

Previous scientific studies looking at bicycle saddles include:

These studies were undertaken by the US National  Institute of Occupational Health and Saftey (NIOSH), which specialises in workplace OHS research.

Recently, I’ve been reading NIOSH’s No-Nose Bicycle Saddle research, which used US bicycle police officers who are ‘occupational bicyclists’ as participants into no-nose bike seat design.

 

No-Nose Bicycle Saddle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 25th September, 2018
Image: Bisaddle

No-Nose Bicycle Saddle Research

NIOSH explains the research as such: Over the last several years, NIOSH researchers have investigated the potential health effects of prolonged bicycling in police bicycle patrol units, including the possibility that some bicycle saddles exert excessive pressure on the urogenital area of cyclists, restricting blood flow to the genitals, resulting in adverse effects on sexual function.

NIOSH worked with several police departments with bicycle patrols to conduct reproductive health research. In these studies NIOSH did more than assess a problem; it also tested a solution and published recommendations.

Several bicycle saddle manufacturers have developed saddles without protruding noses. NIOSH has investigated whether these saddles, which remove the pressure from the urogenital area, will alleviate any potential health problems.

Here’s a 2-minute video explaining the key research focus.

 

Findings and recommendations

The study found that: workers who ride a bicycle as part of their job may be at risk for genital numbness or more serious sexual and/or reproductive health problems from pressure in the groin (perineum) from the traditional bicycle saddle.

NIOSH has conducted studies that have demonstrated the effectiveness of no-nose bicycle saddles in reducing pressure in the groin and improving the sexual health of male bicycle patrol police officers.

While most workers in jobs that involve bicycling are men, recent evidence suggests that no-nose bicycle saddles may also benefit women.

Here is a copy of the studies recommendations:  No-nose Saddles for Preventing Genital Numbness and Sexual Dysfunction from Occupational Bicycling.pdf

No-Nose Bicycle Saddle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 25th September, 2018Image: Creative Commons PWIII

What did the participants think?

The research was also shared with the participant police departments. Below are a few articles from the International Police Mountain Bike Association Newsletter (IPMBA) Winter 2007, Spring 2009  & Spring 2011) editions of the San Antonio, Chicago and Seattle divisions that share participant’s experiences of being involved in the research project.

No-Nose Bicycle Saddle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 25th September, 2018No-Nose Bicycle Saddle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 25th September, 2018 No-Nose Bicycle Saddle Research. Bicycles Create Change.com. 25th September, 2018

How many Australians participate in mountain biking?

In July, Nao Kamakura joined Bicycles Create Change as Research Assistant. Nao is investigating rates of participation in mountain biking, with a particular focus on rates of female participation. Below is Nao’s first post for BCC where she shares a few preliminary findings and thoughts.


How many Australians participate in mountain biking? Bicycles Create Change.com 31st August, 2018
Image: Nur Andi  Racvanjani Gusma

How many Australians participate in mountain biking as a sport?

Brisbane City Council claims that “Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing recreational activities”.

But, how many people actually participate in mountain biking as a sport?

According to 2016 data from the  Australian Government Australian Sports Commission, cycling is the 5th most popular sport in Australian for women (over 15 years) old and its total number of participants was 85,5231.

The total female population (for all ages) in Australia is 12.2 billion in 2016. Therefore, statistically, 7% of Australian women ride bicycles! This number includes both road cyclists and mountain bikers.

To participate in mountain bike competitions, riders need to register with Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA), which is the peak national organisation for mountain biking.

MTBA covers a number of off-road biking styles, including cross country, downhill, observed trials, cross-country marathon and cyclocross. Currently, MTBA has over 15,000 members and 175 affiliated clubs nationwide.

The number of female MTBA members in 2017 was 2,481 – and this gives provides our initial baseline for female participation and interest in the sport of mountain biking. However, these membership rates do not adequately signify actual participation rates.

Although MTBA registration offers membership in categories such as: race, non-riding, recreation, public liability, value-add, free trial, family and day licenses – it is important to keep in mind that are still a number of riders who are/have not registered with MTBA who mountain bike – and that their participation would not be represented in these rates.

Many riders are registered,  but not all MTBers participate in competitions. In particular, these numbers do not include the account for many riders who enjoy mountain bike without participating in competitions.

How many Australians participate in mountain biking? Bicycles Create Change.com 31st August, 2018
WA Mountain Bike Strategy 2015-2010

The approach, definition and classification of mountain biking vary significantly between the individual states and territories. Such differences impact how data is analysed, where funding is allocated and how the sport is viewed (and represented) by each state’s governing body. This is an area that will be of concerted interest for the project I am working on.

Interestingly, Western Australia is the only state that has clear statistics on mountain bikers. The WA government published the WA Mountain Bike Strategy 2015-2020 to encourage more people to engage in mountain biking.  The report clearly states that the number of women who mountain bike is 14,400. 

However again, these results do not mean that each of those 14,400 riders engages with MTBA as a sport, but it does list that the top three reasons Western Australians ride mountain bikes is 1) for the outdoor experience, 2) for fitness, and 3) for socialising.

So initial investigations show mixed results about the rates of mountain biking registration and participation.

How many Australians participate in mountain biking? Bicycles Create Change.com 31st August, 2018
WA Mountain Bike Strategy 2015-2010

So far, my research has not yet confirmed the actual number of female mountain bikers in the whole of Australia – the rate is still unconfirmed.

One reason for this is that the definition of mountain biking is ambiguous.

Depending on what you read or what states/territory you are in, mountainbiking can be classified as a sport, as recreation, or as transport. This lack of consistency means that it can be difficult to compare data sets.

It is a challenge and a pleasure to be learning more about mountain biking in Australia – and I look forward to sharing more insights and findings as they arise.

I hope mountain biking is more recognised as a sport in the near future and that rates of participants will increase!

How many Australians participate in mountain biking? Bicycles Create Change.com 31st August, 2018
@RATSchicksride

Estimating the Cycling Economy in Europe

Many of us who ride know the inherent positive health, economic and environmental benefits of biking.

But it is always reassuring to have the hard facts to back it  up at the next dinner party you go to…so here is some ripper data from the EU  you can wave under the noses of any annoying your non-riders who pooh-pooh cycling’s economic contributions to society.

Estimating the Cycling Economy in Europe. Bicycles Create Change.com 31st July 2018.

Estimating the Cycling Economy in Europe

A report entitled The Cycling Economy in Europe was produced in 2013  by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF).

The ECF is a preeminent cycling advocacy group, whose work centres around progressing cycling via a range of themes including economic, policy, tourism, health and environment, technology and safety and infrastructure to name a few.

This report is interesting because from what it looks like, it was the first European attempt (definitely ECF’s first calculation) to monetise the internal and external benefits that come cycling in the EU-27 (EU 2007-2013 when it had 27 member states).

Download the report here: ECF Economic Benefits of cycling in EU-27.pdf

This report was based on:

  • Health benefits of cycling
  • Congestion-easing due to cycle use
  • Fuel savings due to cycle use
  • Reduced CO2 emissions due to cycle use
  • Reduced air pollution due to cycle use
  • Reduced noise pollution due to cycle use.

The ECF calculates the annual economic benefit of cycling in the EU-27 to be at least € 205 bn.

Estimating the Cycling Economy in Europe. Bicycles Create Change.com 31st July 2018.

Report Highlights

Here are a few highlights from the report as outlined in a presentation by Chloe Mispelon (ECF):

  • Current economic benefits of cycling are huge (over 500 billion € for the EU 28, more than 1000€ per inhabitant each year)
  • The economic potential is important as cycling modal share today is way below its mid XXth century levels in most EU countries.
  • Cycling economic benefits are spread over a wide range of fields making the case for cross-sectoral strategies on cycling at local, national or EU level
  • Lack of data prevents research to explore many other cycling related economic benefits

This report is ECF’s second calculation of the internal and external benefits of cycling linked to the current level of cycling in the EU-28. It is an extended and updated version of the first report published in 2013. The calculations have been updated with the latest available figures; in some cases, the methodologies for calculating the benefits have been refined taking into account the feedback received; and more benefits have been added in a systematic way.

So what are the estimates?

Summing up the calculated and estimated benefits of cycling in all these sectors, ECF arrives at the following aggregate figures:

Estimating the Cycling Economy in Europe. Bicycles Create Change.com 31st July 2018.

The present report clearly shows that the benefits of cycling occur not only in specific, isolated fields like transport or environmental policy, but in many other areas where the EU has competences as well, like industrial policy, employment, health and social policy.

An integrated EU cycling strategy that includes these fields and considers cycling in all relevant policy areas will therefore enable the whole EU to reap these benefits in the future, including the countries which currently have low rates of cycling.

In some areas, ECF identified benefits of cycling but were not able to give any calculation or estimation yet.

More qualitative and quantitative research is needed in those fields to quantify these benefit.

The aim of this report is therefore also to encourage further research on the subject in order to draw a more precise picture of the economic benefits of cycling in the future.

Estimating the Cycling Economy in Europe. Bicycles Create Change.com 31st July 2018.All images and data in this post come from ECF or the ECF”s Economic Benefits of Cycling in EU-27 Report.