In a recent Guardian article I read that this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos female participation rose from a devastating 15% to intensely unacceptable 17%. Please keep in mind this year’s focus was on equality and integration.

After I was done being appalled, I thought about what ...]]> Estimated reading time: 1 minute

In a recent Guardian article I read that this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos female participation rose from a devastating 15% to intensely unacceptable 17%. Please keep in mind this year’s focus was on equality and integration.

After I was done being appalled, I thought about what the public actually sees from such events. We don’t see all the participants moving about, talking about the weather, the latest austerity package or whatever the cool kids talk about at such events. What the public gets to see are live streams of panel discussions and press conferences, and we see things like the list of speakers that is made available on the WEF website.
I’m not sure if this list is actually exhaustive but it is what is shown to us lowly internet users.

I wanted to know how serious the organisers were about ‘equality and inclusion’ and started to play around with the numbers. The list of things one could do with them is endless but I tried to focus on a few central ideas and made a flowchart to illustrate the depressing truth.

The total number of speakers was 355 at the time I started my research, 19% of those were women.
Now, take some time and let these number sink in for a while…

(click to enlarge)

While it may be absolutely true that I have miscounted some numbers but I really don’t think that it would make a grave difference.

I’ve not yet done the same for the men of the event but from what I could see, equality and inclusion seems to be a pipe dream.

Have you ever tried finding a website that properly explains how to read and understand academic texts? There are three kinds: a) Those that discredit themselves visually and belong in the internet-museum. b) Those that are written like academic texts and therefore render themselves completely redundant from the start. c) Those ...]]> Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Have you ever tried finding a website that properly explains how to read and understand academic texts? There are three kinds:
a) Those that discredit themselves visually and belong in the internet-museum.
b) Those that are written like academic texts and therefore render themselves completely redundant from the start.
c) Those that put you to sleep before you… ZZZZZ.

There is no shame in not knowing how to read academically, even though the lack of online information on this topic might make it seem like that. Effective academic reading is a skill, and no one is born with it. I’d like to bring some light into this neglected corner of the internet for the sake of everyone who struggles with it, in a way that everyone can understand, because I believe that knowledge should be accessible for everyone, and not just for the elite. This is actually why we all struggle with academic texts in the first place; because people write like they don’t want anyone to read or understand it. There are exceptions, of course, and I do hope you will become one of those.

Now let’s get to it. When you’re first confronted with any type of academic text, you might feel overwhelmed. Don’t worry, that’s normal. We all know that feeling all too well.

Rule #1: Don’t panic!

No, really. Panic turns your brain into this big solid block of wood, and how many trees have you seen read an academic paper lately? Instead, just take a breath and think about that tub of ice cream that waits as a reward if you get through this*.

Rule #2: Notice the cover
Don’t just jump into the text without taking note of the title and the author’s name. Know what, and especially whom you’re reading. This is a much-overlooked step, but taking the time to do this now will help you a lot later on.
You’ll read other books and articles that mention a theory or movement and you’ll be all, “Hey cool, I’ve heard of this”. Remembering the title and the author will help you piece together the big picture in the long run and it will make future research easier. It’s worth it.
Reading the title has another advantage. It tells you what the whole thing is about in the shortest possible way. It will have at least a keyword by which to remember the article or book.

Rule #3: At first, just skim
Skim over the text once. I know, it’s tedious to read anything more than once, but it’s better than realising in class that you have no idea what it’s about and having to read it again.
In the beginning skimming will probably make you feel like you’re trying to hypnotise yourself. No worries. It takes some practise but you’ll be able to do it soon enough. Look for keywords, things that pop up a couple of times in a paragraph, or words in capitals. Look at graphs and illustrations too.
It helps if you split up the text into digestible chunks. This way you don’t make your brain flatline after page 4. Go for a couple of paragraphs, until the next headline etc. Then take a short break and look away from the paper or screen. It helps if you just look into the distance for a few seconds to relax your eyes and then go back to skimming over the next few paragraphs.
While skimming mark those keywords. Over time you’ll develop your own system, but until then you’ll have to experiment a bit. Use colours and different kinds of pens to work out what works best for you. I’m not a fan of neon markers, but that’s another blog post right there.

Rule #4: Remember what you already know
Now that you have a bit of an idea what the text in front of you deals with think about what you already know about the topic. Most likely that won’t be a lot at first. But maybe some of the keywords already ring a bell, and you can take a moment to remind yourself where you’ve heard it before and what it meant back then (it might have a different meaning in the context of your current reading material). This will help you with associations while reading. The more you know about a topic, the easier it will be to piece together all the little things you’ve read to one big picture.

Rule #4a: Wikipedia is your friend
Yes, I mentioned the unmentionable. While I don’t encourage you to use Wikipedia as a source, it can be a great study help. Sometimes, when I start out on a new topic, I look up the most prominent or important keywords. Chances are they will be defined in the text, but if you have an idea about what those words generally mean, it will be easier for you to form your own opinion on the topic. Critical thinking is important. Don’t be afraid of using Wikipedia. You’re not using it as a credible source, just to form a general idea. Keeping that in mind just read the overview or the first paragraph and then force yourself to move on to the next keyword. It’s easy to get lost otherwise.

Rule #5: Useless advice is being useless
Most guides will tell you right about now to have a goal, some type of question that you want to find an answer to while reading. Don’t do that. Just ignore them all. I will explain why this is bullshit in another blog post some time later. For now, just please trust me that it only makes sense for people writing their thesis. Sometimes. Maybe. So don’t do it.

Rule #6: Go slow and have fun
Now this is the hard part. This is where you’ll need all the brains you have. But you can make it fun, and afterwards it’s ice cream time. Promised.
Compared to the hypnotisingly fast reading in step 3, this will feel like you’re crawling a marathon on your knees. Keep in mind, it is not a race and everyone else’s knees are bleeding too. Go as slow as you need to.
Again, split up the text, don’t read it all at once. I like to go from headline to headline or from argument to argument. Most articles and books will make it easy to find a stopping point. Just read. And after you’re done with one part, go back and make your annotations. This way, you’ll actually go over it one more time (and with a bit of practice you’ll even be able to do it in one go). Again, use colours and different kinds of pens. I like coloured pencils and the classic Stabilo fineliners. Underline, circle, draw, mark, write on the edges – whatever works for you. Sometimes crossing out a sentence can be immensely satisfying. There are NO rules. Whatever works for you is best.
We learn best when we’re having fun doing it. I like meeting new people, and to me reading is just that. I’m getting to know the author. It’s a conversation, not a monologue. Interrupt him by writing things on the side. Ask her questions, and let them know when you agree and when you disagree. Explain why.
You’ll find that you will have much more fun this way and you won’t fall asleep by page eight.

Rule #6a: The road is paved
While reading you’ll want to keep an eye out for things that will help you understand arguments more easily.
Try looking for structure. You don’t have to forge your own way through the jungle. Usually, authors will tell you what is going to happen, then go into detail, and sometimes even summarise it.
Look for specific phrasing
• indicating opposites: on the one hand/on the other hand, but, however,…
• indicating structure: firstly, secondly etc., most importantly, to summarise, furthermore,…
• indicating the arc of an argument: the main point, reasons, examples,…
All of this will help you tell the important things from the filler stuff.

Rule #7: Reward time!
As promised, now it’s ice cream time. You’ve managed to get through it and you deserve a reward, so don’t skimp on it. Remember to take regular 5-Minute-breaks while reading too, and keep hydrated. Nobody can study with a prune for a brain.

I hope this will help you get through your required reading lists from now on. I’m always curious about feedback. Was I able to help you? Do you want to add something or share your own tips? Don’t hesitate to contact me if you’re struggling with something else I can give you advice on.

*It can be vegan if you’re into that sort of thing. I love vegan maple pecan ice cream, but it’s ok if you want to reward yourself with a decent burger.

Photo Credit:
Title photo: (c) 2007 Hashir Milhan
Trees: (c) Death to the Stock Photos
Ice Cream: (c) Ian Britton FreeFoto.com