Intimidation factor is most often in a too visible authority and patronising attitude. Sometimes it's worth remembering that PhD students, especially in the humanities and social sciences, are often middle-aged people with lots of professional experience. I agree that AoIR is a welcoming association on-line and off-line. Cheers, Suzana At 11:32 AM 18/05/2007, you wrote:
I'm sure you're right, and it is regrettable. It does tend to suggest, however, that poor treatment of students probably isn't correlated with whether or not a list permits pseudonymity, and that the intimidation factor may well be negatively correlated. Best - Julie
-----Original Message----- From: air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org [mailto:air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Mary-Helen Ward Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:06 PM To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org Subject: [Air-l] students on lists
I know from my PhD project that many students feel quite inadequate in the presence of Real Academics. Whether they should or not is another matter, but many have been treated quite badly in academic forums (or seen other people so treated). It can be really difficult for them to trust these forums, and it sometimes doesn't take much to send them scuttling for cover.
This list always, in my experience, works hard to provide a safe and welcoming space.
M-H