Me too. AoIR has a lot or friendly, helpful and humble people on the list. I feel the need to say though, at the risk of getting into trouble, that sometimes I read an email and feel that I shouldn't get involved in the discussion. And it aint that anyone's claiming to be a top expert on the topic, or that only academics in the specific field are allowed an opinion, but just by the fact that an email is signed off with a Dr or Prof in front of the name of the author, or that the email ends with a list of the author's credentials. I'm not "put off" by the discussion or have negative feelings about the email's author, and the author hasn't set him or herself up in a way that is not welcoming of a response, but there's a little voice in my head that says "Dr or Prof said such-and-such, so don't say anything". And I know that this issue is mine and only mine, and that only I have put that little voice in my head, but I think many students like me also have that little voice. I also fail to see the benefit of placing that Dr or Prof in their email signature, and wonder why people do it (are they encouraged by their university or bound by a protocol to do so?). paul teusner -----Original Message----- From: air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org [mailto:air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Suzana Sukovic Sent: Friday, 18 May 2007 12:03 To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org Subject: Re: [Air-l] students on lists 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

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