Katie's Notes

An academic blog by a linguist specialising in qualitative healthcare research & medical humanities

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education

  • Carry On

    I have placed a framed photograph of my late grandfather on my work desk at home. I often talk to him as I work on my research. He was a schoolteacher, but at the age of 30, he entered medical school and, by 40, became a neurosurgeon. Soon afterwards, in the 1950s, he chose to read more

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    Carry On

  • Sunflowers at the end of the academic year

    It has been an exceptionally busy period since January, but at the same time, both productive and enjoyable. What truly brightens my heart now is a bouquet of roses and sunflowers I received from my students after our final class, accompanied by a beautiful message card. On the day I received the flowers, they were read more

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    Sunflowers at the end of the academic year

  • Reflecting on the first year of my postdoc

    Today, exactly one year has passed since I defended my PhD thesis. Here’s a brief reflection on my first year of postdoctoral life.   Teaching through a screen There is a lot to consider about online teaching for the 2020–21 academic year. One particular aspect was that virtual teaching highlighted various difficulties some students were read more

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    Reflecting on the first year of my postdoc

  • Wrap up of the final year of my PhD

    This year has brought a lot of tough, new challenges, one after another. I am very grateful that my family and I have been able to stay in good health and have normal lives, apart from staying home. Despite all the difficult circumstances during the ongoing outbreak, as a PhD student, I was able to read more

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    Wrap up of the final year of my PhD

  • The first book chapter

    My thesis corrections were approved. I submitted the final version and concluded my PhD at last! I’ve taken an exciting step in research. I was invited to serve as an editor on an academic book early this year, and I have submitted a manuscript for one chapter. My former supervisor is the lead editor, and read more

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    The first book chapter

  • Teaching motivation returned

    I stay in touch with some of my students from the last academic year who went back home across countries. It’s nice to hear about how they’ve managed to continue to study at home. We discuss useful books and how they study in their online modules. One student told me that the pandemic situation is read more

    Teaching motivation returned

  • The joy of teaching

    The classes for the autumn semester started, and I am back in teaching. Meeting a new group of students was a true pleasure, all the more after a long summer break. Due to greater demand for beginner levels, I am teaching the first level of Japanese. This has turned out to be a good opportunity read more

    The joy of teaching

  • Time to say goodbye to a really nice class

    I’m at a very early stage in my teaching career. I’ve been working as a teacher of Japanese while doing my PhD for three years now. Most of us teachers have to deal with the same emotions. It’s a sad feeling when we have to say goodbye to classes we really like. In January this year, read more

    Time to say goodbye to a really nice class