Some more good news from us in regard to our sons: Alexander Rikowski, our eldest son, is now working (as from February 2012) at Guy’s New Hunt’s House Library, King’s College London as an ‘Information Assistant’.
This newsletter also includes information about 2 talks that Glenn gave fairly recently; his re-invigoration of Marxism and Education and related articles, and a Symposium on the work of Paula Allman.
All that and a number of other items, including a book by Adam Winger, which I commissioned for Chandos Publishing, are all included in this newsletter.
1. ALEXANDER RIKOWSKI CURRENTLY WORKING AS AN ‘INFORMATION ASSISTANT’ AT GUY’S NEW HUNT’S HOUSE LIBRARY, KINGS COLLEGE LONDON AND PREVIOUSLY WORKING AT THE IDEA STORE
Our eldest son, Alexander, is now working at Guy’s New Hunt’s House Library,
King’s College London, as an ‘Information Assistant’ (on a temporary
contract). He is loving the work and the academic environment there. Finally, he
is making his King’s degree work for him, it seems! Let’s hope that all this
continues.
Prior to this, Alex worked for a while as a Temp for the ‘Idea Store’, working with Victor at the Chrisp Street branch in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. And prior to that, and following on from his degree, he was a ‘Civil Enforcement Officer’, where he learnt a lot about conflict management, good team work practice and various aspects of traffic regulations and law. But not surprisingly the job became unsafe so it was time to move on!
2. SYMPOSIUM ON THE WORK OF PAULA ALLMAN HELD AT THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON ON 4TH FEBRARY 2012, AS PART OF THE MERD SEMINARS – MERD XVI
A Symposium on the work of Paula Allman (who sadly passed away last autumn
2011), in praise and celebration of her writings and publications took place at the
Institute of Education, University of London, on 4th February 2012. This was
run as a part of the MERD (‘Marxism and Education: Renewing Dialogues’)
seminars – MERD XVI. Paula, incidentally, spoke at the very first MERD (in 2002)
– see http://www.flowideas.co.uk/?page=events&sub=MERD
The Symposium was convened by Tony Green, Alpesh Maisuria and Glenn
Rikowski. Tony booked the room and filmed the events of the day (at the request
of Paula’s daughter); Alpesh took the bookings and Glenn invited the speakers and
also spoke himself.
There were some 20 odd people there – all people that clearly held Paula and her
work in very high regard. There were 6 speakers altogether and they all knew and
admired Paula, as well as highly rating and valuing her work. They were:
Morning Session:
Peter Mayo (University of Malta)
Helen Colley (University of Huddersfield)
Sarah Carpenter (University of Toronto)
Afternoon Session:
Margaret Ledwith (University of Cumbria)
Mike Neary (University of Lincoln)
Glenn Rikowski (University of Northampton)
Peter began the day, and gave a lot of interesting and useful background information in regard to Paula’s work and about Paula herself. In particular, he put her on the right road, helping her to get her first book published.
Then, Helen and Sarah in their talks, emphasised how much they valued Paula’s writing and how they used and were continuing to use Paula’s work and ideas in their own areas of writing and research and building on all of that. They had also both held reading groups on Paula’s work at their respective universities. In addition, in her talk, Helen emphasised the big influence that Glenn’s work has had on her.
In the afternoon session, Margaret took a general left/critical position and placed Paula’s work and influence within this. One of the topics she covered was child poverty.
Meanwhile, Mike’s talk was extremely intellectual, stimulating and alternative. This included Mike having a critical edge on Paula’s work itself. Mike praised her work but also felt that Paula saw the struggle as being something outside of the system, rather than something that we are all immersed in. Or as Mike and Glenn have expressed it on previous occasions – we all live and breath within the ‘social universe of capital’. In addition, Mike was not sympathetic to Paula’s pedagogy of love approach; thinking that it was too romantic, and that, instead, we needed a pedagogy of hate. Personally, I find this is a real strength of Paula’s work; she has great hope in humanity. I think if there was more love for humankind in general, we would all be much better off. But anyway, it was all very absorbing stuff and all makes for interesting debate.
People were very engaged with the whole day, and there was an interesting
discussion at the end. This was partly sparked off by Glenn’s talk, where Glenn
emphasised that Paula saw Critical Educators as people that should be gathering
and spreading the seed; spreading the wise words about revolutionary critical
pedagogy (a term that Paula coined) and many of the other ideas that were
encapsulated in Paula’s work. And in particular, as he said, it is important to make
the most of what Paula did in regard to understanding and summarising much of
Marx’s work and making it more easily accessible and readable to others. That was
certainly a real achievement on her part.
Glenn said, basically, that it was up to the people at the Symposium to get the ball rolling. But unfortunately, there were not any firm suggestions about how to take Paula’s work forward at the Symposium, no definite decisions were made and there were no firm commitments.
Hopefully in time, people will start to realise the importance of it all in a fundamental way and will start to take some more decisive action; such as the setting up of reading groups, modules, conferences, open discussions etc around Paula’s work.
Anyway, Glenn did what he felt was right in regard to making this
Symposium happen and helping to further increase awareness and knowledge about Paula’s work.
Leading on from this, there have been suggestions for publishing a book based on
the Symposium, with Sense Publishers and/or with Palgrave MacMillan.
After Paula retired she concentrated on getting her single-authored books published
above all else. She was very single-minded and determined about it all,
and that was a very wise decision, we think, particularly given the state of her
health. It was very important to her that she used her time sensibly and
productively.
I wrote a review article of Paula Allman’s little, but very important, book ‘On Marx’. The book was the first in Sense Publisher’s Series on ‘Key Critical Thinkers in Education’. This was published in Policy Futures in Education (Vol 6, No 5, 2008) and here is the link:
http://www.wwwords.co.uk/pdf/freetoview.asp?j=pfie&vol=6&issue=5&year=2008&article=11_Rikowski_PFIE_6_5_web
Paula’s ability to understand and summarise some of the key aspects of Marx’s work is incredible. In On Marx she does this for Marx’s Capital Volumes 1-3 and she says:
“This very brief but relatively comprehensive précis of Capital Volumes 1-3, Marx’s brilliant ‘outing’ of capital’s essence as well as the manifestation of this essence in the concrete reality of fully developed capitalist societies, should enable a brief consideration of capitalism’s culpability in some of the major problems facing humanity.” (p. 21)
But for me, the most inspiring part of her work revolved around the faith and love she had in humanity; her hope that in a world beyond capitalism people could be at one with their species being, be able to find fulfilment and self-expression and to realise their full potential.
In On Marx Paula says that:
“In future communist/socialist societies, infinite humanisation would be a major objective, fully supported such that individuals would be able to develop all the potentials of which there were capable.” (p.62)
But also in referring to being human she has this to say:
“What it means to be a human being and for all people to be able not only to live as human beings but also to be able to develop their potentials more fully is also at stake, but then it always has been.” (p. 66)
So, it will all require a lot of thought and effort, but is something that is very worthwhile, well vital, in my view, if we are ever to live together in a really decent, civilised and humane way.
And finally at the end of On Marx she says that:
“The ultimate intent is to prepare people to become committed to and engaged in the process of humanisation through the struggle for revolutionary self and socio-economic transformation.” (p. 67)
Yes, indeed – becoming really human and becoming at one with our species being.
And then, as Marx says, we can be in a world where people can live:
“From each according to her/his ability to each according to her/his need.”
3. PETER MCLAREN’S UK TOUR IN 2012
Peter McLaren, who is now Professor of Critical Studies in Education at the University of the Auckland, New Zealand, did a tour of the UK at the end of January/beginning of February 2012. He gave talks on Critical Pedagogy at the University of Limerick, Ireland; Middlesex University (as part of a one-day conference on ‘Critical Pedagogy/Critical Education’), Anglia Ruskin University and the Institute of Education, University of London.
4. GLENN RIKOWSKI’S KEYNOTE SPEECH AT ASTON UNIVERSITY, BIRMINGHAM
As part of what Glenn has called his ‘Comeback Tour’ he gave a Keynote Address at the International Professional Development Association Conference last November 2011, which was held at Aston University, Birmingham. The Conference topic was ‘Learning: a public good or a private commodity?’ and Glenn’s talk was entitled ‘Higher Education in Crises of Capital and Labour’. For more information see:
http://rikowski.wordpress.com/2011/07/06/international-professional-development-association-conference-2011/
5. GLENN RIKOWSKI’S GUEST LECTURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON – ‘LIFE IN THE HIGHER SAUSAGE FACTORY’
Leading on from this, and continuing with the ‘Comeback Tour’ Glenn gave a guest lecture at the University of East London, to the Teacher Education Research Group. This was on the topic of ‘Life in the Higher Sausage Factory’ (inspired by a Marx quote of course!), and was held on 22nd March 2012. Glenn wrote a 15,000 word paper (approx), which will probably go on our website at some point. There were some 20 people there, the talk went well, and there was a lively and interesting discussion following on from it all.
6. GLENN RIKOWSKI’S ONLINE ARTICLES ON ‘MARXISM AND EDUCATION’ – ALL LISTED ON HIS BLOG.
Glenn has listed all of his online publications on ‘Marxism and Education’ and
inserted them on his blogspot. So, they are all in one place now, which he is very
pleased about. Here is the link:
http://glennrikowski.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/marxism-and-education%20works-by-glenn.html
At some point he also intends to put material that he wrote some 30 years ago
(whilst he was at Warwick University) on our website, so that will also be added to
the list. Then, there will be a full historical picture and record!
7. GLENN RIKOWSKI’S RE-INVIGORAION OF ‘MARXISM AND EDUCATION’
Glenn has, indeed, done so very much to re-invigorate Marxism and Education as a topic. He was first inspired by the whole subject when studying for his PGCE at the Institute of Education, University of London, in the mid 1970s. This led on from our joint enthusiasm for Marxism when we were undergraduates. Not liking capitalism and wanting to find a better way of living and operating, Marxism provided us with hope and inspiration.
With some of his writing colleagues Glenn has argued and wrote ‘for’ Marxism and ‘against’ Post-Modernism. He brought many to Marxism and Education for the first time, enthusing and inspiring them, brought others back to it, and made the whole topic more ‘respectable’ and popular in general.
Leading on from all of this, and summarising many of the developments that have taken place from the 1970s to present on the topic, particularly in regard to Marxist Educational theory, Glenn wrote a paper and gave a talk for the 4th Historical Materialism Annual Conference. This was held on 9th-11th November 2007, in the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. The paper was entitled ‘Marxist Education Theory Unplugged’. This is also now available on our website.
And it is Marxist Educational Theory that Glenn has really developed and will continue to develop. We need to adapt and develop Marx’s work (and not treat it like the Bible), and make it relevant for capitalist life today. Only by such means can we really hope to move beyond this sick, money-making and exploitative world: to move towards a world beyond capitalism. And so, Glenn’s project for the last 30 years has been to do this in regard to Education specifically.
8. COMMISSIONING ADAM WINGER TO WRITE A BOOK FOR CHANDOS PUBLISHING - ‘DEVELOPING ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: FROM THE GROUND UP’
Last autumn I commissioned Adam Winger from the Stevens Institute of Technology, USA, to write a book for Chandos Publishing, which he is making good progress with, with his co-author Trevor Alvord from James Madison University, USA.
The book is entitled: Developing Archives and Special Collections: From the ground up.
8. COMMISSIONING ADAM WINGER TO WRITE A BOOK FOR CHANDOS PUBLISHING - ‘DEVELOPING ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: FROM THE GROUND UP’
Last autumn I commissioned Adam Winger from the Stevens Institute of Technology, USA, to write a book for Chandos Publishing, which he is making good progress with, with his co-author Trevor Alvord from James Madison University, USA.
The book is entitled: Developing Archives and Special Collections: From the ground up.
Below is some further information about the book – extracts from the Advanced Information (AI) Sheet that Chandos circulates. As the AI says, the book traces the moving from a disorganised archive to an ‘integrated digital presence’, so in this way, it encompasses some of the areas that are covered in my ‘Digitisation Perspectives’ book.
I wish Adam and Trevor every success with their book.
“Archives and special collections organize rare books, manuscripts, and unique objects. They must at once process and preserve special materials, and make these accessible to the public. Developing Archives and Special Collections details the strategies and obstacles in moving from a relatively disorganized archive, reminiscent of an attic, to an organized and robustly integrated digital presence, detailing the process of developing an archive, from inception to completion….”
Key Features Include
· gives a model for developing an archive from the ground up, into a digital presence
· provides practical applications that include processing concepts, basic conservation, digital collection tools, and marketing ideas
Contents Include
Introduction: History of the Stevens Family and the Institute; The history and state of the archives; Conceptualizing an action plan
Gaining Intellectual Control: Discovering the collection; Conceptualizing organization; Planning for action
Processing: Physically arranging the collection; More Product Less Process; Basic materials preservation
Description: Using description standards; Accessioning ; Creating finding aids and container lists
Digital Collections: Creating digital collections; Diversifying digital collections; Creating a web of digital collections
Partnerships, Marketing and Outreach: Innovative thinking in partnerships to achieve your goals; Developing advocates for your library; Making your work visible.”
9. ‘FREUDIAN CRISIS IN THE MODERN ERA’ BY GREGORY RIKOWSKI, ON OUR ‘FLOW OF IDEAS’ WEBSITE
Our youngest son, Gregory, has been taking a lively interest in the work of the Freud family recently, and in Psychology and Psycho-analysis, in general. Leading on from this, he wrote a piece which he entitled ‘Freudian Crisis in the Modern Era’, and this is now on our ‘Flow of Ideas’ website. See:
http://www.flowideas.co.uk/print.php?page=402&slink=yes
He has uncovered a lot of important stuff here, particularly in regard to the propaganda/public relations work of Edward Bernays (the nephew of Sigmund Freud), who is someone that Glenn and I had never heard of before. One is always learning, eh!
And ‘Wonder’ – a poem which Gregory wrote whilst in attendance at Victor’s ‘Creative Writing’ course at the Idea Store is also now on our website. See:
http://www.flowideas.co.uk/print.php?page=403
Finally, Gregory is currently doing some voluntary work in Westminster Libraries – yes, the library tradition in the Rikowski family continues….This is bringing a smile to all our faces!
10. 2 NEW SONGS BY VICTOR RIKOWSKI UP ON YOUTUBE AND REMIXES OF SOME ‘COLD HANDS & QUARTER MOON’ NUMBERS (working towards an album)
Victor has 2 new songs up on YouTube.
The first is ‘The Lamb’ which is a poem by William Blake that Victor has put to music. The whole mix is by him. Victor originally wrote this (a simplified version) when he was in the 6th form (17 years old), studying for his A’ Levels at Havering Sixth Form college. It is lovely to see that he has now returned to it, and turned it into a really beautiful song.
‘THE LAMB’ BY WILLIAM BLAKE – SONG WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY VICTOR RIKOWSKI (based on words from Blake’s poem)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw3VloKBvZc
The second is ‘Winter Sheets’
‘WINTER SHEETS’ BY VICTOR RIKOWSKI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8_p0NB9mcU&list=UU4t-CXndjFAh1fPBsZOR8qA&index=2&feature=plcp
There are also some remixes of some of the ‘Cold Hands & Quarter Moon’ numbers. These include:
'Human Herbs' - a new remix and new video by Cold Hands & Quarter Moon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au-vyMtfDAs
'Stagnant' - a new remix and new video by Cold Hands & Quarter Moon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkP_Mi5ideo
11. 4 NEW ENTRIES ON MY ‘SERENDIPITOUS MOMENTS’ BLOG
There are 4 new items up on my ‘Serendipitous Moments’ blog:
http://ruthrikowskiim.blogspot.co.uk/
These entries are: information about the Symposium on the work of Paula Allman, ‘The Freud Exposure’, ‘The Woman in the Fifth’ and ‘Life in the Higher Sausage Factory’.
12. 5 COPIES OF MY DIGITISATION BOOK IN LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND BOOK BEING USED AS A CORE TEXT
I was pleased to discover that there are no less than 5 copies of my ‘Digitisation Perspectives’ (Sense Publishers, 2011) book in London South Bank University Library.
Dr Dieu Hack-Polay has been using the book (but just his own chapter) as a core text on the ‘Strategic International HR’ module that he teaches on. Dieu is a colleague of mine and contributed a chapter to the book, at my invitation.
13. BOOK REVIEWS OF ‘DIGITISATION PERSPECTIIVES’ IN ‘CILIP UPDATE’ AND ‘MANAGING INFORMATION’
A great review of ‘Digitisation Perspectives’ edited by Ruth Rikowski Sense Publishers, 2011 was published in CILIP Update, January 2012, p. 38. The review is by Dr Christopher Walker, Researcher and Lecturer in the Faculty of Arts, Environment and Technology, Leeds Metropolitan University. Walker concludes his review saying that the book “…offers information professionals and students an excellent starting point, in a readable, accessible form…”
Monica Blake also provided a thorough review of the book for Managing Information (Vol 18, Iss 10, 2011, p.56).
Best wishes,
Ruth
31st March 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment