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Brielle Harbin

@brielleharbin.bsky.social

322 followers 196 following 117 posts

Political scientist and education consultant who helps individuals and organizations create work and learning spaces where people feel they belong, confidently and competently talk and cooperate across difference, and thrive.

Posts Replies Media

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

This week on Notes From a Work Friend, I share a strategy that’s helped me lead deeper, less draining class discussions even in charged political climates. Fall semester still feels so far away, but it's closer than we think. Here’s a tool to help. #HigherEd open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

Why We Can’t Afford to Wing It With Class Discussions Anymore

The problem with letting student dialogue “just happen” and what to try instead.

Reposted by Brielle Harbin

Derek Bruff @derekbruff.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

We have a fantastic new collection on the UVA Teaching Hub curated by @brielleharbin.bsky.social! It's called "From Class to Community: Centering Trust in Learning Spaces," and it features half a dozen great resources on fostering collaborative learning. teaching.virginia.edu/collections/...

teaching.virginia.edu

From Class to Community: Centering Trust in Learning Spaces — UVA Teaching Hub

<p>A collaborative classroom doesn’t happen by accident; it's created by design. Use these tools to lower resistance, foster trust, and help students learn with one another rather than just from you.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Thank you for tagging me.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Most stories about leaving academia come from people who’ve already made the leap. But what if you’re still in the in-between? Not ready to leave.  Not sure you want to stay.  Just... questioning. I wrote about that space for The Professor Is In: 👉 theprofessorisin.com/2025/05/05/o... #EduSky

theprofessorisin.com

On the Fence About Academia? You're Not Alone - Guest Post - The Professor Is In

Post 1 of 4 by M. Brielle Harbin, Ph.D. Brielle Harbin, PhD, is a tenured faculty member, an award-winning educator, and the founder of Your Cooperative Colleague LLC, a consulting practice that suppo...

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

What can Game of Thrones teach us about ChatGPT in the classroom? In my latest post, I make the case that AI is in its "dragon moment"—and what that means for us as educators. 🐉 Spoiler-free, promise. 😎 notesfromaworkfriend.substack.com/p/mother-of-... #edusky #highered

notesfromaworkfriend.substack.com

Mother of Dragons Meets ChatGPT: Can Faculty Learn Something from Daenerys?

Happy Wednesday, work friends.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

What if your final review session wasn’t just for students… but for your research too? 🧠 What started as a way to cut down on “What do I need to know for the exam?” emails from students has become something that helps me generate research questions. 📚 Read more: open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

Here’s how to design an effective final review session that could help your research too.

Happy Wednesday, work friends.

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Often, doing less is more meaningful. For example, in this easy-to-replicate exercise, students learned more about me and the course material at the same time. #edusky open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

Bridging the Generational Gap Between Us and Students in Our Classroom

Happy Wednesday, work friends.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

“What does it look like to put my oxygen mask on first and make sure that I’m okay while also acknowledging the reality that my everyday efforts are impacting what will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for my students?” notesfromaworkfriend.substack.com/p/this-is-th...

notesfromaworkfriend.substack.com

This is the only undergraduate education our students will ever get

Happy Wednesday, work friends.

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Thank you! 🙏🏽

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

I’ve learned through experience the power of sharing your story. So many of us have them. What part of your story is worth owning and sharing to help yourself and others? You can read my latest work published this morning below. #edusky open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

Owning Your Story in Academia

Happy Wednesday, work friends.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Thank you. It’s a super complicated time so I have a ton of mixed emotions but I did do it, ha!

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

This is a super interesting concept! Thanks for plugging, I’m def going to listen. I hope you are well, Emily. 😊

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Thank you @drtolunoah.bsky.social , I appreciate you.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

I was promoted & awarded tenure last week! 🎉Help me celebrate by subscribing to the Substack I created to prompt conversations that help make academia a better place from the inside. I write about teaching, writing, etc thru the lens of media & pop culture. #edusky open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

Notes From A Work Friend™ | Brielle Harbin, Ph.D. | Substack

For educators interested in bridging differences in university spaces, building cooperative work and learning communities, and overcoming overwhelm and burnout. Click to read Notes From A Work Friend™...

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

So sorry to see you go! I have to read more about this. I hadn’t heard about the critiques. Thanks for flagging.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

My latest post discussing the rollback of diversity and equity policies in higher ed is now live. In full transparency, it’s getting harder to keep writing every week but I know it will be so important to have documented this moment for future generations. #edusky open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

What's in a Name? The disagreement dividing people committed to diversity and inclusion work

Happy Wednesday, work friends.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Thanks for providing context! 😊

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

🕵🏽‍♀️I’m currently writing a book about what we can learn about the social production of political reality using terms like woke. My take is not this.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Context please?

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

This part. Thank you for sharing—this moment was really everything all at once.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

My latest blog is now live on Substack! In it, I use social media responses to Kendrick Lamar’s recent Super Bowl performance to analyze how this quintessentially American experience—the Super Bowl—made the value of higher education so obvious. open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance is a reminder of the importance of social sciences and humanities courses in higher education. Here’s how.

Happy Wednesday, work friends.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Teaching any topic related to government or politics is tough right now. There’s no “best way” to show up—we’re all just doing what we can. In my latest blog post, I describe a strategy I’m using to maintain connection with my students despite everything. open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

Use This Low-Stress Strategy for Maintaining Classroom Community in Tumultuous Political Times

Happy Wednesday, work friends.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

“I’m fighting the urge of escapism. Instead, I keep asking myself what this moment requires of me—what it will require of us?” My latest Notes From a Work Friend substack release is now live. I appreciate every ❤️, 💭, & ♻️. #EduSky open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

I’m an educator who’s feeling nervous and uncertain. Read this if you are too.

Happy Wednesday, work friends.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

“I’ve failed enough at creating community in this context to offer others valuable insights into what it takes to get this right.” In case you missed it, my latest blog post on creating classroom community is now live! #edusky #classroomcommunity open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Yes, yes! Our classes not being the priority was the hardest reality for me to embrace. I had to really get honest with myself & admit that it’s a privilege to be able to devote all your attention to reading and kicking around ideas. That was my college experience but isn’t modal by any means.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Oh, reading that quote hits hard (even though I wrote it). 😅 If only our intent and will to do this right were the only thing that mattered. Thank you for engaging and sharing. I appreciate it and hope it helps others.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

My latest blog post is live! For my colleagues thinking about the importance of classroom community this semester: I describe an easy assignment you can use to “read the room” and use the info to build a cooperative learning community. #edusky #collegeteaching open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

Knowing students’ names is important, but figuring this out is a game-changer for building classroom community.

For educators building work and learning spaces where people productively collaborate across differences, feel they belong, and can thrive.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Did you know that in 2023 the U.S. Surgeon General described loneliness as an epidemic in the United States? In my latest blog post, I describe how to create the writing community you want and need. Check it out and share if the ideas resonate. #academicwriters open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

So You Want to Be a Part of a Thriving Writing Community?

What You Need to Know to Have the Experience You Both Want and Need.

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Totally agree with the sentiments here. I wrote a related piece that builds on this point by adding that being explicit actually helps instructors because it reduces educators’ stress levels and overall well-being. open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

Faculty Members Making Our Expectations Explicit to Students Can Actually Reduce Our Workload and Enhance Our Well-Being

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

I recently migrated to Toggl after FocusBooster closed. I much prefer FB because I sometimes forget to stop my timer but It’s the next best thing for sure.

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

My latest Substack post is now live—check it out! In it, I discuss the importance of community for faculty members and educators. It takes work that isn’t often formally rewarded but it can make the difference between surviving and THRIVING in academia. #edusky open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

Community is not just important for our students. We need it too.

On intentionally investing in community-building in 2025.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

Happy (almost) new year! I’ve gained new followers over the last week & want to plug the substack I created w/ weekly tips for building & maintaining university learning and work spaces where people feel they belong & can thrive. You can subscribe for free! #edusky notesfromaworkfriend.substack.com

notesfromaworkfriend.substack.com

Notes From A Work Friend | Brielle Harbin, Ph.D. | Substack

Weekly tips and strategies for college faculty, staff, and administrators who want to create work and learning spaces where people feel they belong, confidently and competently talk and cooperate acro...

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

This time of year can be complicated—both personally and professionally. In my latest blog post, I describe the end of semester ritual I created for processing the semester and leaving the unhelpful behind. End of semester blues are real and require our attention. open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

How My End-of-Semester Teaching Reflection Practice Improved My Mental Health as a Faculty Member

Happy Wednesday, work friends.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Happy Wednesday all! My latest post from my Notes From a Work Friend newsletter is now live! 💡In it, I build on a LinkedIn post I wrote last week about review sessions & offer three principles for designing similarly constructive sessions in any discipline. open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

Designing More Effective Final Exam Review Sessions

It’s final exam season for many faculty members.

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Me too. I’m definitely writing something. I look forward to your perspective!

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Whew, this one. I didn’t expect to feel both triggered and delighted when opening Bluesky and clicking a post this morning. This piece is so important. Especially, the recognition that individual stories should not distract us from the structural issues that allow them. A must read.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

In case you missed it yesterday. The grading purgatory is real this week!

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

My new blog post will likely resonate with many of you: tackling grade grubbing at the end of the semester. ❤️ or ♻️ and subscribe to receive my free newsletter to your inbox each week! notesfromaworkfriend.substack.com/p/my-strateg...

notesfromaworkfriend.substack.com

My Strategy for Tackling End-of-the-Semester Grade Grubbing

It pays to be proactive rather than reactive when designing courses.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

I’ve seen quite a bit of conversation about AI ethics that has focused on student cheating and intellectual property but not AI sweatshops in East Africa. This reporting by 60 minutes is a must watch. youtu.be/qZS50KXjAX0

Training AI takes heavy toll on Kenyans working for $2 an hour | 60 Minutes

YouTube video by 60 Minutes

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

I’ve had very similar experiences, which is why I always share that I’m a doctor & when I say I’ve read up on something, I’m not talking WebMD expert. Still had to pay 2k out of pocket last year for a routine dental procedure after years of only needing cleanings twice a year. The greed is real.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

My latest Notes from a Work Friend blog post is now live! In it, I discuss a common pain point for college faculty members: students doing the assigned reading. Check it out! If you find it useful 💭 , ❤️ and ♻️ so that others can read and engage! open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

How Our Ideas About Teaching (For Good or Bad) Affect Student Learning

Good morning, Work Friends.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Love that this is making the rounds again right now. Cadence in writing is so important. The academic genre of writing can make it difficult, but I try my best to use it.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

And the smell. The citrus and spice combo of ginger and bergamot. It took other work too, but sitting down to write was becoming joyful. I was able to begin processing all the writing anxiety I started feeling in grad school and channel the little girl in me that wrote stories and poems. 5/7

Selfie of me smiling in the camera with my dog Chance

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Let me tell you, when I decided to wake up at 6am for morning writing sprints, the crackling wood wick was everything. The background music to my writing practice was a crackling fire. Yes, 6am was A LOT but I loved the feeling of accomplishment after my morning writing power hour) 4/7

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

This was Covid times so I had lots of time to learn about candle wax, vessels, and candle throws. I started experimenting and found myself excited to write as I centered my writing around a morning ritual of hot tea and one of my own candles. This is Rise and Write, my very first candle. 🕯️ 3/7

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

I actually started with puzzles, but didn’t enjoy it. Then coloring, same thing. I got to candle-making after I started treating myself to candles when I met writing goals. Several gave me migraines. I pivoted to essential oils and candle-making. I started creating my own blends. 🥰 LOVED IT 2/7

Two puzzle boxes stacked on one another.

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Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Thank you for sharing! I hope it helps as many people as possible.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

My latest blog post describing an activity I used to guide students to discover where they were unclear about course concepts and do something about it. Should be useful for wrap up class sessions. Subscribe to receive my free weekly posts directly to your inbox! open.substack.com/pub/notesfro...

open.substack.com

The Power of Pausing on Student Learning

Happy Wednesday, work friends.

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

This is 100% love language to a frazzled academic’s heart. Love it! ❤️

Brielle Harbin @brielleharbin.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

This is 💯 love language here. Love this for you!! Sending well wishes on your writing goals!

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