iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Katharine Childs

Nicola Looker @nicolalooker.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

🎓 Introducing The CERcle: a round table for computing education researchers. @katharinechilds.bsky.social and I are relaunching our PhD meetup as a monthly online space where PhD students, postdocs & academics in CER talk honestly about doing research. Thu 17 Sept, 6pm BST - DM to join!

The CERcle invite: Our first meeting will take place on Thursday 17th September 2026 at 6pm (BST) and will be a round robin to talk about your research, recent conferences and your goals for this academic year.

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Our next online #CSEdR Student meetup is on Thursday 18th June, 2026 from 6 - 7pm (BST). We'll be exploring qualitative data analysis together, as well as thinking ahead! DM @nicolalooker.bsky.social or me to be added to the invite.

An advert for the meetup with the same information as the post

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Had a wonderful day today at Hardwick Hall participating in a writing retreat. So much work done, and still so much to think about!

A picture of me in front of Hardwick Hall

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

I'm halfway to my participant target for my PhD research into teaching physical computing - thanks to everyone who has expressed interest so far! There's still a few spots available to take part and you can sign up here: uofg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

uofg.qualtrics.com

Teaching Physical Computing at Key Stage 2

Apply to participate in research to explore how teachers support student cognition in physical computing activities

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

KS2 teachers in England 👋 Do you teach programming using micro:bit, Crumble, or Raspberry Pi Pico? I’m looking for teachers to take part in a 30–40 min online interview for a research study on physical computing in primary classrooms. Apply here: uofg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

An information graphic explaining details about the research study. It also shows a group of children at a computer, and some ethical details about participation.

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

This month at our #CSEdR Student Network meetup, we'll discuss habits and practices for note-taking and share tips and ideas together. 📅 Thursday 16th April at 6pm (BST / UK time) 📍 Online - Message me or @nicolalooker.bsky.social for the link #CSEdResearch

An advert for the meetup with the date, time and topic

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

It was a pleasure to present the first paper from my PhD work today at WiPSCE 2026. Massive thank you to everyone who encourages me and supports me!

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Lots of noise at WiPSCE as we all got an alarm test on our phones - a new conference nightmare to navigate #wipsce2026

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Day 1 of WiPSCE was epic. Lots of interesting talks, and we finished the day in the Infosphere lab tinkering with physical computing devices #Wipsce2026

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

I know I've unlocked a new level of academia now I've just sent my first ever "just a gentle reminder" email for an event this afternoon.

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

📣 Calling all #CSEdRStudent researchers! Our next online meetup is Thursday 19th Feb at 6 pm GMT (UK time) This month’s theme: Open Research — with insights from Laurie Gale 🔍✨ Message me or @nicolalooker.bsky.social to be added to the calendar invite.

An advert for the meetup which states the date, time and topic.

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Reposted by Katharine Childs

Peter EJ Kemp @peterejkemp.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

🎯 New open access paper: What do school websites signal about computing and who it is for? Using document data (n = 960), we examine how schools frame computer science in public-facing materials, and what that might mean for gendered participation. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

tandfonline.com

Marketing computing: how school branding reinforces or challenges gender stereotypes

This paper examines how school branding and policy may shape gender disparities in computing education. Wong et al. explore how schools portray computing in brochures, websites and related material...

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

The WiPSCE program is out and it just got very real that in March, I will be presenting my first published work from my PhD! www.wipsce.org/2026/program...

wipsce.org

WiPSCE 2026

The 20th Conference on Primary and Secondary Computing Education Research

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Any recommendations for new computing education or CSEd research accounts to follow following the latest exodus from the dark side?

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

New blog: I've written about what postgraduate study is like through the lens of metaphors, from my own experiences of being on a quest, to conceptual metaphor theory and how metaphors can shape and transform our thinking. #PhD #PhDLife #CSEd wp.me/pfetPC-c9

wp.me

The Power of Metaphor in Postgraduate Research

The stories we tell ourselves about our research journeys can transform our experience If you’ve ever described your PhD as “climbing a mountain” or “navigating uncharted wa…

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Been to see the Christmas lights at uni. There are graduations happening here today - it's very inspiring to think that one day that will be me!

The cloisters at the University of Glasgow

A Christmas tree outside the University of Glasgow

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Our last #CSEdR Student Network meetup for 2025 will be on Thursday 11th December at 6pm GMT. This is a Christmas online social which will be very relaxed. Bring your own festive drink and Christmas jumper if you want. Please message me or @nicolalooker.bsky.social for the link.

An advert for the meetup with the date, time and theme plus some Christmassy images

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

I'm very much enjoying a daily research integrity pause for thought with this excellent advent calendar!

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Reposted by Katharine Childs

Jo Wolff @jowolff.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Absolutely delighted to have my first piece of work from my PhD studies accepted as a full paper for WiPSCE 2026! 🎉

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Collaboration in an international research team isn’t just about exchanging drafts. It’s about mutual learning, respect, and generosity. My new blog explores what that looks like in practice. csed.phd/2025/10/30/i...

csed.phd

International Collaboration in Academic Research

It’s 7 am in the UK, and as I wake up with a cup of coffee and check my phone, I notice several messages from colleagues who are just finishing their workday on the other side of the world. I…

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Reposted by Katharine Childs

ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social @ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

How to scare a researcher!

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Reposted by Katharine Childs

Dr Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel @drckt.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

I have recently updated my "Time Management and Study Skills For Students" resource. It comes with slides for teaching and activities for students. Feel free to browse and use: sway.cloud.microsoft/BysO9ChOrHMQ...

sway.cloud.microsoft

Time Management & Study Skills For Students

One of the biggest challenges with learning is to get organised and to stick with a healthy study routine. It is easy to feel overwhelmed. In Level 2 Psychology we introduced Time Management & Study S

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Are you a postgraduate student in computer science education research? Join us for the next CSEdR student meetup! A friendly space to connect, share ideas and support each other on the research journey. 📅Thursday 16th October, 6pm (BST) 📍Online DM me or @nicolalooker.bsky.social for the link

A graphic advertising the meetup with the theme Qualitative Research Methods

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

I'm already fed up of articles that talk about GenAI tools "writing" code. GenAI tools generate code based on predictive models. The art of writing (code) includes processes such as refining, testing and evaluating.

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Reposted by Katharine Childs

ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social @ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

#RoadsignforResearch What research can feel like at times - slow. What writing can feel like. It can be frustrating at times but research and writing take time. You are not a slow writer. It just takes time to produce high quality writing.

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Our last #CSEdRStudent Network online meeting before the summer break will be all about analogies and metaphors! We'll take a playful and creative look at how to describe the doctoral journey. Join us online on Thursday 17th July from 6pm - 7pm - DM @nicolalooker.bsky.social or me for the link.

An advert with the date, time and theme of the meetup

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

All set for the first talk at the LHI Expo, and it's @rpcerc.bsky.social up first!

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Today I am reminded of the benefits of a ten-minute walk, feeling the warmth of the sun and the power of the wind on my face.

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Reposted by Katharine Childs

Institute for Advancing Computing Education @csedresearch.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Be a part of the dialogue and bridge the gap between research findings and classroom practices with the #CSEd Discussion Group! For more details on each week's topics, visit us at buff.ly/3Ww0Mrs

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Reposted by Katharine Childs

ACM Education and Learning Center @acmeducation.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

26 June, join @felienne.bsky.social (@vuamsterdam.bsky.social), creator of #Hedy & author of "The Programmer's Brain" (@manningbooks.bsky.social) for the #ACMTechTalk "Programming for All: A Feminist Case for Language Design." @markguzdial.bsky.social will moderate. Register: bit.ly/3Z8F4LO

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Why kids still need to learn to code in the age of AI: a new position paper argues it's more important than ever. This blog from the Raspberry Pi Foundation shares 5 key arguments. www.raspberrypi.org/blog/why-kid... #AIEdu #CSForAll

raspberrypi.org

Why kids still need to learn to code in the age of AI - Raspberry Pi Foundation

Our new position paper sets out five arguments for why we think that kids still need to learn to code in the age of artificial intelligence.

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be an AI literate postgraduate student. I put together some thoughts in a blog post: csed.phd/2025/05/17/a.... It's not a how-to guide, more like a reflection on what it means to use generative AI tools critically, responsibly, and with curiosity.

csed.phd

AI literacy for postgraduate researchers

The rise of artificial intelligence powered tools is influencing research work across many disciplines. But with these new tools come new responsibilities. For PhD students navigating the shifting …

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

🔍 How are researchers using generative AI in their work? This survey shows there is still a long way to go to reach consensus, based on the diversity of views and practices.

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Reposted by Katharine Childs

Nature @nature.com · 14/05/2025

What do you think of this behaviour? We asked 5000 researchers their thoughts on using AI in peer review and writing papers. Let us know what you think: www.nature.com/immersive/d4...

A blue card that reads:
Consider this scenario:
Dr. Bloggs asks ChatGPT (or another generative AI tool) to write their research paper, based on some outline points they want it to make. They use the AI’s response as a first draft.

They edit this draft.

They don’t disclose that they used AI.

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Reposted by Katharine Childs

Nature @nature.com · 15/05/2025

📢 Calling PhD students 📢 we want to hear from you! Help shape the future of PhD education. Take our survey to tell us all about your experiences go.nature.com/43iJAsi

go.nature.com

PhD students in STEM: Nature wants to hear from you

Buried in lab work or drowning in data? Take a break and help shape the future of PhD education.

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Reposted by Katharine Childs

ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social @ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

#WritingResources: This is an essential resource for academic writers. The Uni of Manchester Phrasebank is a great source of stock phrases. buff.ly/3ebzfFG #PhDchat #ECRchat #postdoc #gradschool #SUAW #PhDforum

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

I went to my very first virtual writing retreat today! Two hours of supported focus time to work on tasks related to writing, which is more than just about word count. Super grateful for the sense of momentum it generated.

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Trialling working from a coffee shop for some of my PhD time to see how that affects my productivity. The results after an hour are pretty good but there may be some confirmation bias in that statistic :)

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

There is no feeling that I love better than that of being absolutely consumed by research. I sat two hours ago to work on something and just this minute looked up thinking about 40 minutes had passed.

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Reposted by Katharine Childs

ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social @ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

#PhD students, #postdocs and #supervisors should have a discussion about expectations before they commit to the relationship. Use this form to start the discussion. Download free from: buff.ly/2KvPcoZ #PhDchat #ECRchat

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

What I'm reading on #WorldBookDay: it's a classic text that I return to time and again to understand foundational ideas in my field. Today I'm reading a particular chapter on cognitive sciences.

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Reposted by Katharine Childs

Susie Dent @susiedentwords.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Etymology of the day: ‘book’ comes from an ancient root shared by ‘beech’, a wood that people used for engraving inscriptions. ‘Paper’ comes from ‘papyrus’, and ‘volume’ is from the Latin for a ‘roll’ of parchment. Happy World Book Day.

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

When anyone asks me why sound methodology and research methods are so important, I will reach for this study.

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Katharine Childs @katharinechilds.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Today I've been experimenting with Miro to mind map ideas from my research and help construct an argument. My takeaway so far is that it can easily add to cognitive lead, so: - drawing on paper first helps - I need to use the tool very simply to avoid distractions (such as stickers!)

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