Thokozani Chilenga-Butao

AI-based fake papers are a new threat to academic publishing As an editor, I am receiving submissions from spurious authors consisting of previously published papers altered by AI. But why, asks Seongjin Hong

Opinion: As the associate editor of a scientific journal, I am receiving submissions from spurious authors consisting of previously published papers altered by AI. But why, asks Seongjin Hong
#academicsky #academicpublishing

‘He further revealed that the lecturers disregarded UCT’s examination policies by opening stickers containing student names while marking scripts, a violation of standard procedures meant to ensure impartiality.’

sundayworld.co.za/news/uct-lec...

I’m currently at the International Political Science Association (IPSA) conference in Seoul.

What I appreciate most about this gathering is that I see where my work fits into a global body of work.

I’m glad I came and that I’ve found good communities of practice.

🎓Higher Education🎓
Regional social mobility under threat as universities ignore local applicants for London admissions

Report by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) highlights prominent geographical disparities within the university admissions process
theboar.org/2025/06/regi... #academicsky #edusky

Universities need to ‘redefine cheating’ in age of AI Widespread use of new tools has ‘blurred lines’ between academic support and misconduct, study finds

Widespread use of new tools has ‘blurred lines’ between academic support and misconduct, study finds

#highered #AcademicSky

How South Africa debunked Trump's 'white genocide' claim Podcast Episode · DW AfricaLink · 27/05/2025 · 26m

Last week, I had the opportunity to comment on the Oval Office press conference between Trump and Ramaphosa. Some of my analysis is on the DW Africa Link podcast.

Thank you to Deutsche Welle for getting South African perspectives on this debacle.

podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/d...

a woman is looking out of a car window with the words " you sure " written below her Alt: a woman is looking out of a car window asking- “you sure? " written below her

When you submitted an article for review so long ago, you really have no recollection of the article to which the publisher is referring to. 😢
#AcademicSky

Me neither. I’m reading people’s reviews and glad they enjoyed the film. But I cannot do horror films.

I was AFRAID after watching Get Out, and stopped watching thrillers and horrors long before that.

I value my sleep and my peace.

2 out of 3.

That’s the proportion of students in my course who submitted faked information in their annotated bibliography assignment this week. #EduSky #AcademicSky

1/n

…without properly understanding our context.

Or literature that shapes broad generalisations of the African context for generations to come.

AI is not the step into the future that people think the Humanities needs.

And we won’t keep quiet about it or be shamed into accepting it uncritically.

So it’s interesting that academics in the global south are (once again), literally fighting a machine that allows students to bypass understanding of differences in governance & public administration in our context.

We’ve seen this before where large amounts of research are written about us…

Secondly, AI is antithetical to the Humanities because it reveals bias in the information it currently carries and in the way that it frames the information.

I’ve seen this in the course I teach, which is rooted in South African literature on governance & public administration.

And this could be a a by product or systemic within AI. We’ll all be able to tell soon enough.

In the greater scheme of things, anti-intellectualism means accepting a status quo, or the changing nature of systems without questioning them.

And historically, that’s never been good.

Firstly, AI is deeply anti-intellectual. And anti-intellectualism is fast becoming the problem of our times.

Humanities relies on learning about why processes, institutions & issues occurred, criticism and healthy debate. AI doesn’t equip students for this level of learning or understanding.

The fundamental clash between artificial intelligence and teaching the humanities AI is ultimately anti-humanities. It is extremely broad, yet shallow. It is anti-reading, anti-writing, anti-complexity. It does not encourage individuals to think critically or write creatively.

I enjoyed this article about why AI is dangerous in the Humanities. It speaks about serious problems with AI, against the tide of people telling academics to ‘embrace’ AI as a teaching tool. I have two more reasons why AI is dangerous for Humanities.

www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/...

DEI in Academia Podcast Episode · Academic Aunties · 12/03/2025 · 56m

The issues raised here resonate with me as a black South African academic.

Although SA doesn’t have DEI, it has ‘transformation’ processes that are equally responsible for changing representation & inclusion in various institutions, including higher ed.

podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/a...

Call for Papers: The Politics of Climate Change Resilience in Africa.

Seeking papers critically examining intersection between African local communities, trade unions, govts & institutions in responses to climate change.

Deadline: 30 May 2025.

bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/gsc/view/jou...

Fear of exposure because I’m not about to let you know what I don’t know about what the kids are saying these days 🤣

One of the highlights of my week was my postgrads explaining a popular saying for me. I told them I Googled it but still couldn’t find the meaning.

They explained the origin, context and proper use of the term 🥲 Without (obvious) judgement 😭

#AcademicSky #Blackademics

I've just received an invitation from my university's events team to lead a bid to host an international conference. I note that there was not mention of payment for my work in bringing this income to the university. #academicsky

Today is the first day of my undergrad and postgrad teaching this year.

Does anyone know if the nerves ever go away, even after years of teaching? 🥲

When I ask some colleagues they say no, the nerves are normal until until.

There is more to be said about who is compliant & why. But for now I’ll say this:

If the burden of further compliance is on academics & people whose work generally goes unacknowledged, you’ll have a worse problem in future. It will be systemic, but caused by constantly & unfairly shifting issues.

An important lesson I learned this week: don’t mistake non-compliance with system difficulties. Some people will *never* use a system, no matter how simple, because they don’t want to.

Instead of coddling & shifting the burden of more compliance on to those who *always* comply, fix the real issue.

Trump blaming that tragic plane crash on DEI, reminds me of people in South Africa who say everything inefficient is due to BEE (a version of affirmative action).

Unfortunately, some people believe that you’re only working hard when you work in positions that fit their perceptions of you.

SMH.

It’s not a coincidence that the POTUS entered politics by questioning the birth place of former POTUS Obama, and now seeks to remove birthright citizenship in the USA.

This is absolutely abominable.

And it seems this was the goal from the beginning.

What other politricks are at play here?

We're recruiting!

Join History at the University of Glasgow (the best History dept in Scotland and one of the best in the UK) as a lecturer (permanent post, research and teaching) in Asian history 1500-2000.

Please share with suitable candidates.

www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/lecturer...

Trump’s Greenland bid is really about control of the Arctic and the coming battle with China Trump’s bid to buy Greenland is partly based on security concerns about Chinese and Russian access to the Arctic.

Trump’s bid to buy Greenland is partly based on security concerns about Chinese and Russian access to the Arctic.

#china #trump #buygreenland #arctic

Will chicken be VAT-free soon? The government is considering adding chicken products to the list of VAT-exempt food items due to the rising cost of living.

Will chicken be VAT-free soon?

I wish I could memorise the names of students. Over the past few years, I’ve taught anything between 150 and 250 students per semester. So it would be difficult for me to do so.

I only learn the names of the ones who come for consultations, email, participate in lectures etc.