Todd Farrell
@toddfarrell.bsky.social
My 'professional', seldom-used account now on the Bluesky. Views my own etc. Senior Tutor UniMelb. PolSci PhD. Part-time performer. Obscure references in ppt slides complete me.
I too am tired of GenAI, but one unintended effect is universities have to actually reckon with what they are teaching and it's revitalised education-focussed folk.
I've been on the edges of APSA's Teaching and Learning Caucus when it was like, 4 people in a room. At the last APSA, it was 40.
I've been on the edges of APSA's Teaching and Learning Caucus when it was like, 4 people in a room. At the last APSA, it was 40.
January 6, 2026 at 3:06 AM
I too am tired of GenAI, but one unintended effect is universities have to actually reckon with what they are teaching and it's revitalised education-focussed folk.
I've been on the edges of APSA's Teaching and Learning Caucus when it was like, 4 people in a room. At the last APSA, it was 40.
I've been on the edges of APSA's Teaching and Learning Caucus when it was like, 4 people in a room. At the last APSA, it was 40.
Reposted by Todd Farrell
Academic reviews paper citing a paper “by” reviewer that doesn’t exist. Discovers a version of the nonexistent paper in Google Scholar cited 42 times, including by a “metaanalysis”, that “gold standard” of research. The paper does not exist. Nobody citing it could have read it as it does not exist.
Closing out my year with a journal editor shocker 🧵
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
December 20, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Academic reviews paper citing a paper “by” reviewer that doesn’t exist. Discovers a version of the nonexistent paper in Google Scholar cited 42 times, including by a “metaanalysis”, that “gold standard” of research. The paper does not exist. Nobody citing it could have read it as it does not exist.
Education Focussed Academics: How do you deal with December? I am absolutely shattered and trying desperately to do anything of productivity and failing hard.
December 19, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Education Focussed Academics: How do you deal with December? I am absolutely shattered and trying desperately to do anything of productivity and failing hard.
Although I've got that post-semester cold/flu, stumbled in to End of Year drinks masked-up and was thrilled to get an Honourable Mention for SSPS Teaching Excellence in Tutoring. This is student-nominated so I am so thankful for my students for putting me forward :)
December 3, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Although I've got that post-semester cold/flu, stumbled in to End of Year drinks masked-up and was thrilled to get an Honourable Mention for SSPS Teaching Excellence in Tutoring. This is student-nominated so I am so thankful for my students for putting me forward :)
I'm manning the desks at APSA this year before my talk. If I'm honest, the semester has taken its toll and I'm definitely feeling it, but really cool to welcome folks to University of Melbourne and introduce them to the joys of trying to find the George Loughlin Room in BioSciences 4 :)
November 25, 2025 at 7:13 AM
I'm manning the desks at APSA this year before my talk. If I'm honest, the semester has taken its toll and I'm definitely feeling it, but really cool to welcome folks to University of Melbourne and introduce them to the joys of trying to find the George Loughlin Room in BioSciences 4 :)
When I am in the throes of marking, I hyperfocus on a specific song for each semester. This time around it's Wham's 'A Ray of Sunshine' BUT specifically the version they performed on The Tube in 1983.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQnI...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQnI...
Wham! - A Ray of Sunshine (Live from The Tube 1983)
YouTube video by WhamVEVO
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:56 AM
When I am in the throes of marking, I hyperfocus on a specific song for each semester. This time around it's Wham's 'A Ray of Sunshine' BUT specifically the version they performed on The Tube in 1983.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQnI...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQnI...
Academia is knowing who the guy in the box seat to be the Dutch PM is because you've been tracking him in your database of Queer MPs for 2 years and recognise his name.
October 30, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Academia is knowing who the guy in the box seat to be the Dutch PM is because you've been tracking him in your database of Queer MPs for 2 years and recognise his name.
While my colleagues are doing great work as the semester winds down, I'm going to start writing up my qualitative analysis of my case study next week.
Which coffee is the best at Melbourne Uni Parkville? Watch this space!
Which coffee is the best at Melbourne Uni Parkville? Watch this space!
October 27, 2025 at 12:10 AM
While my colleagues are doing great work as the semester winds down, I'm going to start writing up my qualitative analysis of my case study next week.
Which coffee is the best at Melbourne Uni Parkville? Watch this space!
Which coffee is the best at Melbourne Uni Parkville? Watch this space!
Great two days as part of the @auspsa.bsky.social Teaching and Learning Workshop on Digital Transformation. I spoke about the incoming assured assessment policy at UniMelb and some early adoptions and challenges. All I got was this artistic photo at the lifts, but amazing talks all around :)
September 12, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Great two days as part of the @auspsa.bsky.social Teaching and Learning Workshop on Digital Transformation. I spoke about the incoming assured assessment policy at UniMelb and some early adoptions and challenges. All I got was this artistic photo at the lifts, but amazing talks all around :)
I honestly think this is something we should remind our students about the power of curiosity.
From STRANGE ÆONS on YouTube (www.youtube.com/@STRANGEONS)
From STRANGE ÆONS on YouTube (www.youtube.com/@STRANGEONS)
July 31, 2025 at 4:59 AM
I honestly think this is something we should remind our students about the power of curiosity.
From STRANGE ÆONS on YouTube (www.youtube.com/@STRANGEONS)
From STRANGE ÆONS on YouTube (www.youtube.com/@STRANGEONS)
First week back after three weeks in Europe and not gonna lie fam, the weather in Melbourne has really got to me.
July 25, 2025 at 7:02 AM
First week back after three weeks in Europe and not gonna lie fam, the weather in Melbourne has really got to me.
Getting sick before I even started marking is just not fair.
June 12, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Getting sick before I even started marking is just not fair.
I wonder if all the Governor's get together and pity Tasmania's Governor over like canapes because they seem to be the only one who has to semi-regularly work out who should be governing the state.
June 10, 2025 at 1:10 PM
I wonder if all the Governor's get together and pity Tasmania's Governor over like canapes because they seem to be the only one who has to semi-regularly work out who should be governing the state.
Update: I finally got the 4 of diamonds. It was a bit of an asterisk as they knew in the end I was missing a diamond, but I'll take it.
Update. I am missing 1 card and I've become a bit obsessed with trying to get the 4◇. Never even seen it in others folks' hand (and I have been looking).
Most UniMelb academics: "I got this paper finished :)"
Me: "I managed to get 44/54* cards at House of Cards in a single semester :)"
I enjoy coffee and gamification, so of course I kept track.
(There's two jokers I think; I got one of them).
Me: "I managed to get 44/54* cards at House of Cards in a single semester :)"
I enjoy coffee and gamification, so of course I kept track.
(There's two jokers I think; I got one of them).
June 5, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Update: I finally got the 4 of diamonds. It was a bit of an asterisk as they knew in the end I was missing a diamond, but I'll take it.
So glad I always make sure to calculate ENPs/v with the Coalition separated
May 20, 2025 at 2:32 AM
So glad I always make sure to calculate ENPs/v with the Coalition separated
I know I'm a little bit of a pop culture nerd but when demonstrating neoliberalism at its peak, little surprised not a single student had heard of Family Ties. Yes that's how my mind works.
May 14, 2025 at 8:29 AM
I know I'm a little bit of a pop culture nerd but when demonstrating neoliberalism at its peak, little surprised not a single student had heard of Family Ties. Yes that's how my mind works.
To see every surviving Prime Minister sing the praises of @antonygreenelec.bsky.social is truly a testimony. Especially as a queer man who has watched every ABC broadcast since 2010, I (and many more) am absolutely gutted to not have him for future elections.
May 3, 2025 at 1:29 PM
To see every surviving Prime Minister sing the praises of @antonygreenelec.bsky.social is truly a testimony. Especially as a queer man who has watched every ABC broadcast since 2010, I (and many more) am absolutely gutted to not have him for future elections.
The Don's Party have decided Annabelle Crabb is wearing a hot water bottle and I cannot unsee.
May 3, 2025 at 11:46 AM
The Don's Party have decided Annabelle Crabb is wearing a hot water bottle and I cannot unsee.
James McGrath clearly has looked at my research paper on political drinking games.#AusVotes
May 3, 2025 at 11:44 AM
James McGrath clearly has looked at my research paper on political drinking games.#AusVotes
If I had to sum up why the LNP lost in an image, culture wars and nuclear.
May 3, 2025 at 11:43 AM
If I had to sum up why the LNP lost in an image, culture wars and nuclear.
This is unprecedented in federal politics for a first term government to gain. Earliest I can find is 1943* when Curtin took over on the floor of parliament in 1941ish. Please correct me.
#ausvotes
#ausvotes
May 3, 2025 at 11:19 AM
This is unprecedented in federal politics for a first term government to gain. Earliest I can find is 1943* when Curtin took over on the floor of parliament in 1941ish. Please correct me.
#ausvotes
#ausvotes