@brielleharbin
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.
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...
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/...
Thank you for tagging me.
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
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
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...
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...
“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...
Thank you! 🙏🏽
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...
Thank you. It’s a super complicated time so I have a ton of mixed emotions but I did do it, ha!
This is a super interesting concept! Thanks for plugging, I’m def going to listen. I hope you are well, Emily. 😊
Thank you @drtolunoah.bsky.social , I appreciate you.
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...
So sorry to see you go! I have to read more about this. I hadn’t heard about the critiques. Thanks for flagging.
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...
Thanks for providing context! 😊
🕵🏽♀️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.
Context please?
This part. Thank you for sharing—this moment was really everything all at once.
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...
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...
“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...
“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...
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.
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.
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...
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...
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...
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.