Dr Zara Bain
@zaranosaur.bsky.social
3.8K followers 2K following 2.6K posts
Some kind of philosopher | mama of toddlers (yes, plural) | disabled, chronically ill and neurofuntimes | professionally tired | founder and director of disabled-majority transcription and closed captioning social biz @aat-transcribes.bsky.social | goof
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Reposted by Dr Zara Bain
citizenhelene.bsky.social
Smashing the patriarchy in cucumber form
Reposted by Dr Zara Bain
bisk.sureis.sexy
fuck off with this shit you racist cunts.

i forgot the word "tumbledryer" the other day so i called it a tumbley bumbley and english is my only fucking language.

abolish the home office.
Changes to the English language requirement were first reported in May when the government published their early plans in the immigration white paper. The new standard requires people to express themselves “fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expression” and to be able to communicate flexibly in social, academic and work situations.
Reposted by Dr Zara Bain
voteclimateuk.bsky.social
🚨 We've breached our first climate tipping point. A final, stark warning after the world smashed through 1.5C in 2024.
www.independent.co.uk/climate-chan...

😶 The news was met with radio silence from Keir Starmer.

✅ Tell Labour to put climate first to win your vote: VoteClimate.uk/register
The world has reached its first climate tipping point
Milestone signals stark new reality for the planet – and raises the alarm about impending catastrophes
www.independent.co.uk
zaranosaur.bsky.social
I don’t know who was responsible for last year’s smashed cucumber salad with soy sauce and other things seasoning but thank you
zaranosaur.bsky.social
One of our recent ideas for support has been offering a short training for students and support workers on obtaining transcription support for disabled PGRs and why AI based solutions shouldn’t be the first line response, but we’re not sure how helpful it might be
zaranosaur.bsky.social
I might pop you an email as I run such a company and we’re disabled led and disabled majority, that okay? There’s a fair chance we might already be an approved supplier too
zaranosaur.bsky.social
how fascinating, thanks so much for coming back to me on this Harriet. I know of one PhD student who got funding for transcription but I don't know the source of it. I also suspect if HEIs are on the hook they'll be pushing AI-based solutions despite data privacy issues
Reposted by Dr Zara Bain
harrietcannon.bsky.social
In the weird world of DSA, HEPs have been responsible for funding standard note-takers, PAs and other 'Band 1 and 2' support workers since 2016/17. There is still funding available for specialist note takers, STTRs etc but only in specific circumstances. And none of it aligns with AtW!
Reposted by Dr Zara Bain
harrietcannon.bsky.social
Nope, tried this for a couple of the PhD students I work with and DSA would not agree. It's considered a cost that is the responsibility of the HEP, like note-taking and PA support (page 62 of the Practitioner Guidance www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/2131/d...)
www.practitioners.slc.co.uk
zaranosaur.bsky.social
Have any of you successfully secured transcription costs via DSA as part of your PhDs?
Reposted by Dr Zara Bain
justinhendrix.bsky.social
The push to maximize productivity is at the heart of the current rush to adopt AI, writes Tech Policy Press fellow Eryk Salvaggio, but that doesn’t mean it’s useful. “On a social scale, productivity gains that don’t lead to pay raises, or lead to layoffs, are not productivity gains at all.”
Generative AI’s Productivity Myth | TechPolicy.Press
People may be using artificial intelligence, but that doesn’t mean it’s useful, writes Eryk Salvaggio.
www.techpolicy.press
zaranosaur.bsky.social
Got none of those either but I am quite out of the game between the babies and the biz. Last years job apps feel like a fever dream
zaranosaur.bsky.social
no worries at all, definitely check out the rest of the thread for some good suggestions too (mostly white cis het dude centric but such as it usually is)
zaranosaur.bsky.social
This is tomorrow! Come hang out with me and @inigopurcell.bsky.social and get shit done!
aat-transcribes.bsky.social
Ready to reignite your focus?

From Tues 14 Oct, join our new Spark Sessions: 50-minute online co-working designed for researchers who are exhausted by hustle culture and just need a space to get things done.

These sessions are open to all academics.

Only £5 or pay-what-you-can. Book your slot!
Spark Sessions: Virtual Co-Working Spaces for Tired Researchers
Unapologetically pro-disability and intersectional virtual co-working sessions designed to give you the time and space you need to get your sh*t done.
funnels.academicaudiotranscription.com
zaranosaur.bsky.social
What else might be helpful, whether as a training or resource, for researchers and academics who are also possibly in the market for, or in networks in the market for, transcription and captioning?
zaranosaur.bsky.social
We've thought about offering some free trainings on how to secure funding and grants for transcription support, especially in light of the British Academy ECR Seed Fund thing the other week
zaranosaur.bsky.social
I'm working on a short 30-40 minute free/low cost accessibility training where we look at just ONE THING people but especially academics and those in education can do to improve accessibility, with more details to come
zaranosaur.bsky.social
Right, talk to me:

I want to know what you'd like from me and the team at @aat-transcribes.bsky.social as a freebie or offer under £10 that might add value either in the context of transcription or closed captioning OR in addition to it.
zaranosaur.bsky.social
(I still miss teaching)
zaranosaur.bsky.social
flashed back to the time when “what’s a good intro philosophy book?” was one of my specialist subjects, how times have changed
zaranosaur.bsky.social
otherwise Stephen Law (who was my BA tutor and whom I tutored for for years) has a fairly classic set of banger texts in his Philosophy Files/Gym books, and also, crucially, also try and source Action Philosophers who I’m surprised to learn are still going! www.actionphilosophers.com
Action Philosophers!
The award-winning comic book series - now as a free webcomic!
www.actionphilosophers.com