Comments on: Information commissioner rules that university must release teaching materials http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364 Truth, falsehood and evidence: investigations of dubious and dishonest science Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:44:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: What actually gets taught on a homeopathy course: part 1 http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-5681 What actually gets taught on a homeopathy course: part 1 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:50:17 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-5681 [...] years after I first asked for teaching materials, the Information Commisioner ruled that all the reasons given for refusal were invalid, and they must be handed over. However UCLAN [...] [...] years after I first asked for teaching materials, the Information Commisioner ruled that all the reasons given for refusal were invalid, and they must be handed over. However UCLAN [...]

]]> By: Not much Freedom of Information at University of Wales, University of Kingston, Robert Gordon University or Napier University http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-4694 Not much Freedom of Information at University of Wales, University of Kingston, Robert Gordon University or Napier University Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:16:31 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-4694 [...] that I have made has been refused.  After three years of trying, the Information Commissioner eventually supported my appeal to see teaching materials from the Homeopathy "BSc" at the University of Central [...] [...] that I have made has been refused.  After three years of trying, the Information Commissioner eventually supported my appeal to see teaching materials from the Homeopathy "BSc" at the University of Central [...]

]]> By: University of Central Lancashire stops its alternative medicine degrees (or does it?) http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-3361 University of Central Lancashire stops its alternative medicine degrees (or does it?) Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:21:44 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-3361 [...] appeal to the information commissioner took almost two years to be judged, but the case was won. The eventual decision by the Information Commissioner rejected all the grounds that UClan had used to evade the Freedom [...] [...] appeal to the information commissioner took almost two years to be judged, but the case was won. The eventual decision by the Information Commissioner rejected all the grounds that UClan had used to evade the Freedom [...]

]]> By: David Colquhoun http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-2876 David Colquhoun Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:20:03 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-2876 georgeboy Actually when I enquired a while ago, I was told that it was already UCL's policy to make teaching materials available on request, and quite a lot are already publicly available. MIT make everything available as a matter of policy. That seems to be to be admirable. Science should be a public good. If anyone wants copies of the powerpoints etc. that are used on our course on <a href="http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Pharmacology/matrix.htm" rel="nofollow">Understanding Ion Channel Currents in Terms of Mechanisms</a>, they are welcome. If your materials are so good, their revelation will not bring ruin and disgrace, but acclaim and eminence. The only precaution I take is to give out slides as locked pdf files rather than powerpoint so if they are used by someone else, the origin is obvious. georgeboy
Actually when I enquired a while ago, I was told that it was already UCL’s policy to make teaching materials available on request, and quite a lot are already publicly available.

MIT make everything available as a matter of policy. That seems to be to be admirable. Science should be a public good.

If anyone wants copies of the powerpoints etc. that are used on our course on Understanding Ion Channel Currents in Terms of Mechanisms, they are welcome.

If your materials are so good, their revelation will not bring ruin and disgrace, but acclaim and eminence.

The only precaution I take is to give out slides as locked pdf files rather than powerpoint so if they are used by someone else, the origin is obvious.

]]> By: georgeboy http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-2875 georgeboy Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:31:34 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-2875 David. Are you being smart? I understand your desire to expose scientific charlatanism, soft science, Studies Studies and the whole gamut of therapies based on anecdotal evidence. Very laudable. However, the Law of Unintended Consequences will now kick in. As a colleague of yours at UCL, this means that the teaching material on our MSc will be available to the public FOR NOTHING. Even worse, it will be available to our competitors at King's!!! Ruin and disgrace may face us. Perhaps by straining at a gnat you've swallowed a camel. Collegial regards Georgeboy David. Are you being smart? I understand your desire to expose scientific charlatanism, soft science, Studies Studies and the whole gamut of therapies based on anecdotal evidence. Very laudable. However, the Law of Unintended Consequences will now kick in. As a colleague of yours at UCL, this means that the teaching material on our MSc will be available to the public FOR NOTHING. Even worse, it will be available to our competitors at King’s!!! Ruin and disgrace may face us.
Perhaps by straining at a gnat you’ve swallowed a camel.
Collegial regards Georgeboy

]]> By: Homeopathic Practitioners « Letting Off Steam http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-2827 Homeopathic Practitioners « Letting Off Steam Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:30:54 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-2827 [...] very reluctant to discuss course materials with those outside the club. David Colquhoun had to resort to the Freedom of Information Act to get hold of teaching materials for university homeopathy courses. When he did it turned out they [...] [...] very reluctant to discuss course materials with those outside the club. David Colquhoun had to resort to the Freedom of Information Act to get hold of teaching materials for university homeopathy courses. When he did it turned out they [...]

]]> By: Details of Quakery BSc to be revealed @ Foi News http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-2485 Details of Quakery BSc to be revealed @ Foi News Fri, 01 May 2009 21:04:02 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-2485 [...] Colquhoun’s blog on the case can be found here and the decision notice is here. Decisions S.36 (Prejudice to effective conduct of Public [...] [...] Colquhoun’s blog on the case can be found here and the decision notice is here. Decisions S.36 (Prejudice to effective conduct of Public [...]

]]> By: Slartibartfast http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-2484 Slartibartfast Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:27:05 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-2484 Good grief, I thought I was having a hard time after 2½ years with my FOI requests to DoH and MHRA. But 3 years! So very well done - the house of cards is crumbling. Actually I do think the section 41 exemption is pretty specious. Did the case study patients consent to disclosure to the students, and no doubt the students' families, flatmates, sexual partners and anyone else they might blab to? As we all know case studies are the only evidence homeopaths really believe so not surprising the materials were underpinned by them. Good grief, I thought I was having a hard time after 2½ years with my FOI requests to DoH and MHRA. But 3 years! So very well done – the house of cards is crumbling. Actually I do think the section 41 exemption is pretty specious. Did the case study patients consent to disclosure to the students, and no doubt the students’ families, flatmates, sexual partners and anyone else they might blab to? As we all know case studies are the only evidence homeopaths really believe so not surprising the materials were underpinned by them.

]]> By: Mat Iredale http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-2483 Mat Iredale Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:55:27 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-2483 A superb result David, well done. But how long will it be, I wonder, before new courses arise in slightly different and more subtle guises? The example of creationism re-emerging as 'intelligent design' comes to mind. This battle is won, but I doubt it will see the end of such pseudo-scientific degrees. Of course, I do hope that I am wrong. A superb result David, well done.

But how long will it be, I wonder, before new courses arise in slightly different and more subtle guises? The example of creationism re-emerging as ‘intelligent design’ comes to mind.

This battle is won, but I doubt it will see the end of such pseudo-scientific degrees. Of course, I do hope that I am wrong.

]]> By: Dr Aust http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-2472 Dr Aust Sat, 18 Apr 2009 01:02:15 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-2472 Hmm. Somehow I couldn't see DC accepting a gong from the Honours System...! Though I reckon he would do a good job as Lord Colquhoun... Hmm. Somehow I couldn’t see DC accepting a gong from the Honours System…! Though I reckon he would do a good job as Lord Colquhoun…

]]> By: Sili http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-2474 Sili Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:52:54 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-2474 Congrats! It's good to see the good guy win for a change. Someone please nominate dr Colquhoun (someday I'll learn to spell that without cheating) for a knighthood <em>tout de suite</em>, please. Congrats! It’s good to see the good guy win for a change.

Someone please nominate dr Colquhoun (someday I’ll learn to spell that without cheating) for a knighthood tout de suite, please.

]]> By: northerndoctor http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-2482 northerndoctor Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:26:03 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-2482 Yes, you've pretty much got it. The difference to Derby is that it is the full 5 year course at Lancaster (no grad course). I can't see much hope of a standalone UCLan med school - especially with Manchester having such a strong presence in Preston. As I am sure you know we have already had a few skirmishes in a mild turf war over student placements around that border area. Still, as you say, I take your point re 'resilient' degrees and UCLan are in the consortium so could well have ambitions to have med students there in some greatly expanded capacity. One might assume that a cull of quackery would only help. Yes, you’ve pretty much got it. The difference to Derby is that it is the full 5 year course at Lancaster (no grad course).

I can’t see much hope of a standalone UCLan med school – especially with Manchester having such a strong presence in Preston. As I am sure you know we have already had a few skirmishes in a mild turf war over student placements around that border area.

Still, as you say, I take your point re ‘resilient’ degrees and UCLan are in the consortium so could well have ambitions to have med students there in some greatly expanded capacity. One might assume that a cull of quackery would only help.

]]> By: Dr Aust http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-2481 Dr Aust Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:46:25 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-2481 Yes.. as I understand it, currently Lancaster is operating as a kind of "satellite" of the Liverpool Medical School (possibly with some undergrad lectures still "podcasted" from Liverpool..??). But an obvious development (especially if they are planning to expand) would be to go to a "standalone" Cumbria and Lancs medical/dental school, centred on Lancaster (and perhaps Preston) and breaking the link w Liverpool. As I understand it the current set-up is is a bit analogous to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Nottingham_Medical_School_at_Derby" rel="nofollow">Derby bit of the "Univ of Nottingham at Derby"</a>, while an independent set-up would be more like what <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keele_University_Medical_School" rel="nofollow">Keele</a> has done. Anyway, in a recessionary period, mainstream medical / health science / para-medical degrees are one of the more "resilient" bits of the degree market. So I can believe UCLan would be extremely keen to get into undergrad medical teaching, either in a full-scale coop venture with Lancaster or even on their own. UClan have new-ish Schools of Dentistry and Pharmacy training dentistry and pharmacy undergrads, so medicine is the only one they are lacking. BTW, currently the Royal Preston Hospital is a "clinical yrs satellite centre" of the <i>Manchester</i> Medical School, and runs yrs 3-5 of the Manchester course for about 100 students in each yr who are "based" in Preston. Yes.. as I understand it, currently Lancaster is operating as a kind of “satellite” of the Liverpool Medical School (possibly with some undergrad lectures still “podcasted” from Liverpool..??). But an obvious development (especially if they are planning to expand) would be to go to a “standalone” Cumbria and Lancs medical/dental school, centred on Lancaster (and perhaps Preston) and breaking the link w Liverpool.

As I understand it the current set-up is is a bit analogous to the Derby bit of the “Univ of Nottingham at Derby”, while an independent set-up would be more like what Keele has done.

Anyway, in a recessionary period, mainstream medical / health science / para-medical degrees are one of the more “resilient” bits of the degree market. So I can believe UCLan would be extremely keen to get into undergrad medical teaching, either in a full-scale coop venture with Lancaster or even on their own. UClan have new-ish Schools of Dentistry and Pharmacy training dentistry and pharmacy undergrads, so medicine is the only one they are lacking.

BTW, currently the Royal Preston Hospital is a “clinical yrs satellite centre” of the Manchester Medical School, and runs yrs 3-5 of the Manchester course for about 100 students in each yr who are “based” in Preston.

]]> By: northerndoctor http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-2480 northerndoctor Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:01:02 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-2480 UCLAN is part of the Cumbria and Lancashire Medical and Dental Consortium who are delivering undergraduate medical teaching (mainly <a href="http://www.lancs.ac.uk/shm/med/cme/medicine_mbchb/" rel="nofollow">based out of Lancaster</a>). The other partners in the consortium are Lancaster Uni, Liverpool Uni and the University of Cumbria. Although this is not a standalone 'medical school' yet and their involvement with undergraduates is currently limited they very much have their foot in the door. UCLAN is part of the Cumbria and Lancashire Medical and Dental Consortium who are delivering undergraduate medical teaching (mainly based out of Lancaster). The other partners in the consortium are Lancaster Uni, Liverpool Uni and the University of Cumbria.

Although this is not a standalone ‘medical school’ yet and their involvement with undergraduates is currently limited they very much have their foot in the door.

]]> By: James M http://www.dcscience.net/?p=1364&cpage=1#comment-2479 James M Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:22:00 +0000 http://dcscience.net/?p=1364#comment-2479 Well done indeed. How you find the energy to battle idiotic public bodies I'll never know, but I'm glad you do. Well done indeed. How you find the energy to battle idiotic public bodies I’ll never know, but I’m glad you do.

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