Maths has Marcus, science has Susan, but lucky old human geography has Danny. The Dorling of the left brings statistics to life for his students at Sheffield University as well as for his many readers.
Today sees the publication of Fair Play, a post-mortem on New Labour, in which Dorling demonstrates that increased spending on schools really did raise standards and widen university intake.
While Dorling wears his political heart on his sleeve, he is not above a little polished diplomacy. Here, in his wonderful interview with Martin Wainwright (@mswainwright), he brings a little comfort to much-maligned university leaders:
"The most disconnected of the UK's elites is the judiciary. The most connected are the vice-chancellors, who have had to work hard and be generally engaged to win appointment."
In an exercise in academic transparency, Dorling has made all the data he used in his book available online. Consult the Guardian datablog for details.
More education news from the Guardian
• We're awash with brilliant stories today. Here's a gem: knitting is cool. In primary schools. Among boys. Favourite patterns are wristbands, phone covers and fingerless gloves apparently.
• As the student-consumer flexes its muscle, a new set of awards is born - Oscars for academics, as voted for by those they teach.
• A "no-frills" university college offering teaching seven days a week and degrees for around half the price of traditional universities will start recruiting students next week.Coventry University College will focus on professional courses including accounting, law and marketing, at a maximum cost of £4,800 for a full-time degree student.
• Even in Afghanistan, RAF medics can continue their studies through distance learning - thanks to Anglia Ruskin University.
• TV programmes and films marketed as "educational" are of little value to children under two, according to US paediatricians. There is some evidence that exposure to TV at this age has a "negative effect" on language development.
Guardian opinion
Mike Baker You know, what the government is really up to is nationalising schools. Happy with that, Tory party?
Harinder Bahra Why is there still only one vice-chancellor in the UK from an ethnic minority (and even he was imported from South Africa)?
Jeevan Vasagar Is the left ready to embrace free schools?
Research revelation
• Kate Winslet's new film, Contagion, comes at the perfect time for researchers at Warwick who are looking at how diseases spread. They believe it'll help them track interactions that make people ill:
"We've even discussed getting students to stand outside cinemas and hand out flyers."
Education news from around the web
• Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman has criticised the "dreary educational establishment" in the Radio Times for failing to teach schoolchildren about the British empire. Harry Mount, in the Telegraph, is awfully chuffed. He calls him "good old Paxo".
• Fran Abrams reports for the BBC that Britain's madrassas have faced more than 400 allegations of physical abuse in the past three years, but only a tiny number have led to successful prosecutions. The revelation has led to calls for formal regulation of the schools, attended by more than 250,000 Muslim children every day for Koran lessons.
• Thousands of staff in universities are to be balloted for strikes after the breakdown of pay talks, says the Independent. Unite says its 20,000 members will vote on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action in protest at a "derisory" offer of a £150 lump sum.
• Funding chiefs have tweaked the government's plans for student number controls in 2012-13, the THE reports. The government's idea was to remove from core quotas all student places filled by those with grades of AAB+. These would then be opened up to full competition. However, under Hefce revisions, no institution - even those where almost all students are AAB+ - will see student number controls removed completely.
On the Guardian Teacher Network
• As the night's draw in and the energy consumption goes up, find resources for Energy Saving Week and more info here.
• Read Mike Gershon's top tips on the perfect starter and sample his starter generator.
Education seminars from Guardian Professional
The Guardian Teacher Network runs training sessions for teachers throughout the year in Yorkshire and London. Upcoming courses include:
Is your school thinking of becoming an academy?
This seminar will provide an independent view of the advantages and disadvantages of converting to academy status. It will look at the process of conversion, the implications of academy status, and the support and funding available. November 30, in London. February 21, 2012 in Yorkshire
Protecting young people in a digital age
Led by school digital safety experts, this one-day course will provide safeguarding policy and Ofsted criteria updates, as well as looking at social media and offering practical advice to help your school develop its digital safety policies. February 1, 2012 in London. February 8, 2012 in Yorkshire.
For a full list visit the Guardian Teacher Network
Teachers seminars from the Guardian Education Centre
Reading for pleasure – bringing classics to life
This half-day conference for secondary school teachers will explore the use and teaching of classic books from Dickens and beyond. Keynote speakers will be Simon Callow, actor and Dickens enthusiast and Judy Golding, daughter of William Golding, author of Lord of the Flies.
20 October, London
Insight into digital journalism
Spend a day at the Guardian and find out how an international news media organisation works. The seminar will focus on aspects of digital journalism including writing and editing for a news website, the relationship between print and web journalism, live blogging, the use of social media, podcasting and video production.
2 November, Kings Place, London
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EducationGuardian resources
The Guardian University Guide 2011
The Guardian Postgraduate Guide 2011
The world's top 100 universities
Updating table of university fee announcements for 2012
From Guardian Professional
The Higher Education Network for university professionals
Free online classroom resources on the Teacher Network
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