Editor's Note, August 2003

Karen Heise
M.A. Student, University of Northern Colorado
E-mail: Kheise2000@Yahoo.com

A recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education caught my attention. The article, dated July 17, was headlined, "2 Transsexual Women Say Professor Didn't Tell Them They Were Research Subjects," and went on to describe the conflict between two transsexual women and J. Michael Bailey, chairman of psychology department at Northwestern University and author of the controversial book, The Man Who Would Be Queen: The Science of Gender-Bending and Transsexualism (National Academies Press, 2003.) According to the Chronicle article, the book contains numerous interviews with and observations about several transsexual women, and two in particular claim they were never officially notified that they would be research subjects. According to the article, Bailey asserted that he "never considered [those women] research subjects [...] I was writing about my own life experiences among transsexual women." At issue now is whether Bailey violated Northwestern's IRB rules. This case will be worth watching, and it brings up several questions: Where is the line between research and "writing about [one's] own life experiences"? What constitutes actual data from human subjects, which was the main, original focus of the IRB's mission? Do IRBs need to be disbanded, and have they lost their original purpose? Either way, the outcome of the controversy will likely affect writers and their subjects profoundly.

Speaking of controversy, there is hardly a subject that stirs more debate among English teachers than the teaching of grammar. We bring you an interview by Dr. David Mulroy, whose upcoming book, The War Against Grammar, will be forthcoming from Heinemann/Boynton-Cook on August 28, 2003. Mulroy is passionate and enthusiastic about the importance of teaching grammar, and he also will share his love of the Classics (which he teaches), and his work to reform education.

We have a response to March's "Grist for the Mill: On War and Risk" this month from Marcy Koontz. In her work with fashion design students, she noticed the far-reaching effects of the war in Iraq as it manifested itself in the clothing designs of her students. I think you'll enjoy taking a peek into this mostly hidden world that affects us all every time we dress in the morning.

We are also beginning a five-part series from independent Canadian education researcher Dan Lukiv entitled "Lukiv's Educational Stew" In Part 1, our first "ingredient" is the limitless possibilities of students' imaginations--all-important to facilitating true education and discovery.

Also spotlighting the creative, we have shimmering summer-time poetry this month from David Wilde, and a free-association of "Nursery Rhymes, Catholic Mass, and WebCT" from Lynne Fukuda's column. Also, don't forget to check out "Grist for the Mill," where we invite you this month to comment further on grammar, education, and the literary canon.

Finally, with this issue, I am handing over the editorial baton to Elizabeth Haller's capable hands. Elizabeth has been a Content Editor for this journal for nearly two years and possesses the fine attention to detail, coupled with enthusiasm for AEE that the job requires. We also welcome Sharon Studenka as Content Editor. Sharon is a second- year graduate student in English Language and Literature at Central Michigan Univeristy. She is currently focusing on women British Romantic poets and will bring a fresh perspective to this journal. Welcome aboard, Sharon.

After August 15, please send all submissions to Elizabeth Haller at editoraee@hotmail.com. I will receive them as usual until then, which is why you'll find both of our addresses listed this month in the CFP.

I have enjoyed my time with AEE immensely, but I must carve out some extra time to prepare for comprehensive exams this fall. Afterward, I hope to see you elsewhere in cyberspace at the head of another journal.

Wishing you a great summer's end!

Karen Heise, (departing) Editor-in-Chief

PS - From Arthur Kingsland, Web Editor...

We apologise for the delay in getting this issue to air. We had the issue ready for 1 August, but with the change to the new server <http://asstudents.unco.edu/students/AE-Extra/> found that all the permissions were broken. We've been corresponding between universities trying to get this fixed and have this issue now online, but are still bring the other pages up to date to match the new server address.

Academic Exchange Extra invites reader responses to any writings in this issue--especially articles advancing the scholarly debate of issues raised.

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