In February 2020, one month before our academic lives were upended by COVID, my Promoting Student Transformation at the Community College (HASTAC 2020) was published. Although it was not a planned decision, at that time, I essentially stopped blogging and have posted nothing in By the Speaking of this Truth in move than a year. Instead, my focus was on dealing with academic and personal transitions.

In August 2021, HASTAC published a black and white edition and a full color edition of my book. At the same time, I began to seriously pursue research on “A Pedagogy of Compassion;” research I had begin after my book was published. Because I have been reading in the fields of education, anthropology, evolution, religious studies, history, neuroscience, philosophy, diversity/equity/inclusion (DEI), literature, mental health, and more, my new research has augmented my knowledge of Theravada Buddhism as well as compassion from a Christian theological perspective. Although I have simplified the description of my research topic to “compassion/karuna,” I am also investigating other virtues such as loving/kindness, equanimity, and sympathetic joy in terms of their role in effective teaching and learning.

In 2021, I gave two conference presentations inspired by my research as well as led a book discussion that incorporated it. During 2022, I already have presentations accepted for the Liberal Arts Network for Development (LAND) Conference, the Great Lakes Regional Student Success Conference, and the National Organization for Student Success (NOSS) Conference. As we begin the new year, I am preparing articles incorporating my research. And within the next week, I will again be blogging on By the Speaking of this Truth.

After my break, I am excited to be writing again.

–Steven L. Berg, PhD

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