ÌÇÐÄVlog

Some say of newer institutions that more means less, but that’s not true – more universities mean a larger economy

Sport at university can be a draw for some, but not all students want to take part – or support the costs of their provision

UK universities must compete for talent with places where you can put a roof over your head on an academic’s salary – and maybe even a bus driver’s

The UK is an energising force on the Continent, with staff and student mobility crucial to our ability to compete internationally

The rise of ‘super scholarships’ that aim to turn out future world leaders signals a new front in a global war for the best students

With PowerPoint presentations and group work dominating, we would do well to remember the pedagogic power of a voice

Universities are finding that feeding the growing worldwide hunger to learn requires an international team effort

While buoyant student numbers may imply that £9K is OK, the jury is still out on the ‘right’ split between student and state

Good managers will digest the full spectrum of responses in our workplace survey to protect the system’s creative heartbeat

States across the Middle East and North Africa have invested heavily in the sector and we all have an interest in the returns

We must be alert to unconscious bias at work across the sector and develop ways to tackle the issue to achieve greater diversity

Claims of being soft on Islamic extremists put institutions that value open and free speech in a very uncomfortable spot

As Canadian scientists look forward to a better deal under a new regime, respect for their findings is as vital as fair funding

With 2016 just ahead, we ponder the state of campuses past, present and future

Letting students co-design their own curriculum is pedagogically sound and delivers real satisfaction, say advocates

Employability matters, but it is poorly defined. Only by spelling out what the term means can the concept be put to work

It is time to consider more structured support for academics who undertake the vital task of improving public engagement

Do students’ rising demands for ‘safe space’ reveal a reluctance to be challenged, or a new zeal for political engagement?

With less panic than it showed prior to 2010’s flat-cash result, science hopes for another round of it-could-have-been-worse

Arguably the natural end to a long process, this sector shake-up could end up implementing the aims of a five-year-old review

With a minister intent on ‘revolution’, there is a tactical, as well as a moral, case for universities to focus on improving ethnic minority representation

In accepting industry funding, universities must be transparent if they are to sustain public faith in the independence of research

For-profit operators are needed to help feed the continent’s hunger for degrees but regulation is key

‘Something must be done’: deep dismay at the human toll of the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis is spurring the academy to act

The definition of teaching quality may be tangled up, but it’s in everyone’s interest to find a satisfactory measure

The UK has performed well in our expanded World University Rankings, but intangible assets are a vital source of strength

In an age of extroverts, a scholar’s paean to shyness and Jeremy Corbyn’s ‘radio phone-in’ PMQs tack against the prevailing winds

Jo Johnson’s debut UUK speech offered variations on a Willettsian theme, but with a few chords to make his audience shift uneasily

China’s sheer size means that its present economic woes will be felt worldwide, not least across the higher education sector

A bid to reproduce key studies is less a tale of failure than of researchers’ willingness to put their own practices to the test

As the trend for mass-authored papers in science spreads to other fields, PhD students’ work is still going unacknowledged

With individuals and institutions alike calculating potential costs of Brexit, recouping loans from EU students can’t be ignored

Loans could push up the price of master’s courses, but with such degrees becoming sine qua nons, should fees be restrained?

Peer review may not spot fraud – so universities need to be vigilant in tackling any wrongdoing among their staff

From Africa to the UK, countries must find ways to capitalise on the global ebb and flow of today’s mobile scholars

As the sector debates the design of a teaching-ometer, campuses wait to discover the strength of the TEF’s power over fee levels

Leaving the EU would be a disaster for UK universities, but pro-Europe campaigners have to choose their message carefully

Metrics have become prevalent – and problematic – throughout universities, but they can be effective tools if used correctly

It’s a long way to the top if you want to make it as a PI, but there are many positives on the path to that big break

Some practices thought to be long established are anything but, while others considered novel have lengthy histories

Senior figures worry that the UK is lagging behind the innovators and entrepreneurs pushing the frontiers of higher education

Given the run of campus, some academics would target what they see as cult practices that raise stress and cut productivity

From senior appointments to student surveys, pedagogy is again centre stage – and waiting in the wings is a teaching REF

The move away from overseas branches attests to the fact that such operations are hard to get right and offer no quick returns

Insecure employment takes a toll on individuals, but its effects may also cut to the very core of universities and their missions

How will universities fare during the Tories’ defining second term – during which ‘Cameronism’ may, at last, fully reveal itself?

Change happens only when people genuinely participate – but is the enthusiasm there for a structural shift in education?

Whatever the outcome of the election, strong financial leadership will be key both to the country and our universities

What would politicians do for higher education in the next government? To find out, our panel gave them a grilling

Research reveals that sabbaticals boost productivity – but be sure not to take work phone calls or check the email

The uncapping of student numbers may not result in a surge across the sector - but things are changing all the same

The pay gap between men and women is an issue that never goes away. It’s time for action, not more reassuring words

George Osborne’s ambitions for northern research powerhouses may be undermined by post-REF funding allocations

Overseas students are key to universities’ success, bringing valuable fee income and adding value for home students, too

University terror inquiries flag the vital role of strong pastoral care and good tutoring in guarding against disengagement

Labour has given birth to its £6K tuition fees baby but doubts still remain about the costs and benefits of the policy

We need an honest conversation about unconscious prejudices and how they can hold back individuals and their work

The use of recruitment agents is rising, but are universities putting their reputations at risk as competition hots up?

Institutions splashed the cash to stay competitive, resulting in a REF price tag that may be far higher than the official estimate

Is the sector placing too little trust in academics and too much in performance management techniques?