Jennifer Schnellman

Elon Musk, head of DOGE, holds a chainsaw during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on 20 February 2025

Trump’s assault on US universities: five views from the chainsaw’s teeth

The administration’s hostile edicts on DEI and science funding are sending shock waves through the US’ world-leading higher education system. Here, we present five takes on what is unfolding

By Josh Hiller

12 March

Academic networking: a cynic’s game?

Junior scholars are urged to do all they can to build bridges with the people who can give them jobs and promotions. But how calculating should they be about who to approach? How should they do it? And isn’t it all a bit grubby? Six established academics explain their perspectives

By Lee Cronin

12 September

A man disinfects tables in an empty exam room as a metaphor for Is it time to rethink s tudent assessment?

Is it time to reassess student assessment?

The pandemic has accelerated numerous experiments in assessment for the digital age, moving beyond simple knowledge recall. But is the traditional exam really obsolete? As the dust settles on another marking season, seven academics give their widely differing views

By Jill Hicks-Keeton

22 July

Hindsight’s hoard: What academics most wish they had known earlier

The acquisition of wisdom about life and career can be just as long and challenging a journey as any research project. Luckily, many wheels have already been invented. Here, seven academics offer the pieces of advice that could have given them a head start

By Kate Cantrell

12 November

Is there still a place for kindness in today’s harsh academic environment?

The season of goodwill is upon us once more. But in an era of hyper-competition, does academic kindness extend beyond passing round the nuts at the departmental Christmas party? Six scholars recount their own tales of collegiate benevolence

By Jedidiah Evans

19 December

How We Teach Science: What’s Changed, and Why It Matters, by John L. Rudolph

Book of the week: Jennifer Schnellmann surveys a century of lost opportunities in science education

By Jennifer Schnellman

27 June

How to be a PhD supervisor

The relationship between PhD students and their supervisors is often said to be the most intense in the academy, with huge implications for student success. Yet most supervisors receive little if any training. Here, six academics give their take on how to approach it

By Philip Moriarty

18 April