News
Universities should be audited for whether learning outcomes are met
2+ hour, 6+ min ago (739+ words) Fifty years ago, the genetic makeup of undergraduates was virtually identical to what it is today. The best estimates are that there would have been three or fewer differences per 100 million nucleotides. And yet that generation of authors, physicians, physicists,…...
Intent: the key to effective and efficient interdisciplinary collaboration
21+ hour, 6+ min ago (330+ words) Institutions often make the mistake of asking: “What departments should be involved?” But a better starting point is: “What problem are we trying to solve?” When projects begin with a clearly defined challenge, researchers can acknowledge where expertise overlaps and…...
Master’s places rise, as universities adopt ‘social good’ mindset
1+ day, 50+ min ago (695+ words) Australian universities increased their postgraduate enrolments during the coronavirus pandemic, although it left them no better off and even hurt them financially. But the gesture has left them in a bind by entrenching expectations that they will provide subsidised master’s…...
The Shakespeare scholar puncturing pretensions of modern academy
22+ hour, 6+ min ago (613+ words) It is Shakespeare who has led Sean Keilen to challenge both the “intellectual pride” and the “social justice activism” that he sees as all too common among literary scholars. Now professor of literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz,…...
Developing a narrative, evidence-based teaching philosophy statement
1+ day, 21+ hour ago (538+ words) A teaching philosophy statement can open doors to career opportunities and help educators to better understand and improve their practice. A strong statement clearly illustrates the values, beliefs and goals (VBGs) that govern your teaching approach and shows how they…...
Shared effort for measurable impact: building sustainable labs through partnership | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect
1+ day, 21+ hour ago (318+ words) The good news is that many sustainable changes are practical, cost-effective and easy to implement and need not compromise research quality or productivity. They also provide a foundation for institution- and sector-wide change. Below are actionable steps labs can adopt…...
In the AI era, the human struggle can no longer be the point of research
1+ day, 22+ hour ago (874+ words) For a body of people trained in healthy scepticism, academics are remarkably willing to take certain claims at face value when they align with their preconceptions. And that is especially true when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI). Faculty who’d…...
Be clear on contextual admissions policy, universities told
4+ day, 10+ hour ago (786+ words) Universities in England must work together to contribute to the “growing evidence base of best practice” on contextual admissions, according to fresh guidance on the widening access tactic. The current picture of how the process works across the sector is…...
Storytelling and theatre techniques to take research to general audiences
4+ day, 21+ hour ago (188+ words) Rather than presenting facts in isolation, storytelling provides context, stakes and a logical progression that helps audiences – whether the general public or fellow scholars – connect research findings to real-world experiences. This can improve engagement while preserving scientific accuracy. These approaches…...
The profound threat to Exeter’s humanities is a reality I cannot face
4+ day, 22+ hour ago (633+ words) A few years back, I found myself standing in one of Exeter’s oldest buildings – St Nicholas Priory. I was on a field trip with students from the MA in magic and occult science and we were asked to pay attention…...