Opinion

Weekly transmissions from the blogosphere

Times Higher Education columnists suggest some thought-provoking options for new year commendations

The reckless pursuit of rank threatens the academy’s future, argues Roger Brown

Brian Martin suggests how junior researchers can fight against the well-kept secret of academic exploitation

Kevin Fong’s method to raise present standards

Weekly transmissions from the blogosphere

It’s been bedlam out there in 2013: Russell Group a-rising, visa plans off-putting - and still not enough ladies leading

I have had a good run with Henry V, but I think it is over now

Academic Xmas Party Risk Assessment

Ideology and myopia threatens the future of some of the UK’s best humanities departments, warns Louis Goddard

Sally Feldman on UUK’s attempts to reconcile incompatible truth claims

The government doesn’t need to resort to violence to ensure foreign scholars’ compliance, argues Erin Jessee

Emma Rees can’t wait for the holidays to start

The chancellor’s decision to abolish the numbers cap is laudable but, as always, the devil lurks in the detail

Aldwyn Cooper takes aim at the coalition’s haphazard policymaking

Russell Foster on how to reply to the question ‘And what do you do?’ at Christmas cocktail parties

Martin Hall considers the legacy of academic values left by South Africa’s first black president

Forcing students to choose sides leaves them, and society, poorer, says Christopher Bigsby

Weekly transmissions from the blogosphere

Weekly transmissions from the blogosphere

As more emerging economies get their own acronym, perhaps some high-powered advice for Cameron et al will hit home

Generous funding and quality tuition make US universities an attractive choice, says Alan Ryan

University press offices’ changes to Wikipedia are simply part of a long tradition of spin, argues Chris Hackley

Bird numbers in Britain and Ireland - monitored with the aid of citizen scientists - are falling. Tim Birkhead calls for action

As Times Higher Education launches the BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings 2014, Jim O’Neill says the UK can help the world and itself by going global

Bahram Bekhradnia warns of the clear and present dangers facing the UK academy

Weekly transmissions from the blogosphere

The absence of regulation and spiralling RAB costs threaten to undermine a growing sense of stability in the sector

Felipe Fernández-Armesto judges a revealing after-dinner game

Petting animals can help to overcome social barriers which can lead to improved learning for students, says Erin McKenna

Ourania Filippakou and Ted Tapper consider whether they are heading for extinction

Weekly transmissions from the blogosphere

Malcolm Gillies on contradictory attitudes to soaring fees and value for money

In a world where good names are priceless, UK universities have built up plenty of credit in the reputation bank

Corruption in the academy is being challenged by a ‘clean universities’ ranking and the power of press coverage, says Alina Mungiu-Pippidi

The changes will make sector results look worse than they are, warn Andrew Connolly and Clare Partridge

The idea that universities are hotbeds of incivility is implausible, says Emrys Westacott

Weekly transmissions from the blogosphere

Robert Appelbaum on the war of words that preceded the withdrawal of plans to privatise universities