Academic life

Disproportionate impact must be considered by universities when assessing performance of staff, study finds

As precarity affects ever more academics for ever longer, many have come to see a permanent position as the gateway to professional happiness. But does it always work out that way? Or do the responsibilities and trade-offs of seniority outweigh the joys of security and salary? Seven academics have their say

The London School of Economics political theorist reflects on why her childhood memoir Free has been embraced by readers across the world

Leading US public institution, six months after firing Schlissel over affair claims, gets top academic voice on equity from UBC

Rebecca Blank, who was until recently head of Wisconsin’s flagship campus, to return to state to fight aggressive form of disease

As undergraduate numbers soar and student needs become increasingly complex, questions are being asked about whether a support model that relies on the conscientiousness of individual academics is fit for purpose. Here, three scholars explain why, despite its faults, the pastoral role remains crucial

Academics urged to be more present while teaching to foster better learning environments

The president of the University of Würzburg discusses the differences between the two systems, why he’s joined a European university alliance and the benefits of interdisciplinary working

Friendly reminders about university events, deadlines and policies may seem harmless, but fielding these endless emails exacts a high price, says Frank LoSchiavo

The Covid pandemic severely limited travel options during the past two years. But with restrictions finally lifting and with summer beginning in the northern hemisphere, THE’s occasional travel guide series is back. Six academics offer their tips on where to head to get over another marking season 

Few academics abused the autonomy they used to have – and fewer still complained about their salary, says Adrian Furnham

St Andrews principal and former UCL president also honoured alongside retiring Research England head

Why can’t scholars acknowledge that a professor was both mistreated by Princeton and mistreated his former student lover, asks Jonathan Zimmerman

The historian discusses ‘glimpsing the nightmares’ of early colonial Americans in his Wolfson prize-nominated book on witchcraft, and why he took early retirement from academia

A US university’s requirement of 10 in-person office hours per week is an anachronistic sales pitch, says Jonathan Beecher Field

South American universities catching up with rest of the world on homeworking practices, according to THE data

Dealing with the death of a family member is never easy, but does academic life present further complications and difficulties? Three academics at different stages of their careers tell their stories

Merlí: Sapere Aude offers glimpses into academic life that are truly compelling and, at times, disturbing, says David Lunn

Crowds in cafeterias help, but those in hallways do not, when it comes to breaking up scientific silos, MIT analysis finds

Too many reviewers ignore their duty to independently review materials and instead rely on the candidate’s narrative, says Richard Utz

The University of Leeds vice-chancellor discusses why UK higher education should go Dutch and the national scandal that drew her to academia

All 45 Indian public universities to admit students on basis of one exam, prompting concerns over diversity and institutional autonomy

Staff scour social media to root out dissidents, with escalation of penalties meant to silence students

The president of Macau University of Science and Technology discusses overhauling engineering education and the differences between Macao and Hong Kong 

Iran’s universities have thrived despite the country’s sanctions, which could soon be lifted – but nation still beset by lack of postgraduate opportunities, scholars say

Russian Foundation for Basic Research looking at Rb1.15 billion decrease, while Moscow State University told to slash budget by 10 per cent

As debut film portrays academia as racist to the core, Mariama Diallo talks of love for her Yale experience but even tougher realities than she could show

Standard mentoring is not enough if we want a resilient, compassionate and happy research workforce, says Mark Reed

The default mode of human problem-solving is to add complexity. But we must try harder to resist, say Leidy Klotz and Robert Sutton

The Tohoku University president discusses the legacy of the 2011 earthquake and making his institution more friendly to foreigners 

University educators must not be blind to other life goals – like building a savings account, says Brent Lucia 

As war descends on Europe again, how many of the idealistic young scholars defending their country against invasion will live full lives, muses Keith Burnett

Two genetics experts with series of shared attributes enjoy collaborating, but suspect coincidences not bloodlines

Thirty years after his breakout book declared democracy to be an unstoppable force, the End of History author explains to Matthew Reisz why a new defence of liberal values is urgently needed, and why scholars must share some responsibility for destabilising them

Guards are adept at taking escalating student consumerism in their stride. Coffee may also be served, says George Bass 

Inducing shame and humiliation is not a blood sport. It is the very life blood of the academic profession, says Michael Marinetto

A few electronic mailing lists still thrive in the academy, reminding us that peer communication need not be all about ‘building the brand’, says Kate Eichhorn

Inclusive language, clear expectations and a genuine spirit of collaboration will make academia a more humane sector to work in, says Harvey Graff

Storms, flash floods and emergency services effort force students back online

The unrelenting social pressure to take on all domestic duties leaves women little time for professional advancement, says Sabrin Ramadhan

Long before students became potential vectors of infection, academics were inclined to shun their presence, recalls Laurie Taylor

International community ‘should take in academics unable to continue teaching in Hong Kong’, say scholars

Students and faculty welcome eased measures but remain wary, emphasising need for higher caps on daily arrivals

‘Vast majority’ of promised research commercialisation fund falls outside spending commitments, estimates committee also hears

The Bourne films had it right. ‘Look at us. Look at what they make you give,’ says Donald Earl Collins

Senior academics who flatter juniors and promulgate a high-minded vision of higher education are all in recruitment mode, says Harvey Graff

With both Oxford and Cambridge seeking new vice-chancellors, Rosa Ellis examines the unique pressures of leading these prestigious universities and the qualities that successful candidates will need to do the job

Accurate reporting of results is important, but meaning is rarely distorted by orthographic or grammatical slips, says Adrian Furnham

Perhaps it is only by recasting an agreement as an adventure that professors can respond to the urgency of our times, says Robert Zaretsky

The historian raised in a military family talks about her interest in both war and community, and the formative class which shaped that

Staff and students voice concern over CUHK’s condition that union can be reinstated only if it pledges not to break law

The Maastricht University president and rector is shifting the emphasis away from only research, despite pushback from Nobel laureate

Julie Lydon and Sarah Springman recognised alongside vice-chancellors, UUK chief executive and former UCU leader

Ontario parliament demands documents over university’s unprecedented bankruptcy, though analysis may turn to realities of bankrolling remote communities

Two years after student was beaten to death by classmates, calls for institutions to take more responsibility

The escalating pressures of university life are resulting in all manner of exotic new psychological disorders. Adrian Furnham opens his casebook

As the season of goodwill comes around again, warm words about collegiality and fellowship have been dutifully corralled into all-staff missives from university leaders. But in an era of management, metrics and industrial unrest, does the image of the academy as a commonwealth of scholars still bear scrutiny? Seven academics have their say 

Star professors who abuse their positions escape censure because universities fear hit to reputations and funding, says union report

But silence on flagship Discovery scheme leaves an estimated 3,000 applicants facing Christmas limbo

Conscripting industry players into research assessment roles will also turn the grant application process into ‘Frankenstein’s monster’