Research

The higher their performance, the more interdisciplinary scientists are penalised by colleagues as a threat to the status quo, find four researchers

A constant demand for more evidence increases the chances of discovering something nobody has been looking for, says Gerd Gigerenzer

Lab-by-lab approach determining who gets credit and who doesn’t must be replaced by more comprehensive policies, researchers say

Leading professor proposes charter to protect free exchange of knowledge

Loss of an institutional position closes too many doors for those whose passion for research outlives their academic careers, says Maria Cohut

Researchers need to be confident enough to lift the veil on the debate that is at the heart of scientific progress, says Rebecca Lawrence

Australian policy guru suggests complete rethink of research funding to overcome ‘opportunity cost’ of unsuccessful grant applications

Federal agents charged with patrolling university labs fret the open environment, not knowing sector’s practices well enough, auditor concludes

In fight to keep cities safe, some academics seen as harming urban poor by prioritising police and donors over community needs

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

Stabilisation funding, fellowships and industry collaboration grants identified as key priorities, but questions about whether country can successfully replicate Brussels schemes remain

Australia will be the big loser from an exodus of Chinese researchers, academics warn

Australia’s oldest university library adopts new protocols for acknowledgement, representation and access to indigenous material

Australian survey finds that internal training focuses on things staff already know, like how to define research integrity, rather than practical skills to achieve it

Over-possessive scholars may resort to foul play to protect their research domains, say postdocs

Man came forward to report sexual reorientation practices he endured on campus in the 1970s

This year’s positive financial results mask urgent need for historic reform to ease reliance on international students, says Nobelist

‘Deeply problematic’ deadlock over Britain’s membership of European research scheme cannot continue, warns science minister ahead of ‘last round of talks’

University’s near-complete accounting reported to find 7,000 Native Americans and 19 victims of slavery among bodies used in often-racist research

Instead of creating ‘strong leaders’, institutions should aim to educate students to be ‘someone everyone wants to work with’, academics told

Grand challenges ‘do not fit neatly within disciplinary boundaries’ and neither should science

Twitter has allowed war scholars and the public to hear from a diverse range of experts and created star academics but some are wary about where the tidal wave of commentary may lead

Outgoing vice-provost David Price reflects on changes during his 15-year tenure, plus how the REF and scholarly publishing should change

The passions roused by the culture wars show that people care deeply about history and culture right now, says Edward Harcourt

Analysis of 20 million papers suggests global science powerhouses are increasingly benefiting from biased citation practices

The Canadian botanist who discovered the ‘wisdom of trees’ reflects on the growing enthusiasm for her work and why scientists should get emotional about their research

Survey of more than 9,000 prizewinners reiterates ‘urgent’ need to tackle gender representation, authors say 

Oxford professor says dismissive attitudes to Covid case studies meant evidence that mask wearing saved lives was overlooked

Nieces of nation’s incoming justice minister accused of faking research papers to help gain Ivy League admission

Aims to move away from metrics-based evaluations floundering, study finds

James Wilsdon says he is open-minded about including more metrics in future research assessments

Long timelines, siloed training and the prioritisation of drug development make life-saving advances in detection less likely, says David Crosby

Review to revisit conclusions of 2015’s The Metric Tide

Russell Group head says window for association is ‘closing fast’ as political row rolls on

There is no evidence in art and design that the REF drives a wedge between research and students' interests, says Victoria Kelley

The Cambridge-based US philosopher explains how his father’s vexed relationship with Catholicism led him to philosophy and why the student idealism he witnessed in West Germany in 1968 caused him to leave America

The REF may no longer be the only game in town, but it remains a dominant force in UK research. So as the REF 2021 results are released, is it still fit for purpose?

The latest iteration of the UK’s national research audit has fulfilled its aim to identify research quality across the whole system, says David Sweeney

Universities must ‘recalibrate promotion criteria’ to place more value on teaching, says scholar

Linking impact to funding is breeding mistrust, apathy and unrest. Researchers must be free to do the work they find most meaningful, says Mark Reed

UK will give up its leadership role in EU-wide research projects for a back seat if association impasse drags on, warns Liverpool science chief

Politicians’ false claims to be implementing evidence-based policy risk undermining academia’s reputation, says Gary Thomas

Thinking in terms of disembodied abilities undermines again well-rounded learning and secure employment, says Gavin Moodie

US project leaders with history of China collaboration ‘saw dent to citations’

Kremlin’s push on technological sovereignty met with scepticism as West shuns partnerships over Ukraine war

Covid vaccine successes notwithstanding, researchers should remain wary of corporate capture, says Tahir Shah 

Science minister suggests disagreements with Michael Gove over role of Oxford, Cambridge and London institutions

Universities have the connections and resources for sophisticated risk management, not just ‘bureaucratic box-ticking’, says British-Australian academic

Academics warn against ‘technocratic’ solution when venues for publishing in languages other than English are struggling

A mixture of privacy concerns and managerialism prevents universities from making good use of their research expertise, says Sunil Mitra Kumar

Multiple small grants from trusts and charities can lend research projects credibility, opening bigger doors down the line, says Sophia Labadi

Conservative thinktank calls for creation of new study centre to address failure of universities to study radical ideologies

Melbourne institute’s mission to heal relations with India clashes with academics’ desire to spotlight subcontinent abuses

Universities’ intellectual property is seen as key to successful knowledge economies. But what is the best way to turn ideas into marketable products? Is it realistic to expect major commercial success? And how much of a stake should universities take in the process – and the proceeds? Jack Grove reports

Squeamish western Europe should take a more integrated approach to understanding war, says Ukrainian academic

If good collegial practice is recognised, shared and rewarded, universities will be more enjoyable places to work, says Rachel Norman

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

Study finds little ‘substantive’ change between 2002 and 2019 

Worldwide survey of scientists suggests almost two-thirds are now positive about their use

Presidents of 65 top-ranked institutions embark on joint quest to create shared research culture through tenure and promotion practices