University governance

Running an academic department is, famously, a mixed blessing. Academics cherish their autonomy, and anyone who infringes on it faces a rough ride. But not all academics are difficult, and those who are fall into a wide variety of categories. David Michayluk offers his hard-won tips on handling each one

Merger model common in other parts of education sector increasingly appealing to universities keen to retain some autonomy

University transformation relies on more open relationship with government, says group focused on sector-wide cost reductions

China’s Double First-Class project appears to be paying off as the country’s institutions continue to lead the rankings. Why have similar schemes elsewhere struggled to reap rewards, and can China keep advancing despite economic slowdown and an ageing population? Helen Packer reports

Three-term system ‘suited the time’, but post-pandemic conditions bring new priorities, says university

As people from non-traditional backgrounds become the majority in Australian universities, a legal academic argues that efforts to accommodate them can help the old guard too

Australian university council members bear far less onerous ethical and reporting obligations than volunteer mums and dads, analysis finds

Stagnating government funding means tuition fee rises may be inevitable, says Japanese university leader

Staff blame recent bout of recruitment as USQ prepares to cut more than one in 10 workers

Withholding hundreds of thousands of Australian dollars seen as a way of enabling ‘clawback’ of future losses resulting from ‘unobserved risky behaviour or malpractice’

Letter demands regulator action over ‘egregious’ governance failures, but ACU says claims disproved by ‘basic Google search’

Surveyed professional staff blame constant restructuring for escalating administrative burden and deteriorating administrative efficiency

Outgoing president of the University of Toronto discusses Canada’s international student restrictions, impact of second Trump term and prospect of more ‘bad surprises’ awaiting his successor

Leaders warn that over-regulation could shut down provision entirely after fraud connected to partnership agreements comes under the spotlight again

OfS defends ‘thorough’ investigation that legal expert says leaves institutions ‘without clear guidance’

Melanie Woodin will succeed Meric Gertler, who has led Canada’s largest university for more than a decade, on 1 July

Expensive pension schemes among issues highlighted as institutions look for ways out of current turmoil

External team to investigate why financial concerns that have led to more than 600 planned job losses were not raised sooner

We are transferring staff to the new Adelaide University bit by bit. Soon we will be the only ones left in the legacy institutions, say David Lloyd and Peter Høj

New education plan aims to create four city hubs and expand enrolment as youth population swells

New tertiary regulator outlines wider vision in strategic plan as it seeks to get to grips with scale of cuts across sector

Teqsa’s request for extra clout to tackle ‘systemic’ governance failures deemed too much by some, too little and late by others

Ecologist to take over from Sally Mapstone in aftermath of key government spending review

Leader of Welsh institution, already under pressure over massive job cuts, claims words were ‘grossly misinterpreted’

Experts concede shortcomings in the oversight of universities but question whether Teqsa is best placed to resolve them

Academics warn that top-level power struggle contributes to low enrolment in state institutions

Jane Norman eyes more focused approach for university after decades of rapid growth, with new financial paradigm forcing ‘hard conversations’

Phil Brickell writes to education secretary to highlight ‘concerning practices’ at newly rebranded University of Greater Manchester

Statement endorsed by 39 Australian institutions described as both being ‘not robust enough’ and a ‘betrayal’ of staff and students

Government commission advocates for intervention in downsizing of higher education sector to avoid regional disparity

At the very least, they should hold out until the administration works out how to enforce its crackdowns on DEI and research, says Johann Neem

Disagreements over the extent to which Catholic teaching should influence academic practice have caused ructions at the Australian Catholic University. But where exactly should the line between academic freedom and spiritual doctrine be drawn in a church-owned university? John Ross reports

Vice-chancellor reportedly wrote to staff encouraging them to leave if they did not support university’s new strategy

Shadow minister urges government to investigate reports of attempts to pay money to relatives of university managers

Conference also hears that proposed streamline of ARC grant schemes will give early career researchers a ‘leg-up’

The recent arrest of accreditation council members only underlines that competence of regulation is as much of an issue as its degree, says Pushkar

Moves to appoint supervisory boards made up of business and public sector representatives seen as ‘logical step’ in sector development

The benefits of a strong brand are accruing for universities and academics alike. Jack Grove explores why reputation matters – and examines the latest results in the list of the world’s most prestigious universities

Former Warwick v-c warns ‘industrialisation’ of universities risks turning academics into ‘drones’, and says fellow leaders have done little to help

Private member’s bill the latest slap in the face to a sector struggling for social licence as election looms

Fortnightly leave pass to ‘provide leadership’ to consultants helped Wollongong’s interim boss ‘stay in touch with colleagues’

Amid financial turmoil, post-92s are creating subsidiaries to employ staff without having to enrol them in the expensive Teachers’ Pension Scheme. But what does that mean for grant and REF eligibility – not to mention hierarchies and industrial relations in an already restive sector? Juliette Rowsell reports

Individuals and groups must be convinced to strive for common educational purpose in an atmosphere of mutual respect, says Neil Rudenstine 

‘Anti-woke’ James Tooley back in charge at private institution as ‘serious allegations’ dismissed

Regulators vow to push ahead with ‘in-year’ submissions despite damning report on project’s impact on workloads

Former vice-chancellor says universities needs change in leadership culture to foster greater collaboration

Proposed governance probe seen as setback for a sector struggling with social licence

Long-awaited governance council, delayed by 18 months, stands in for 50-year-old regulator

Member of Augar panel on university funding and student mental health champion has been familiar figure in UK policy debates

The executive cadre clearly didn’t see the crises around revenue, leadership and public standing coming, say Hamish Coates and Leo Goedegebuure

Tokyo Women’s Medical University apologises after ex-leader accused of funnelling cash from construction project to herself

Controversial draft guidelines would expand eligibility pool for vice-chancellors and change faculty hiring criteria

Some staff at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology warn lack of ‘clear vision’ jeopardises prospects for institution amid uncertainty over funding, but managers insist views of ‘disaffected’ academics are not representative

Founding head of UK super-agency calls time on 34-year career in higher education

Newly merged mega-university set to open in January 2026 but neither of its current leaders will be at the helm

Local context is important in overhauling trustee recruitment – and payment may help, says Nikki Le Faou 

‘People lose a lot of their energy and resources to fear and speculation versus focusing on what’s actually happening,’ says newly inaugurated Boston University leader

‘Experimental public establishments’ such as PSL and Paris-Saclay have suffered growing pains of late, but hopes remain high that France may finally have found a way for its complex web of institutions to compete on the world stage without trampling cherished historical identities, writes Emily Dixon

Country’s 44th university wins ruling against Teqsa as religious-based institutions shake up long-static regulatory landscape

‘Crisis’ snowballed following A$1 million payout to short-serving law dean who was sympathetic to abortion