Opinion

Human serpents are lurking in the undergrowth at every university, says Felipe Fernández-Armesto

Sebastian Conran calls for a fairer approach at UK universities

Bryn Glover on his psychogeographic experience alongside author Will Self

The referendum is a chance to reinforce the Scottish higher education sector’s uniquely innovative identity, says Ferdinand von Prondzynski

A positive student experience is one of the most effective hooks for catching both undergraduates and postgraduates

Stuart Macdonald on the misery of being expelled from your university post

Ranking reveals the scholars whose social media profile exceeds their academic credentials

It is becoming more common to ask members of the public to pay your fees, but is it acceptable?

Why would a university stand by Mordechai Kedar after his abhorrent comments about rape as a terror deterrent? asks Neve Gordon

Latin America’s giant wants to be a player in more than football, and universities worldwide are keen to help it achieve its goal

The opposition must give universities guarantees about funding if it wants to gain support, argues Bill Rammell

In exercising its autonomy, the UK’s first fully private university has blazed a trail that the rest have followed, asserts Terence Kealey

Universities are capitalising on junior academics’ willingness to accept deteriorating working conditions, argues Luke Brunning

The English are not seriously contemplating the effects of Scottish independence. They must, writes Danny Dorling

Academic whistleblowers face ostracism and curtailed careers until the system fully recognises the value of more transparency

The former adviser to education secretary Michael Gove trawls for constructive criticism on policy, but will not stand for general whining

Brian Bloch on the unexpected success of Darm mit Charme, by Giulia Enders, a book about our intestines

Why is the University of London closing a place to build work skills?, asks Kevin Fong

Louise Byrne on female graduands’ struggle with traditional academic gowns

The rise of smart cities is challenging universities to respond with smarter learning, says Tim Blackman

We must return to first principles to develop a fair method of paying for higher education, argues Bahram Bekhradnia

The new universities minister Greg Clark also has ‘cities’ in his remit, but cries of mission creep may be premature

Some donors try to steer Israel studies to political ends, but gifts must fund impartial enquiry, says Charles Keidan

Sally Feldman on efforts to counter negative attitudes towards women on and offline

Champion of science and open access, best of a bad Tory lot or crusher of the university’s soul? The Twitter flock speaks

Institutions are exploring how to address the deficit and keep the scheme sustainable, says Anton Muscatelli

Greg Clark’s portfolio will benefit institutions by recognising the vital role they play in local communities, Lord Heseltine argues

Ferdinand von Prondzynski on the importance of the international nature of Scotland’s academy, no matter how the vote goes

David Willetts’ controversial policies divided opinion but the former minister won respect in a role that matched his talents

By harnessing the power of images, academics can fully exploit students’ learning potential, says David Roberts

Lucinda Newns confronts frictions within the discipline and her own unease at a lack of non-white voices

Universities must follow best practice in bullying and other personnel complaints, says an academic who has been through the process

Linking human rights and education in a revised Constitution has huge implications for those training teachers, says Audrey Osler

From Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics to promissory estoppel, conveying knowledge can be hard going at times

Christopher Bigsby on the pleasures and pitfalls of internationalisation

A drive to make colleges more research active must take in students, say Mick Healey, Alan Jenkins and John Lea

Alan Ryan considers the size and seriousness of the US student loans ‘crisis’

Social media slip-up causes controversy for US Department of Education

Oriental Morning Post editor spells out challenges of changing media landscape, says Hong Bing

Who in our sector has the political will to make the case for state-backed higher education for all, asks Thomas Docherty

Their democratic structures undermined and autonomy rescinded, the bodies face a quiet, deadly crisis, says Michael Chessum

Universities need to be careful about equating academic freedom and outspoken opinions with employee misconduct

Weekly transmissions from the blogosphere

Dorothy Bishop on the senseless purge at the Institute of Psychiatry

Foreign students in the UK need fluency, not just a certificate, says Karen Harris