News

Funny jokes improve class cohesion and dud gags do no harm, study finds – but offensive quips can alienate learners

UK government guidance highlights EU programmes where ‘third country’ participation is not permitted

The Dutch anthropologist discusses growing up in the sectarian Netherlands, following the hippie trail and whether religious tolerance has a future

Political meltdown scotches hopes for stability in university sector

LSBU v-c calls for universities to take full charge of Level 4 and 5 courses, as small colleges could ‘dilute perception of quality’

Academics claim that funding application deadlines are becoming tighter

The good, the bad and the offbeat: the academy through the lens of the world’s media

Researchers as interested in the impact of supernatural belief on society as whether those views are grounded in fact or fiction

Survey of more than 14,000 international students studying in the country confirms post-study work as major driver for choosing Canada

Tearing down of Silent Sam reignites debate about future of Civil War commemorations

Experts look at the international picture for young people trying to move from care into universities

A divorced institute still living with its ex raises questions about why research centres jump ship

University of Adelaide is latest institution to bar men from applying for specific roles

Critics claim Ariel University institute does not meet required academic standards

Partnership between Colombian, Chilean and Mexican institutions also aims to stamp out corruption

National Student Financial Aid Scheme chair stepped down citing “extreme strain” put on payments system

Following proposed ban on teaching of gender studies, continent’s scholarly bodies say government is jeopardising Hungary’s academic standing

Error on Wikipedia page meant St Petersburg statue used likeness of Thomas Thomson instead of French architect

‘REF season’ is under way and staff who support the development of impact case studies need to consider their tactics. Chris Hewson offers guidance based on his own experience

UK’s least selective universities continue to lose out in recruitment battle

Using tropes already common in the US and the UK, the Alternative for Germany has accused institutions of being in thrall to the far left

Review of Higher Education says it cannot cope with significant increase in number of articles offered

Regulator’s figures reveal intensive student ‘churn’ and heavy concentration in business courses

Outgoing Pretoria leader Cheryl de la Rey will take experience of adversity and diversity to new role at Canterbury

Ministers reassure after funding agencies’ warnings of ‘serious impact’ for Brazilian research from cuts, but others see false promises ahead of election

Analysis concludes universities are ‘moving towards a nearly exclusive monopoly’ over research articles

Impeached former president Dilma Rousseff gives inaugural lecture at Brazil’s Federal University of Minas Gerais, where new course will open from the coming academic year

‘Dominant discourse of the censor’ must not trump free expression on campus, UWA head says

Drastic cuts necessary if funding situation not resolved, government agency warns

New centre could have £200 million price tag and be funded by wealthy benefactor

Billed as a remedy for career uncertainty, micro-credentials may play into bosses’ hands, critics warn

Government steps in after scams undermine consumer protection arrangements

Lower-tariff institutions continue to lose out as 18-year-old population declines

Latest figures from annual Complete University Guide survey reveal another big uplift in master’s fees for UK and European Union students

Survey of English and Welsh students shows that prospect of increased earnings does not make up for student ‘resentment’ over fees

Extra pressure created by the need to take on part-time jobs after study grants were axed, medics warn

African Development Bank head says continent’s universities must focus on areas such as drones and AI to boost agriculture

Portland State University opens door for Saudi students caught in political dispute to transfer

German students – and academics – still go along with controversial mainstream theories in order to get ahead, researcher argues

Study offers further insight into the persistent trend for women to be cited less frequently than men

China now has three institutions in top 100 of research-focused ranking 

Prime minister’s charm offensive proves timely, as Chinese student visa applications stall

Adelaide neighbours progress merger plan with new discussion paper on pros and cons

University leaders were given less than 18 hours to respond to state plans to scrap the subject

While students protest, repayment arrangements will still be kinder than elsewhere

Staff say they are having to put in extra hours to bring master’s students’ skills up to scratch

Australia’s top universities deliver greater economic benefits than their UK equivalents, study finds

New president of German Rectors’ Conference thinks it is crucial that all students know the European canon

Survey unearths secret to student survival: don’t spend

Perspectives of historians, funders and fundraisers address ‘Maoist moralizing’ and shaking up ‘complacent’ institutions

Experts warn that row shows how globally mobile students can be used as pawns in era of ‘political overreaction’

Magdalena Skipper lists dedication to high-quality, reproducible science and greater transparency in decision-making as priorities

Universities South Africa to investigate why there are so few women in the top roles in higher education

European Research Council says move is to support open access and get round often lengthy publishing process

Irish bill criminalising the provision and advertising of cheating services could hit Google and Facebook, experts predict

The good, the bad and the offbeat: the academy through the lens of the world’s media

‘People who have been around at a university for a while assume they know everything…but actually they need to be educated themselves,’ says project leader

Scholars broadly welcome new government’s pledges but say sector reform will be challenging

The computer scientist on the future of online education, seeing early demonstrations of Google, and why he wished he had cloned himself

Tributes paid to former Institute of Education director