Keir Starmer’s trip to his alma mater reflects universities’ regional clout But institutions will contribute much more to both their localities and their planet if they collaborate more, says Simone Buitendijk By Simone Buitendijk 10 December
‘Contamination’ risk justifies banning gender critical speakers – report Claim by University of Essex law academics that ‘anti-trans’ speakers could ‘contaminate’ buildings branded ‘misogyny’ by critics By Jack Grove 9 December
Ukraine’s plan to ban Russian materials ‘violates academic freedom’ Leading human rights activist says ‘absurd’ draft law could be ‘extremely harmful to education and research’ and is reminiscent of Soviet censorship By Ben Upton 9 December
Alison Wolf: Resist ‘single purpose’ view of higher education Seeing degrees solely as gateway qualification to the modern labour market ‘neither just nor efficient’, says government adviser on skills By Patrick Jack 8 December
Free speech bill: Peers scrap right to sue but add NDA ban Peers amend controversial legislation owing to prospect of “endless litigation”, with ban on non-disclosure agreements also supported By Patrick Jack 8 December
PhD thesis unread? British writer hits on novel solution Political scientist Jack Williams’ debut novel draws on his experiences as a PhD student at Princeton and Zurich By Jack Grove 8 December
University entry gap between London and rest of UK hits record More than half of school-leavers in the capital enter higher education, but fewer than one in three do elsewhere By Patrick Jack 8 December
Students ‘want career-focused courses but not more regulation’ More than half of those polled by Hepi and NUS express support for education designed with employment in mind By Tom Williams 8 December
Staff satisfaction with support for online teaching drops Sector’s digital ambitions not matched by training, investment and support for staff in transition to more online learning, finds Jisc survey By Tom Williams 7 December
International student numbers will continue to grow, says Keegan Education secretary distances herself from plans to restrict study visas being pushed by No 10 By Tom Williams 7 December
Race equality ranking planned to shake up sector’s slow progress University leader compiles data to ‘point the finger’ at institutions still lagging behind equality commitments By Tom Williams 7 December
Iceland’s university casino idea ‘preposterous’ Leaked pitch for gambling hall and online expansion comes after university experts warn majority of income likely to come from addicts By Ben Upton 7 December