REF 2021: Did game-playing shift from researchers to outputs? Increased use of ‘team science’ may have been a major factor in latest REF scores, say experts, but this may be no bad thing By Simon Baker 25 May
Greenhalgh: disciplinary ‘power plays’ delayed pandemic action Oxford professor says dismissive attitudes to Covid case studies meant evidence that mask wearing saved lives was overlooked By Jack Grove 24 May
‘Illiberal’ universities risk ‘polarisation tending to civil war’ Free Speech Union chair issues warning as Conservative adviser poses question on new free speech bill in event of ‘stonking’ election majority By John Morgan 24 May
Academics pledge to appeal after USS case dismissed by High Court UK higher education’s biggest pension fund clocks up second legal victory in a week By Tom Williams 24 May
Universities told to take action on student spikings Every institution in England to draw up a policy, with sector response coordinated by new working group By Chris Havergal 24 May
Study: paid essay writers often well educated and based locally Researcher debunks idea that assignment writers are typically based in the Global South By Tom Williams 24 May
UK rejects ‘inexplicable’ price hike for Nature journals Universities seeking significant savings after Elsevier victory By Jack Grove 24 May
Polish president stifles genocide researcher’s professorship bid Head of state accused of ‘chilling’ research with three-year block By Ben Upton 24 May
OfS chair criticised for sharing platform with ‘racist’ speakers Academics claim Lord Wharton’s appearance at CPAC Hungary is incompatible with his role at top of English regulator By Tom Williams 23 May
REF 2021: Golden triangle set to lose funding across key subjects Experts debate whether erosion of dominance will prompt redrawing of funding criteria By Simon Baker 23 May
Doubts on marking boycott impact as v-cs bid to save graduations Universities seek to win over staff with bonuses and consider subcontracting assessment By Tom Williams 23 May
Spanish universities law extends ‘long tradition of mistrust’ Second draft promises to increase spending and tackle casualisation, but government remains reluctant to loosen reins on sector frustrated by red tape By Ben Upton 22 May