English economic model ‘unravelling’ as more students miss out Admissions expert warns that fall in acceptance rate could be start of major issue in supply of places By Simon Baker 17 December
Medical Research Council chief apologises after bullying probe ‘Appropriate action’ taken after investigation into executive chair Fiona Watt, says UKRI By Chris Havergal 16 December
Reputation risks of lotteries for research grants inhibit funders Benefits of innovative grant selection method must be balanced with risks to funders’ reputations, explain research leaders By Jack Grove 16 December
Researchers raising Covid lab leak theory ‘branded anti-science’ MPs investigate role of journal publication in the early stages of the pandemic By John Morgan 15 December
Most universities see lack of funding as obstacle to going green European University Association survey also highlights importance of increasing staff support and management buy-in By Chris Havergal 15 December
Extend visitor visas or risk ‘undermining’ Turing scheme, UK told UK’s post-Brexit global exchange scheme could be boosted by extending student visitor visas from six months to one year, says UUK report By John Morgan 15 December
LSHTM apologises as racism review warns of ‘structural problems’ Institution’s director says sorry after review set up in wake of BLM movement and ‘broader concerns’ from staff and students By John Morgan 14 December
Tabloid target: teach public scientists don’t have all the answers Dirk Brockmann, branded a ‘lockdown maker’ by Bild, says scientists must make clear the uncertainty in their advice By Ben Upton 14 December
Loughborough goes online over Christmas self-isolation fears Government guidance wants face-to-face teaching, but university concerned about students getting stuck on campus By Chris Havergal 13 December
End ‘state of denial’ and create new universities, Willetts urges Tory ex-minister criticises ‘policy-Whitehall-Westminster establishment’ for failure to meet ‘high responsibility’ to plan for new universities By John Morgan 11 December
Universities need to work together to make an impact on climate change Emily Shuckburgh and Alyssa Gilbert, co-chairs of the COP26 Universities Network, draw the lessons from two years of collective effort By Emily Shuckburgh 11 December
Fast-track Swiss negotiations on Horizon Europe, universities say European research institutions want question of association to be separated from broader talks on political relationship By Chris Havergal 10 December