How to navigate choppy, elitist waters as a working-class academic It will do no harm to find colleagues who understand the role of social, economic and cultural backgrounds in academia, says Carole Binns By Carole Binns 5 February
Kehinde Andrews: Enlightenment ideals perpetuate racism in academy Pioneering black studies professor calls on universities to reflect on their history and the forms of knowledge they exclude By Matthew Reisz 5 February
Publishers claim Plan S’ repository rules will bankrupt journals Major scholarly publishers warn that some titles will become unviable unless open access scheme changes tack on compliance By Jack Grove 5 February
Ucas data: Russell Group boosted recruitment as post-92s squeezed Figures renew concerns that last year’s pandemic-affected cycle adversely hit less selective universities By Simon Baker 4 February
Research misconduct ruling on historian’s Holocaust affair claim ‘Insufficient evidence’ for Warwick historian’s allegation that concentration camp survivor had lesbian affair with SS guard, university panel says By John Morgan 4 February
No extra in-person teaching on English campuses before 8 March Updated guidance in line with Westminster government’s plan to announce phased route out of the coronavirus lockdown on 22 February By Chris Havergal 3 February
Marking boundaries and algorithms shift in grade inflation row Degree outcome statements show some universities have clamped down on rising number of firsts By Simon Baker 3 February
Rapid rise in professors aged over 65 sparks opportunities debate Nearly half of all professors in the UK are now aged 55 or over By Simon Baker 3 February
Union condemns Liverpool’s ‘rank and yank’ science cuts plan UCU says axing health and life science researchers with the least grant income and fewest citations is ‘catastrophic error of judgement’ By Anna McKie 2 February
OfS chair pick will keep Tory whip but ‘uphold independence’ Lord Wharton says ‘top universities’ should have lighter-touch regulation in pre-appointment hearing By John Morgan 2 February
Augar review’s ‘dumb’ failings spotlight policymaking flaws Absence of political leadership, consensus building and links to ‘levelling up’ agenda seen as weaknesses of Westminster government’s post-18 review By John Morgan 2 February
Extra £50 million for English hardship funds ‘a sticking plaster’ Much more cash – and fundamental reform – needed to alleviate impact of Covid-19 on learners, say unions By Chris Havergal 2 February
