North America

What strikes some as a tedious chore prone to bias can transform lives and evoke enduring gratitude. Academics should embrace the opportunity to knit the plot of a person, says Douglas Dowland

Analysis argues that science has a ‘critical problem’ because its self-correction process is slow and ineffective

Powerful organisation moves to rank economic value of university education to students

Future citations of a journal paper drop by more than a third after being included in a review

Visa reform would offset declining domestic enrolments, spread US values and give students the education they want, says Kent Devereaux

With a $300 billion price tag, campaign promise met with scepticism – and long-term optimism

Attempt to find software flaws points up need for researchers to see beyond code to the people affected, academics say

Inspiring stories from alumni of the Scholar Rescue Fund reveal how they have enriched both host and home academic communities

Faculty must draw on abilities they have developed in the classroom to steer administrators in the right direction, says Karen Spierling

Service for local companies grabs spotlight as potential aid to competitiveness

Lawmakers and activists work to forbid talk of enduring inequities

Choice of Cordray affirms high-profile focus on problem of college affordability