Opinion

The sector would do well to consider setting a target for the proportion of women heading universities, says Simonetta Manfredi

With the fever of REF results subsiding, we contemplate what 2015 might hold in store for higher education

Three achievements are underestimated in current political debates, says Anne Corbett

Alan Ryan is dismayed to see that the US is still bedevilled by lethal racism

Academic staff must do more to address inequality of access to taught master’s and doctoral degrees, say Sally Hancock and Paul Wakeling

Remember that everyone is watching your online lectures

Emran Mian argues for standardisation in setting of exams

Weekly transmissions from the blogosphere

The Erasmus programme presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to discover the perks of international mobility, says Brian Bloch

Felipe Fernández-Armesto on the habit of naming everything, from university libraries to landings, after people

The REF results can be wrapped up and presented many different ways. THE puts its analysis under the sector’s tree

Why do so many Christmas gifts continue to be gender-specific? asks Sally Feldman

Nicholas Boyle, the author of 2014: How to Survive the Next World Crisis, reflects on the predictions he made about the past 12 months

Problems associated with the system of research assessment would be reduced by a move to annual reviews, Paul Grout argues

Alfred Morris argues that alternative providers, criticised by the National Audit Office, aren’t the villains they’re made out to be.

The arrest of several academics has raised questions about the nation’s research culture, says Hong Bing

Opinions on campuses worldwide are just a click away

Andrew McGettigan considers the findings of the National Audit Office’s investigation into alternative providers

Despite the introduction of postgraduate loans, the government’s education funding aims remain a puzzle, says Nigel Carrington

Christopher Phelps views universities through new eyes when he accompanies his daughter on a tour of UK campuses

As the results of the research excellence framework approach, Emma Rees’ sleep-deprived imagination runs riot

The REF may have alienated many academics because of how it has been interpreted by a management culture

Criticism of postgraduate loans scheme smacks of the adage: ‘never let a good deed go unpunished’, writes Andrew Wathey

Richard Black on data manipulation and the problems with multidisciplinary subpanels

Academics’ engagement activities are valuable, says Alison Phipps. But a public profile comes at a price, especially for women who study gender

Kevin Fong on how Christmas nostalgia can help us buy the right gifts today

An OMG moment is predicted for whoever wins the election as politicians address lapses in oversight and funding challenges

Students are using new gender-inclusive terms, and academics have to catch on and catch up, says Deborah D. Rogers

Scholars laud Sarah Churchwell’s Times Higher Education essay restating value of arts and humanities disciplines

The union of two London universities is underpinned by a powerful vision, say their leaders Chris Husbands and Michael Arthur

You must like the University of Cambridge, says YouGov

Few students in America are paying full price on fees, says Alan Ruby

Universities already play a key role in powering regional growth. Another diktat demanding more on that score may be unhelpful

Jim O’Neill on how institutions outside London can do more to retain graduates and create jobs with government help

A surprising graduation talk on climate change causes Sally Feldman to question her biases

Paul Wellings and Toni Pearce consider the impact of higher fees

Ferdinand von Prondzynski welcomes planned legislation that addresses key university governance issues

With cuts looming on the horizon, the sector cannot afford to relent in pressing the case to protect the research budget

Sonal Minocha recalls her own experience as an international student and argues that post-study work visas must be brought back

Legal scholars say threats to sue individual academics over industrial action may expose institutions to greater liability

Discoveries made off-campus are as valuable as lectures, says Christopher Bigsby

Chris Cobb and Maurice Frankel debate the pros and cons

Students must mobilise on the streets and build alliances to win free education, says Deborah Hermanns

Fear and loathing in the academy

Anne Corbett flags the ones to watch among commissioners for 2014-19