The newsroom blog

Universities normally resist being used by states to further an ideological goal. Why should it be any different when it comes to the EU? asks David Matthews 

Big datasets linking higher education participation to a range of socio-economic factors are useful and fascinating, but their translation into policy remains fraught 

Many institutions’ missions mean they do work that changes lives but never wins wide attention. Our new University Impact Rankings aim to recognise them

It would be easy for universities to cede the frontiers of research in AI to industry. But history – and the experts – tell us that would be a mistake

Republicans in Congress are far less ideologically driven to avoid deficits and increase military spending this time, writes THE’s North America editor Paul Basken

A large world-class university may eclipse a less renowned neighbour, but an education ecosystem rich in diversity can benefit all in the area

Matthew Reisz considers the work of researchers who have shed light on the ‘invisibility’ of social class in US universities

Lack of detail, not due process, is at the heart of concerns about medical research handouts in Australia, writes John Ross 

Matthew Reisz meets an expert on tracking the movements of animals which are sometimes fierce and virtually impossible to catch  

Upholding the ideal of free speech on campus knowing that conservative politicians hold the keys to the safe puts college presidents in a difficult position

Too often, the life-changing work of less prestigious universities goes overlooked. THE’s University Impact Rankings aim to change that, says Phil Baty

Male voices are over-represented in our pages. We know that we have more to do to better reflect all those in the sector, but we need women’s help

Cutting-edge scientific research requires freedom from political constraint. To maximise progress, both Asia and the West should reflect on their priorities

The hostility pervading online platforms is stifling provocative opinion and reasoned debate, and eroding the foundations of higher education

Academic turned wrestler Dan Mathewson is just one of many educators willing to go the extra mile for scholarship and learning, says Jack Grove 

Fixating on how research misconduct might impact the figures could distract the scholarly world from bigger questions about the future direction and conduct of science, explains Simon Baker

If popular books trump scholarly monographs, what’s the point of academic publishers? asks John Ross 

Matthew Reisz describes talking to Jordanian molecular biologist Rana Dajani about body image, the West’s view of the East and breaking into science’s big league

In sharing his side of the conversation about England’s post-18 education review, Chris Skidmore gives insight into the battle going on inside the government, John Morgan writes

Everyone appears to be behind open access, but scratch the surface and you’ll find that it’s something of a touchy subject in academia, says Rachael Pells 

The idea of mistakes being intrinsic to success has become an educational mantra – but for many students and academics, messing up is not an option

Evidence of strong public demand for access to papers is scant. Might a sophisticated database of lay summaries be more valuable?

But the former education secretary’s interview also makes plain that No 10 – with a hostile agenda towards the sector – has brutally overridden DfE, writes John Morgan

UK university leaders might be bullish on the subject of institutional failure but the divide between managers and staff needs serious redress

Hyper-selective universities help create the outrageous arrogance of some politicians. A bit of randomness in the process could lead to more humble leaders, argues David Matthews

Matthew Reisz considers the advantages – and the challenges – of long-term scholarly alliances and the role that gender can play 

Universities may feel held to unachievable standards, but removing barriers for all manner of talented people will make institutions better and stronger

England’s higher education institutions could soon find themselves having to retrench. Their vital role as engines of social mobility and commerce must be valued too

2018 was marked by strikes, pay scandals and the launch of the world’s first blockchain university

After a year where universities were buffeted by forces beyond their control, the winter brings time for reflection and appreciation of their vital role

If anyone should be leading the charge to tackle the world’s biggest issues, it is academics. But toxic debates are derailing them from their original purpose

As universities are warned of the risks of being politically partisan, Sam Gyimah’s resignation may leave the sector without a champion to defend it

Australia’s twice-unlucky research grant applicants raise questions about the assessment process, but they could help elevate science as an election issue, says John Ross

Recent political interventions in university affairs are symptomatic of the perception that higher education institutions need a firm hand

It’s easy to say academics should be kinder and more giving to students, but they already face myriad other demands and must mind professional boundaries

Dutch figures show just how little time professors get for their own research. It may be easier to pursue your intellectual interests outside the university system, says THE reporter David Matthews

A survey reveals readers’ opinions on whether professional editors or active researchers should be responsible for academic editing

Matthew Reisz praises the researchers who go way beyond the call of duty in investigating the world for us all

The international stars in the Boston Red Sox and the city’s stellar universities highlight why Trump’s xenophobic rhetoric is so out of step with a ‘winning’ part of America, writes Jack Grove from Boston

The chair of the Office for Students has declared that it would be irresponsible to bail out struggling institutions, but John Gill argues that institutions are facing financial challenges beyond their control 

The Australian government has released three major data sets unusually back-to-back and full of mistakes, leading John Ross to ask: why so much, why so fast and why so erroneous?

The possibility of a university failing as it is exposed to commercial forces could have consequences that ripple out far beyond campus

Matthew Reisz considers how children’s literature that draws on academic scholarship can hold lessons for readers of any age or social rank

UK higher education invites trouble if it conveys an impression that students and staff matter only in transactional terms and that diversity is not valued

What constitutes truly excellent teaching, and its oft-neglected relationship with research, are among the most urgent concerns in higher education

In an unpredictable, increasingly digital age, Singapore’s universities are rethinking how to equip alumni with relevant skills throughout their lives

Universities must be clear about their ethics to avoid tripping up on the precarious path from principle to guidance

Universities in China are once again the fastest-advancing group in the THE World University Rankings. A closer look at their approaches shows why

Seeing the NES as a solution to Labour’s biggest electoral problem could bring relevance to a vague concept, writes John Morgan from Liverpool

Where will higher education be in 2030? Our survey asks university leaders what they think the next decade holds for the sector

Although universities share a common goal, they face diverse challenges that make it unhelpful to view them as a homogeneous mass

UK academics prize the USS pension. Sacrificing a scheme ‘in rude health’ on the basis of overcautious calculations would cause more disaffection

The mercury has fallen, but an alarming number of issues threaten to ignite and, potentially, give the UK sector some painful burns

Laurie Taylor’s campus creation was loved because it mirrored academics’ own experiences. Although it’s closed, it will live on

The UK’s highly internationalised university system – a major factor in its research success – is a treasure that must be saved from a political altar

After a visit to Hungary, Matthew Reisz reflects on how academics can resist simplistic, government-promoted versions of history 

Experts are out of fashion with today’s political vanguard, but fraudulent research risks further undermining science, says THE’s Asia-Pacific editor John Ross

Outside the anglophone world, universities are under pressure to conduct research in English – but teach in their local language, says David Matthews

If only they knew then what they know now about meetings, work-life balance and the importance of being kind

If students aren’t charged fees, who gets stuck with the bill, and can they keep paying enough to keep the quality of the offering from suffering?