University of Bristol

A Times Higher Education top 100 university founded in 1876, the University of Bristol is home to some of the world’s leading researchers. We combine teaching and research excellence with an independent, forward-thinking spirit.

University of Bristol

EDI training

We must acknowledge our positionality to inclusively engage the community

The work that can lead to change involves building relationships and understanding, and developing and sharing knowledge in partnership with our communities. Put simply, community engagement must engage the community, writes Nilufar Ahmed

Nilufar Ahmed

University of Bristol

Woman sitting at her laptop with her head in her hands

Playing the promotion game: how to navigate upshifting

Done well, upshifting helps you to gain experience and develop capabilities that support your career development and promotion prospects, write educators at the University of Bristol

Rushana Khusainova, Rachael Lamb, Nicki Newman

University of Bristol

Female leader in an office smiling at the camera

Five leadership tips for women in higher education

The first woman of Indian heritage to head a Russell Group business school shares leadership insights for women in higher education, from mentorship and resilience to self-discovery and embracing your unique identity

Palie Smart

University of Bristol

Father with his child at a laptop working

Four ways to achieve a better work-life balance in academia

Switching off can be a considerable challenge for those working in higher education, even though it is essential for a work-life balance and well-being

Rushana Khusainova

University of Bristol

Female head of department speaking to her employees during a team meeting

I found my voice as a woman in academia; here’s how you can do the same

People want to know that you are competent. If you are not a capable pilot, no one is going to get on your plane, writes Veronica Hope Hailey

Veronica Hope Hailey

University of Bristol

A group of policymakers discussing research

How to facilitate knowledge exchange and build trust with policymakers

Those seeking to create impact with their evidence should be ready to understand how public sector bodies make sense of the value of research, writes Julian Molina

Julian Molina

University of Bristol

Volunteers wearing hi vis

Use students to facilitate impactful collaborations that benefit the community

Using students to connect third-sector organisations with people who can help them brings benefits to all involved. By Martin Parker

Martin Parker

University of Bristol

Teacher giving a class to a room full of students

A framework for decolonising and diversifying science curricula

Actions you can take to make your science curriculum more inclusive and relevant to all students

Alice Robson , Bronwen Burton , Caroline McKinnon

University of Bristol

Student support group

How can we encourage more prospective first-generation students to apply to university?

Reflecting on her experiences as a first-generation student and widening participation practitioner, Raeesah Ellis-Haque shares insight into how universities can ensure communications and outreach activities speak to prospective first-generation students

Raeesah Ellis-Haque

University of Bristol

Maximise your research impact with these seven LinkedIn tips

LinkedIn works as a powerful tool for academics who want to share their research, yet self-promotion can be daunting. Here are seven tips to engage with other academics on the platform and define your brand

Rushana Khusainova, Hannah Robinson , Jacks Bennett

University of Bristol

How to land the promotion

Hone the story of your career to make a case for promotion

Reflecting on achievements, considering broader impacts and shaping a narrative that resonates can help you craft a compelling career story that enhances your chances of promotion

Eleonora Pantano, Rachael Lamb

University of Bristol

A male student sitting talking to an advisor

Student support: four ways to innovate for improvement

What fresh approaches could provide more proactive, tailored and cohesive student support? Andy Wistow shares insights from pilot schemes designed to do just that

Andy Wistow

University of Bristol

A young female researcher working in the lab

How can PhD researchers be supported to complete an alternative format thesis?

How universities can best support PhD researchers who wish to produce alternative format theses, based on a review of institutional policies

Caitlin Robinson

University of Bristol

A male lecturer talks to a class of students

The ‘third way’ academic: becoming an education-focused professor

Career development tips for higher education professionals who take an education-focused pathway

Rushana Khusainova, Wayne Holland, Sally Everett, David Boughey, Kathy Daniels

University of Bristol, University of Exeter, Aston University

A woman looking after her toddler

How to win at the part-time ‘game’ in academia

Higher education might be more accommodating of part-time employment than many private sector organisations, but working part-time comes with challenges. So how can you make a success of part-time working in academia?

Rushana Khusainova, Maria Kukhareva, Rebecca Feasey, Christina Hughes

University of Bristol, University of Bedfordshire, Bath Spa University, Women Space

A graphic of a colonial ship

Power and possibility: the role of universities in decolonisation

The question of decolonisation has grown in prominence in higher education in the past decade. Foluke Adebisi looks at why the concept is so often misinterpreted – and what is needed for universities to do it well

Foluke Adebisi

University of Bristol

LGBTQ+ campaigners pose with the rainbow flag

Work ‘with’ not ‘on’: making social research more inclusive for LGBT+ people

How to develop inclusive social research practices that involve carrying out work ‘with’ LGBT+ participants, rather than ‘on’ them, by Paul Willis

Paul Willis

University of Bristol

A reading through a book manuscript

How to pitch a book to an academic publisher

Key considerations for researchers when choosing an academic publisher and preparing their pitch

Victoria Pittman

University of Bristol

A young woman exploring a forest

The four-day week in higher education: can we make it work?

With a culture of overwork eroding well-being among UK university staff, could a four-day working week be part of the solution? Rushana Khusainova looks at whether this mode of working is feasible in higher education

Rushana Khusainova

University of Bristol

Crowd at a music gig

University brand communities: building reputation among different audiences

Universities are complex organisations with multiple audiences and stakeholders. How can fostering a strong brand community help their reputations to stand out from others?

Sotiris T. Lalaounis, William S. Harvey , Corinna Booth

University of Bristol

A female lecturer addressing a class of students

Introduce coaching principles into your work in four easy steps

Coaching is a popular tool for personal and professional development. Rushana Khusainova discusses how it can be used in higher education

Rushana Khusainova

University of Bristol

Steps towards open research in higher ed

Open research is a tough nut to crack. Here’s how we can get started

Investment, training and incentives are required if the sector is going to rise to the challenge of truly embracing open research

Marcus Munafò, Neil Jacobs

University of Bristol, UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN)

A man building a machine on his desk

Home labs and simulations to spark curiosity and exploration

Francesco Fornetti explains how home lab kits and simulation tools can help spark curiosity and exploration among engineering students

Francesco Fornetti

University of Bristol

Digital access is crucial and help is required for students to combat digital exclusion

We must remove technology worries from the student cost-of-living crisis

Students and parents cannot be left to make up the shortfall when it comes to financing their studies and tech needs – they need help from universities and government

Sarah Purdy, Steve Hall

University of Bristol

Young women with Ukrainian flags

Eight ways UK academics can help students and researchers from Ukrainian universities

From joining a working group to mentoring and collaborating, UK scholars can support Ukrainian scientists and make a difference, no matter how small

Anna K. Bobak, Valentina Mosienko, Igor Potapov

University of Stirling, University of Bristol, University of Liverpool

Image of a researcher examining a slide through a microscope

Don’t let the REF tail wag the academic dog

Institutions should resist the temptation to use the REF as a tool for competition and self-promotion and, instead, approach the results in ways that support sector-wide efforts to improve research culture

Marcus Munafò

University of Bristol