Feature article

Circle of connected coloured ropes

Is a ‘co-opetition’ model the way to safeguard higher education for future generations?

Shared support functions don’t mean the end of competition among institutions, writes Mark Thompson. Instead, collective thinking could focus effort on universities’ strengths and potentially rescue the sector from ‘an unsustainable race to the bottom’

Mark Thompson

The University of Exeter

A catoon image of a robot and human arm wrestling

Ensure AI serves institutions, not the other way around

We’d all prefer AI tools helped us do research and grade papers instead rather than take over campuses. Here’s how to develop AI tools for your institution responsibly

Craig J. Ramlal

The University of the West Indies

Group of schoolchildren

Bridging the gap between academia and local communities

Institutions that integrate public engagement into their core mission will contribute to stronger, more connected communities. Here are lessons from running an on-campus science bazaar

Ellie-May Beaman

Oxford Brookes University

A close up of a hand working on a document

Seven steps to dual publication

The dual publication model for research involves creating two versions of a research paper: one for fellow academics, and one for practitioners. Juggle the two with these seven steps

Şerife Eyüpoğlu

Near East University

forest with heart-shaped gap to sky

How we partner with landowners to sequester carbon emissions

Universities are turning to external partnerships in a bid to adopt more sustainable practices. Here are tips on how to identify and build relationships and overcome the challenges these collaborations can present

David Bruce

The University of Edinburgh

Using AI in careers services

How to make the most of AI in careers advice – and avoid the grifts

Careers services are perfectly placed to use artificial intelligence to help students transition into the workplace, both by developing expertise themselves and by training students to use AI tools in their recruitment journeys

Séan Richardson, Keiran Whitwell

London South Bank University

Asian woman drinking coffee at laptop

Tips for successful asynchronous teaching: supporting students, part two

As the most remote form of teaching, asynchronous courses require well-managed communication so students stay on-board and engaged – and understand all the requirements

Figen Mekik

Grand Valley State University

An academic in a library

How will AI reshape academic employment?

The rise of AI in higher education highlights the need for academics to upskill and adapt to new roles and ways of working. Read about how to future-proof your career

Patrice Seuwou

University of Northampton

A young woman sits in front of a laptop, holding a smartphone and making notes on a pad

Rethink authentic assessment for the generative AI era

How can we integrate AI into authentic assessment? Consider inspiring a collaborative spirit, aligning technology with pedagogy and modelling a new mindset for your students

Nadya Shaznay Patel

Singapore Institute of Technology

A group of students on their laptops in the library

Digital humanities 101

What makes ‘digital humanities’ different from ‘traditional humanities’, and how could it make your classroom more collaborative and creative?

Sarah Ketchley

University of Washington, University of Maryland Global Campus

Hands type on a laptop with "AI" on the screen

Let’s look at AI as a reasoning partner, not a shortcut

The latest reasoning AI models, such as DeepSeek, offer an opportunity for universities to strengthen critical thinking in the next generation of workers

Xiangen Hu

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Diamond held in tweezers

When essay feedback does more harm than good

Tired of asking for more scope, depth and flow with no improvement in students’ writing? Maybe the problem is not the students but your feedback

Alice Stinetorf

University of Southampton

A group of people listen to a lanyard-wearing speaker

A comprehensive model for interdisciplinary teaching

Interdisciplinarity is crucial for preparing students for a complicated world. Adopting a dual focus on both faculty development and student engagement could be the way forward

Ana Corbacho

Universidad de la República

Young black student in headphones at laptop

Tips for successful asynchronous teaching: creating engaging content, part one

Despite its flexibility and ability to reach across distance and time zones, asynchronous teaching is still seen as subpar when compared with in-person or even synchronous online courses. However, done well, it offers surprising advantages, as Figen Mekik explains

Figen Mekik

Grand Valley State University

A teacher live streaming from a smart phone

Go live on social media to engage with prospective students

Meeting prospective international students in person isn’t always possible. Here’s how to create engaging live streams on social media, from selecting valuable content to structuring sessions and encouraging interaction

Alex Fenton

University of Chester

Young male teacher at whiteboard

How to be empathetic when teaching first-year students

Creating a supportive and understanding learning environment can build trust, lessen anxiety and improve learning outcomes for students entering university. These practical actions will help educators incorporate empathy into their teaching

Abdulhusein Mizhir Almaamuri

Al-Mustaqbal University

An illustration of people working with a giant book

Six reasons why open institutional publishing matters

A new wave of institutional publishers is changing the way we think about academic publishing. Here’s why they’re worth watching

Philippa Grand, Suzanne Tatham

The London School of Economics and Political Science, University of Southampton

A jar with coins spilling uot of it

How to make extra money in academia

How to find and make the most of dissertation supervision, extra marking and public speaking opportunities to supplement your income

Rushana Khusainova, Edoardo Tozzi

The University of Bristol

Knowledge exchange professional services career framework

How a career framework for knowledge exchange can foster a culture of professional growth

A career framework can provide pathways for personal and professional development. Here, Jane Shepard explains how one arts-based institution identified the skills required by professional services staff who help facilitate knowledge exchange

Jane Shepard

The University of the Arts London

A happy group of students pose for a photo

Diversity isn’t a one-off task, it’s a learning journey

With diversity practices under threat, where can universities go from here? Ibiyemi Omeihe and Kingsley O. Omeihe outline the path to truly inclusive learning

Ibiyemi Omeihe , Kingsley Omeihe

University of the West of Scotland

A mentor having a meeting with her mentee

Become a better mentor by asking yourself these questions

Our mentees face a far more complex educational, social and geopolitical landscape than we did, and we must practise humility in the face of that reality, writes Maria LaMonaca Wisdom. In this piece, she explores how self-reflection enhances effective mentorship.

Maria LaMonaca Wisdom

Duke University

Young Asian woman looking tired at laptop

‘We shouldn’t sleepwalk into a “tech knows best” approach to university teaching’

As GenAI is used by almost nine in 10 students, these practical strategies help educators to rethink assessment and integrate AI as a collaborative tool in academic work

Rebecca Mace, Viktoria Magne, Sarah Hooper, Sharon Vince

University of Worcester, University of West London

A robot holds up an AI chip to plug the gap between a businessman and his target

Six ways to integrate AI for business school accreditation

Streamline the process of accreditation, create multi-modal communications and effectively manage data by harnessing the power of generative AI

Yassine Benrqya, Lakshmi Goel, Isabelle Fagnot

Al Akhawayn University, Kedge Business School

Ineffective communication concept

The perils of unheard policy

Effective communication is a core component of successful policymaking. Whether you’re a policy professional or working in communications, how you convey your message can determine whether your ideas thrive or fade

Alistair Sackley

University of Southampton

A woman writing in a journal on some steps

Using AI to foster self-directed learning

You can promote self-directed learning by breaking down tasks and integrating an AI chatbot into your course management system. Here’s how

Ying Shao, Xue Yao

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Students fist bump across a table

Equip students with interdisciplinary skills for the future with the Inner Development Goals

To navigate today’s complex challenges, students need more than just knowledge – they need transformative skills. Here’s how to embed the Inner Development Goals into your teaching

Debby Gerritsen, Rosanne van Wieringen , Belle Jansen, Jasper ter Schegget, Linda de Greef, Katusha Sol

University of Amsterdam

Male mature-age college student

What makes a university extension programme stand out?

A holistic approach to extension courses that includes easy access to information, personalised support, workforce development assistance and end-to-end engagement will help institutions shine in a crowded market

Jaimie Rush

University of La Verne

A lecturer explains a concept to students using a whiteboard

Connect with your students inside and outside the classroom

Empathy is essential for creating a supportive learning environment. Here’s how to cultivate compassion in your teaching and address common challenges faced by students

Philip Y Lam

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Viral Instagram post

The power of positivity: how a simple question went viral

The viral success of a social media post offers insights on how universities can use simple, authentic and emotionally resonant content to drive engagement and strengthen community

Andrew Lam, Riley Phillips

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Students sitting together in a library

What matters to students’ sense of belonging?

Using an intersectional and decolonial lens and fostering the formation of a discipline-specific identity are some of the ways to make belonging the cornerstone, rather than merely an outcome, of higher education EDI initiatives

Salma Al Arefi

University of Leeds

Measurement concept illustration

Assessment or measurement?

Authentic assessments and measurements serve distinct purposes in understanding student success in higher education. Here’s why equating the two can undermine the depth and quality of student learning

Heather Strine-Patterson

Virginia Tech

An illustration of a bot taking a human through a reasoning process

Beyond the black box: how DeepSeek could transform higher education

DeepSeek’s transparent reasoning process, accessibility, affordability and open-source model could have significant implications for higher education. Simon Wang explains how

Simon Wang

Hong Kong Baptist University

A robot hand using a calculator

How we reassure accounting students that AI won’t take their jobs

Hearing first-hand from industry professionals about AI’s impact on workplaces can alleviate career anxiety. Here is how to organise firm visits and prompt post-activity reflection

Multiple authors

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University , Mila University

Rope tying boat to dock

Universities must evolve from degree-granting hubs to social anchors

Higher education institutions can be incubators for ethical leadership, lifelong learning ecosystems and community partnerships, writes Rahim Somani

Rahim Somani

University of Northern British Columbia

A computer programming student working on her laptop

Authentic assessment design for computer programming master’s courses

A four-step plan for more meaningful assessment that incorporates AI-assisted evaluation, group discussions and presentations

Thomas Selig, Ling Wang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Asian student thinking

Brainstorming benefits of an AI writing assistant app

User needs, smart prompts and functionality were central to creating an AI tool that supports student writing and thinking. Here, Joanne Chia and Angela Frattarola share the pedagogical and technical considerations involved in the process

Joanne Chia, Angela Frattarola

Nanyang Technological University

An illustration of a university

How to reimagine an existing subject

Immersive technology and student co-creation allowed educators to revamp a general education course. Here’s how they did it

Kai Pan Mark, Wai Chi Rodney Chu

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

A young woman takes a deep breath at a laptop

Is authentic assessment leaving some students behind?

Does a more authentic assessment for some students mean an inauthentic experience for others? Here’s how to address this by adopting a student-focused lens

Sue Sharpe, Jennifer Z Sun

Australian National University, University of Sydney

Close up of a microphone

Make your annual report sing

An annual report is a useful tool for promoting your institution’s work. Here’s how to coordinate its publication and get it seen

Ana Fuster , Perla Téllez

Monterrey Institute of Technology

AI proficiency

Are you a jack of all GenAI?

Effective use of generative AI draws on a suite of skills that go beyond well-crafted prompts. Getting the best out of tech’s ubiquitous tool requires informed choices, field expertise, flexibility, diligence and a willingness to play

Einat Grimberg, Claire Mason, Andrew Reeson, Cécile Paris

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

A collection of tools

An AI toolkit for all aspects of academic life

Harness the power of technology to reshape the tasks that make up your day. Here are the best AI tools to use in higher education

Urbi Ghosh

Colorado State University Global

A teacher standing next to a blackboard

Want to teach during your PhD? Here’s what you should know

How to prepare for your first teaching experience, manage your time and keep students engaged in class

Marios Kremantzis, Rushana Khusainova

The University of Bristol

Robot and human hand

When to use an AI professor (and why you might not need one)

Selective embrace of artificial intelligence is key to its success in supporting student learning. Here, Leonard Ng Wei Tat shares lessons from building an effective AI teaching assistant

Leonard Ng Wei Tat

Nanyang Technological University

A frog in a pond

Rewild your campus

Intentional planting and water and soil conservation can encourage wildlife back to our campuses and create a rich learning environment

Deepta Sateesh

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Two researchers in white coats high five

The university support services that help demonstrate research impact

Library and knowledge transfer services are just two of the institutional resources available to help academics show the impact of their research. Find out which tools to use and when

Tugce Ataci

Université Paris-Est Créteil

Care concept

Building a culture of care to support students’ mental health

Mental health support is a community-wide concern, which includes easy-to-access counselling, staff awareness and training, an empathetic environment and community hubs, writes Amy Epperley

Amy Epperley

Virginia Tech

A robot hand ticking check boxes on a piece of paper

Get students on board with AI for marking and feedback

AI can potentially augment feedback and marking, but we need to trial it first. Here is a blueprint for using enhanced feedback generation systems and gaining trust

Isabel Fischer

The University of Warwick

A lecturer leads a seminar

Kickstart your educational research journey

Educational research can help elevate your teaching to the next level. Here’s how to get started

Oran Devilly, Kenan Kok Xiao-Feng , Ching Yee Pua, Shermain Puah

Singapore Institute of Technology

PhD supervision

Working in partnership with PhD students to enhance postgraduate research culture

With guidance on the REF 2029 assessment of People, Culture and Environment just published, how might UK universities’ approach to partnership with postgraduate research students demonstrate their engagement with the factors said to enable positive research culture?

Maisha Islam , Fabien Littel, Nandini Das

University of Southampton

Multiracial group of young people

Unlocking minority students’ potential with an asset model approach

How can we tackle the gaps in attainment and outcomes between racialised ethnic minority and white students? This resource shares best practice based on running positive interventions for black and South Asian students

Hemisha Harji, Gemma Francis

Loughborough University