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…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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
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…
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…
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…
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 …
Say goodbye to boring presentations
GenAI can supercharge your PowerPoint presentations to offer students interactive opportunities that increase participation and deepen learning. Here’s how
‘We should focus on the effect of the technology rather than the technology itself’
How much tech is helpful in the classroom? Highlighting both benefits and drawbacks, John Komar explains how computer vision and AI can reinforce personal …
Navigating uncertainty with interdisciplinary teaching
The siloed approach to education – where students in technical, business, humanities and arts disciplines learn separately – is no longer adequate, writes Lisa McNair
Lessons from an interdisciplinary community engagement course for engineers
STEM curricula in the US don’t often expose students to perspectives on culture, history and power nor equip them with effective community engagement …
How civic arts programmes can make students feel welcome
Empowering students to co-create music events with peers can foster a sense of belonging in their university and city. Here’s how a student-community collective …
International research needs international research professionals
When researchers in poorer countries are expected to deliver programmes to the exacting standards of funders in the Global North, it makes international collaboration…
Scholarly publishers’ role in fostering collaboration in academia
With the infrastructure in place to exchange ideas and information, journals can enable scholars to build on their research and accelerate discovery and quality of…
What can module leaders learn from Toyota?
How to use the plan-do-check-act cycle to improve student success, satisfaction and grades
Active, flipped, micro, virtual learning: a toolbox for interdisciplinary teaching
Young engineers need interdisciplinary skills more than ever to communicate science clearly, both to inform the public and to protect shared resources such as …
How to build a citizen science research culture
Practical advice for building inclusive and innovative research cultures that prepare students for real-world challenges
Tackling declining attendance with the ‘show up’ mindset
A model that instils in students a commitment to ‘showing up’ from day one includes practical strategies for improving attendance and fostering long-term…
Three ways to ensure you are teaching for lasting societal impact
Multidisciplinary courses, applied learning and personalisation will all help business schools prepare graduates to serve the needs of the global community.…
Integrating sustainability into a financial and actuarial mathematics course
Advice on delivering sustainability-focused guest lectures in collaboration with industry experts and reinforcing learning with project-based assessments
Changing the climate of teaching: embedding sustainability into film and media studies
Research-led teaching can bring educators’ work and passions into the classroom, making topics such as climate change less overwhelming for students and linking learning…
From island to screen: marketing the campus experience to future students
When competition to attract students comes from other institutions, not just in your region but around the world, universities need effective marketing tools and a …
Researcher speed-dating: developing strategic collaborations with international partners
From meeting online to forming long-term relationships, researchers’ shared projects can foster stronger international partnerships between…
Enhancing the thesis experience: insights from master’s students
Early preparation is essential for students’ successful thesis journey – so postgraduate course coordinators and programme leaders should put supports in place from the…
Teaching region-specific political science courses: Hong Kong as a case study
Strategies implemented in two Hong Kong-specific courses aim to ensure students unfamiliar with the region remain as engaged in the learning process as local…
It’s time to embrace digital equity
Ensuring digital equity at your institution requires prioritising accessibility and championing digital literacy, among other initiatives
Engaging students through poster presentations: a case study
Read about how a poster presentation task can promote students’ engagement with course content and each other
Setting up an in-house mediation service at your university
Want to prevent conflict escalation? Make mediation a “first resort” option
How living with blepharospasm helped me become a better teacher
Read about a strategy that helped an educator living with an eye condition build emotional resilience and create a more inclusive classroom environment
The foundations of a successful knowledge transfer partnership
By collaborating with businesses, researchers can apply their expertise to real-world problems with tangible outcomes. Here, academics outline how they established…
Can non-assessed creative play help students develop confidence and critical thinking?
Supporting and enhancing students’ drawing skills improves not only their visual communication but also their mental health and well-being. Chris Wright and Zoë Allman…
How universities can use research to develop effective digital products
Tips on developing a user-led digital approach at your institution, based on the University of Exeter’s success
Using documentary film to communicate your social research
Film can humanise your research and make it accessible to an audience beyond your field. Here are five key takeaways from our experience of bringing…
Opening doors to computer science education
Ways to get more students from under-represented backgrounds into computer science, including offering joint undergraduate degrees and master’s degrees that …
How can Jenga build course co-creation?
Questions about accessibility led to events management students and educators using block towers to foster discussion of lived experiences and a sense of belonging.…
ChatGPT and other AI tools to use in the classroom
ChatGPT is a great starting point, but other tools can improve our students’ learning experiences. Read about a few here.
Joining hands across institutions makes light work
Communities of practice can help overextended faculty and staff maximise programme impact and bandwidth for career practitioners
What skills does the 21st-century medical educator need?
A faculty development programme for instructors must facilitate more than efficient knowledge transfer. Incorporating pedagogical innovation, digital …
Dreaming of tuī returning to campus
Collaboration between community groups, local government and university students has improved bird nest survival rates exponentially as part of a…
Strategies to move universities to net zero
How one institution is reducing energy consumption, developing low-carbon infrastructure and rethinking campus spaces to reach net zero
Time to write is a necessity, not a nice-to-have
How a project for academics to carve out writing time has grown from ‘power hours’ to writing retreats, community, increased well-being and higher-quality papers
Walls into walkways
Access to library spaces in preparation for exams is helping Dublin secondary school students find a pathway into university. Here’s how DCU Library has made them…
Retaining qualified IT staff is the key to cyber resilience
Practical guidance on training and empowering staff to maintain robust cyber-defences that protect students, the workforce and the institution as a whole
A toolkit for working with students as partners
Bringing the student voice into the creation of a toolkit to decolonise and diversify university reading lists was a key purpose of a library project at the University of…
Construction with the local community: how to manage estates projects in a built-up area
Dedicating resources to community engagement from the start is a key investment for the success of estates projects and future relationships
Developing a circular economy for the data centre industry
With collaboration and stakeholder buy-in, universities can help solve global issues such as reducing e-waste and the environmental impact of internet servers
Measuring the environmental impact of student relocation
A simple but robust tool and methodology can help universities calculate the carbon emissions from student travel when they relocate for study
The art of change: using creative research methods to solve the plastics crisis
Incorporating theatre, music and the visual arts as research tools complements analytical and qualitative approaches to environmental challenges – and goes beyond public…
How to include student voices in green campus initiatives
As centres of knowledge and innovation, higher education institutions have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to lead by example in promoting…
Ways to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset in students
Some practical tips to help nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs
A space where ideas can take shape in the creative arts
Out of writer’s block and research into the artistic process have grown a tool and a community to foster new work. Novelist Sue Woolfe describes how an …
Using GenAI tools to refine EAP assessment
There are several tools available to help English for academic purposes assess students’ writing skills. Here is some guidance on how to use a selection of them
Using emotions to boost learning
A professor explains how he leverages emotions to enhance students’ learning, using an approach called ‘mastering emotions in entrepreneurship education’
Online tests as a method of engagement in higher education
Continuous e-assessment helps students engage with course materials and reduce procrastination, and offers educators benefits such as automated marking
School Tasking: forget explosions, it’s all about the skills
Successful university outreach doesn’t always have to involve awe-inspiring explosions and colour-changing chemical reactions, but it should seek to hone key skills through…
Leveraging international collaborations to tackle global health challenges
Global health challenges such as cancer demand collective efforts that transcend national boundaries. Eli Vlaisavljevich shares how he leverages international collaborations …
Where there’s WIL, there’s risk
As demand for universities to support work-integrated learning rises, so does exposure to potential pitfalls such as personal injury and reputational harm. What can…
Teaming up with students to design sustainability education
Involving students as co-creators and mentors in sustainability courses can help address differences in their understanding as well as issues such as eco-anxiety
To demystify AI for your students, use performance
Updating Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein for the AI era helped students to understand the opportunities and limitations of the tool, in an engaging way. Here’s how to…
Developing a GenAI policy for research and innovation
Establishing a framework to guide AI use in research is vital for ensuring institutions are and remain fully compliant
Build healthy resident student communities with restorative practice
The integration of restorative practices within student residential communities can have a transformational impact
Closing the digital divide in higher education
A one-size-fits-all approach to digital literacy training simply won’t cut it; institutions need to tailor programmes to the varying needs of their staff
Students as co-creators in online learning
Offering students paid opportunities to be involved in generating and modifying online learning content could deliver novel experiences for learners, reduce academic…
How to capture the attention of new generations of dentistry students
From traditional lectures to seminar-based group work, the evolution over 20 years of a dentistry course shows how course design and pedagogy can adapt to students’…
Why university-wide curriculum transformation is a leap of faith
Overhauling an institution’s entire education curriculum is a silo-busting undertaking. Here’s what one university, now in its second year of implementation, has learned
How to help postdoctoral researchers gain experience in teaching
Early career researchers increasingly require teaching experience for job applications or promotion. How can we create opportunities that help postdocs gain educational…
How Mozart and the arts can help students feel less awkward
Music and dance give the post-Covid cohort low-stress opportunities to face each other in potentially antagonising – even agonising – set-ups.…
How to enhance teaching skills in a multidisciplinary environment
Technical challenges as well as the personal demands that teachers face make support programmes at higher education institutions all the more important. Here’s how…
A framework to develop communities of practice
Supporting communities of practice across an organisation can provide extraordinary benefits. Drawn from the author’s experience, these tips aim to build…
What simulations bring to teaching soft skills
Role play and immersive VR experiences can bridge the gap between theory and practice as students acquire – and teachers assess – skills in communication and problem…
Can AI offer everyone a personal tutor 24/7?
Generative artificial intelligence can trigger a certain amount of angst, but AI’s potential to support student learning should be explored, write Steve Hill …
How environmental issues can unite and inspire diverse student groups
Looking for ideas for next semester’s projects? Climate change could be the answer, whatever your students’ field of study, writes Jim Entwistle
Balancing career readiness and finances: the case for abbreviated internships
Internships give students professional experience, guide career choices and boost job market competitiveness. But what if students need higher-paying summer jobs or can’t…
RIP assessment?
How can educators make learning and human intelligence visible in the age of GenAI? Abby Osborne and Christopher Bonfield outline a model to rethink assessment…
Where’s Hector? How a scavenger hunt helps first-year students explore the university campus
A collaborative discovery activity has benefits that go beyond simply helping new students get to know the university grounds. It fosters belonging and fun – and …
An inter-university and interdisciplinary approach to dental education
A degree course that blends engineering and dentistry prepares students for their future practice. Here, Szandra Kormendi and Peter Hermann explain how it works
Tips on implementing a more agile and responsive assessment extensions process
Applying for and managing of extensions for certain assessments within higher education can be time-consuming and stressful for students and staff. Read …
What does it take to encourage students to use their voice?
The National Student Survey tells us students want their voices heard, but what if they don’t take up opportunities for feedback? Sam Perry looks at challenges of integrating…
‘Creative writing can be as impactful as an academic paper’
Grassroots initiatives can promote visibility of marginalised groups, self-expression and community, writes Emily Downes. Here are her key tips from running a…
Hybrid learning through podcasts: a practical approach
Adapting practice-based learning to a blend of synchronous and asynchronous delivery gives learners more control and creates opportunities for …
Can well-being programmes attract world-class talent to an institution?
Aside from competitive compensation, research support and faculty development, how can a university attract the best faculty candidates? Ron …
How to use 3D scanning technology to create virtual tours for your students
Here is how the University of Manchester is using 3D scanning technology to create virtual reality platforms that can be used in educational settings
Leverage large language models to assess soft skills in lifelong learning
Leadership and critical-thinking skills are difficult to measure. Here, Jonna Lee offers case studies that test the idea of integrating large language models into…
How students’ GenAI skills and reflection affect assignment instructions
The ability to use generative AI is akin to time management or other learning skills that students need practice to master. Here, Vincent Spezzo and Ilya Gokhman offer tips …
Using experiential learning to teach international relations
Using his experience as a case study, Adrian Man-Ho Lam outlines how to use experiential learning to improve students’ understanding of …
Charting the future: ChatGPT’s impact on nursing education and assessments
Interactive workshops and user-friendly guides can unlock the potential of ChatGPT in assessment and overcome initial hesitation around its use. Here, Dianne Stratton-Maher…
Using reflective practice to support postgraduate studies in the biosciences
Small-group workshops create space for postgraduate researchers to share ways to manage stress, impostor syndrome, feelings of isolation and student-supervisor…
How to train world-champion cardiologists
Competition, cooperation and continuity in talent support play integral roles in training and preparing medical professionals, and improving patient care, write three…
A framework to teach library research skills
Embedding library skills within disciplines allows teachers and students to link them to learning outcomes and research requirements. Here, a team of engagement…
Going for gold: how to craft a winning TEF submission
Teaching excellence rests on clear principles and agile strategy, collaboration with students and a frank approach to educational gain, write Emily Pollinger and Julian…
Creating an impactful social group for neurodivergent students
Meet-ups can support neurodivergent students (mostly those with autism and ADHD) to navigate the social complexities of student life and the workplace. Here,…
Sharing qualitative research through open access
Traditional open access repositories are designed for sharing quantitative data. But what about qualitative data – non-numeric information and concepts such as case …
Using storybooks to share research with a wider audience
Storybooks offer a collegial method of sharing research findings beyond the peer-reviewed journals of academia – and putting it in the hands of the people who can best use…
Making higher education accessible for students with unmet financial need
Rising costs of college leave many students struggling to afford higher education. And we know that enhancing the affordability of going to university is critical for…
A food pantry can help support your campus through the cost-of-living crisis
Food insecurity and hunger affect students’ mental and physical well-being as well as their academic performance. Karina Escobar, Fatima deCarvalho and Lauren …
Nourishing bodies and minds: the vital role of a student food pantry
The rising costs of education and living expenses leave many students struggling to stretch their funds to cover basic necessities. In this landscape, the university’s…
Support for faculty on long-term leave is a career lifeline
Institutions and academics both benefit when support frameworks are in place to help extended leavers back into work. Four educators offer a case study in what one…
Use design thinking principles to create a human-centred digital strategy
Creating a user-focused digital strategy requires the use of various channels, the adoption of design thinking principles and the involvement of students and staff from the…
Film storytelling can enhance learning in STEM subjects
In the era of social technologies, authentic storytelling becomes a powerful tool for cultural and social change, a fundamental role of higher education,…
Creating safe spaces for students to talk about financial difficulties
Poor financial health can lead to mental health difficulties and isolation for students. Here, Caroline Deylaud Koukabi and Joanna West offer tips for giving students…
How our Study Together programme promotes belonging and improves well-being
By offering students a space to meet, study and socialise outside the classroom, universities can improve engagement and reduce feelings of loneliness on…
Use Etherpad to improve engagement in large transnational classes
By leveraging technology to create an anonymous and collaborative space, educators can empower hesitant students to actively contribute and foster a more …
How to harness community knowledge to tackle complex policy challenges
Working with local communities can help uncover new insights to tackle complex social policy challenges. Saffron Woodcraft and Joseph Cook explain how to set up…
What we learned from a pilot study aimed at getting first-generation students into pharmacy
Many students have little knowledge of the role and career opportunities of a pharmacist. This is even more so the case for first-generation students
Fostering student co-creation to give back to the community
Engaging in local civic projects offers students meaningful learning opportunities, fosters co-creation and supports the community at large. Here, Martha Sullivan outlines the…
How to keep first-generation students engaged throughout the academic year
Engagement opportunities don’t end with orientation or even the first year of study. Here, Araceli Martinez and Athina Cuevas explain how to build a programme that …
We used a hybrid escape room to dramatically boost student attendance
Low class attendance has been a growing trend since the pandemic, so how can we encourage students to come back? Educators at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University…
A road map for advancing digital inclusion for your students, staff and community
A multi-departmental and collaborative approach to digital skills training has helped tackle digital exclusion at Staffordshire University. Raheel Nawaz explains the …
Building trust in research: how effective patient and public involvement can help
Involving patients and the public in research results in more relevant outcomes and gathers insight into what issues affect and are of importance to them and …
Community organising: a case study in parent engagement
Widening participation in higher education and improving the education journeys of young people cannot happen in isolation, writes Michael Bennett. Here…
Designing 24/7 hubs for students
What does it mean to create student-centric support? Here, Kieron Broadhead outlines the process and challenges in re-imagining a 24-hour student administration system
Using partnerships to establish and build on project success
From listening to the student voice to creating joined-up partnerships, success on major capital works depends on teamwork. Here, Dominic Wood outlines key elements …
Case study: how to do an independent evaluation on homelessness on six continents
From working with resident researchers to navigating local salary schemes, Suzanne Fitzpatrick offers lessons on how to carry out a large-scale international evaluation…
Embrace the chaos of real-world learning experiences
Unaccompanied student assignments abroad are a terrifying but essential part of the high-fidelity learning mix. Here, Jim Entwistle shares his four key points of …
Teaching business students how to prepare sustainability reports for SMEs
In engaging with small and medium-sized enterprises, universities can raise SMEs’ awareness of their own climate impacts. Here, Ven Tauringana shares a model …
How storytelling boosts environmental impact and engagement
Presenting sustainability research in a story – with a protagonist, goal and resolution – can bridge the gap between complex theory and real-world results for wider…
Bring the SDGs into the classroom through role play and gamification
A case study showing how simulations, role playing and gamification can develop students’ global citizenship and help grand challenges feel more surmountable
How to support international students’ smooth transition to a new country
Orientation is an ongoing process for international students, so welcome programmes need to extend further than a single day. Here, Mengping Cheng…
Dealing with abuse after public commentary
Communicating to the public can result in abuse of academics. Here, University of Southampton staff describe their experiences and provide tips on anticipating and…
Messy decisions and creative science in the classroom
How can we teach students other than those studying for healthcare or other vocational qualifications to work across disciplinary boundaries and make scientific decisions in a…
Transforming the classroom through experiential learning
A pilot programme aims to expand undergraduate students’ access to high-impact learning experiences to strengthen skills such as teamwork and problem…
How to combat the mental health crisis on campus
From staff training to nap pods and on-campus emotional support animals, universities have well-established and novel ways to help students to better mental health and …
Using the power of debate to enhance critical thinking
Asking students to analyse, defend and counterargue a contentious issue has proved an engaging way to teach reasoning and communication skills in organisational…
A case study in developing the next STEM generation
University ‘taster days’ can introduce teenagers to what global health research and advocacy might be like as a future career. Here four academics describe a pilot…
Why we need a new model for professional development credentials
Close collaboration between universities and industry can help higher education address the ‘skills emergency’ and rebuild trust in university qualifications, writes Mick…
Lessons learned from a fellowship year as a dentist and early career researcher
Winning a fellowship as a dentist and spending a year in Graz as an international scholar not only taught me about the profession but also fostered my self-awareness,…
Learning to learn: developing students into effective lifelong learners
Kevinia Cheung outlines an institutional approach to developing undergraduates’ ability to ‘learn to learn’
Using co-creation to make young people equal research partners
Based on her experience developing a youth panel, Kathryn Woods-Townsend explains how her team collaborated with, employed and learned from the…
Six lessons from facilitating a formalised mentoring programme
An institutional formalised mentoring scheme can offer invaluable career guidance for early- and mid-career academics. Here, based on 15 years of managing a…
Perfect doesn’t exist and other lessons from developing a whole-university well-being…
Challenges to staff and student well-being are part of university life, regardless of how much support is in place. But iterative strategies can improve the entire…
Using film to prompt discussion in legal studies
Movies and television programmes can challenge students’ perceptions and enrich their understanding of the law. But designing an effective module requires…
How supported social groups create safe spaces
Connecting students who share a lived experience such as bereavement, family estrangement or loneliness can help to foster a sense of community and belonging at…
A practical approach to tackling eco-anxiety
We induce eco-anxiety by teaching students about climate change, so training them in practical and achievable solutions to it are needed, too, write Helen …
Nudge technology can help students re-engage
Early-intervention initiatives to tackle student disengagement can be challenging to implement. A centralised, targeted approach using a communication nudge can…
A whole-campus approach to boost belonging for student success
Joint efforts among faculty, staff and students themselves can support first-year and transfer scholars to feel included and engaged, write Lorett Swank and Catherine…
Using VR to change medical students’ attitudes towards older patients
A five-minute virtual reality exercise has the power to dramatically shift students’ understanding of and empathy for dementia patients’ experience
Recognising First Nations through place: creating an inclusive university environment
Universities, as places of social good and inclusive education, have a responsibility to create environments that nurture and support learning of First Nations people, writes …
Undergraduate research to enrich teacher education
Designing, conducting and presenting a research project based on classroom experience can give students an early opportunity for critical reflection on their learning
How to make dual-enrolment programmes work
Dual enrolment can create student pipelines from high school to university, meet community education needs and improve retention and graduation rates. Here, …
A case for bringing ethics of friendship and care to academic research
Friendship adds ethical and emotional dimensions that can make research equitable, sensitive, responsive and consequential to local communities, writes Noam…
Co-creation as a liberating activity
How to use student co-creation to bring active participation and collaboration into the learning experience, based on insights from the Liberated Learners open…
Steps to address the operational challenges of widening participation
Well-being assistance, leadership development and mentoring opportunities are key to supporting students from under-represented groups. Here, Angus Howat…
From cohort to community: how to support student-led initiatives
Building a strong cohort starts with supporting students directly. Here, we, as student and staff co-authors in the humanities, share insights on how to encourage solutions…
How to sustain a journal and beat the academic publishing racket
Starting a journal is hard enough – keeping it going is an ongoing challenge. Here’s how to maintain success in academic publishing
Grow your own accessibility allies
The steps to making learning content accessible include identifying areas that need attention, overcoming barriers and recruiting allies to get the job done, writes Luke Searle
A colour matrix to make visual content more accessible
Accessible content is better content. One way to boost accessibility in visual materials is paying attention to colour contrast during the design process. Here’s a tool to …
What is authentic enquiry learning?
When students work in teams to examine a real-world problem, the result offers a means to bring teaching and research together. Here, Kate Black and Jonny Hall explain…
You wake up in a locked room… Using digital escape rooms to promote student engagement
Game-based learning can unlock students’ motivation to learn and develop skills such as critical-thinking, teamwork and problem-solving, as Steven Montagu-Cairns…
Charting a shared path to net zero universities
What’s been lacking in the decarbonisation journey is the ability to bring universities together to share best practices, resources and tools, so that pioneers in the area…
Creating a reusable takeout dish programme on campus
Want to reduce single-use waste at your university? In this guide for students and administrators, Rojine McVea offers tips for how to set up a reusable dish service based …
Power to the people through automation of peer support programmes
The management of large institution-wide programmes such as peer support can be improved and scaled with the help of automation, as Amanda Pocklington explains
How can universities get more school pupils enthusiastic about science?
Outreach in local schools and colleges is one way universities can work towards widening participation in higher education. Carl Harrington shares the …
Unifying theoretical and clinical education in a medical curriculum
A focus on practical competences comes with the risk that theoretical knowledge will be sidelined during the clinical years. However, two-way vertical integration of…
A campaign to communicate the impact of university research
With public perception of US higher education in decline, universities urgently need to send an engaging, integrated message about how their work benefits society, writes Paul …
‘I just wish all lecturers would use the VLE in the same way’
A consistent approach to blended teaching and learning across the whole institution can shift the student experience. Here’s a way to achieve it – from page…
A ‘grocery store’ model can help your campus food bank reduce waste
A move from pre-packed hampers can make university food banks more efficient and the space more welcoming – and build a stronger community. Erin O’Neil …
Advice for lecturers on how to keep students’ attention
Psychology-based rhetoric training is a way to help lecturers counteract the fall in students’ active attention span. This programme aims to give them speaking skills …
Individual consultations can help PhD students to complete their studies
Personalised consultancy gives assistance to PhD students and candidates to keep their momentum and build their academic careers, and it also helps instructors identify and…
How to support students considering self-employment
Not all students want – nor can they find in a challenging employment market – graduate jobs after university. Victoria Prince looks at what more faculties can do to…
Silence is golden when you ‘shut up and write’ together
How to build a supportive community of practice and peer learning through the simple practice of meeting online to ‘shut up and write’
Why we start undergraduate transdisciplinary research from day one
Hands-on knowledge discovery can give students the chance to put learning into action from the beginning of their studies, write Gray Kochhar-Lindgren and Julian Tanner
Raising aspirations: lessons in running a young scholars programme
Widening access to higher education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds is a priority for UK universities. Here, Valsa Koshy outlines lessons from a successful…
Restructuring a university, part one
When Bill Flanagan took the helm, the University of Alberta was facing a $222 million funding cut – 20 per cent of the university’s operating budget. In this two-part …
Restructuring a university, part two
When funding pressures made it clear that the University of Alberta had to change, it overhauled its entire way of working. Here, president Bill Flanagan explains how they…
How to write better awards entries
From conducting in-depth interviews to telling the whole story, Sam Russell provides top tips for crafting a compelling narrative that will appeal to awards panels
Using gamification as an incentive for revision
Novelty, competition and engagement give gamification an edge when it comes to getting students to revise. Here, Teegan Green, Iliria Stenning and Rasheda …
Phenomenon-based learning: what, why and how
Phenomenon-based learning empowers students to apply disciplinary knowledge to real-world situations. Here, Sue Lee and Kate Cuthbert outline the principles of PhBL and how it…
Student support takes a village – but you need to create one first
To support students from diverse backgrounds, universities should actively foster supportive communities. For the University of Auckland, this…
AI or VR? Matching emerging tech to real-world learning
Defining the problem can determine the best tech to deliver realistic training environments. Here is how one media lab demystifies technology-enabled learning…
Virtually writing together: creating community while supporting individual endeavour
Lessons in setting up and running a virtual writing group that facilitates individual and collaborative work through a supportive community of practice
Supporting LGBTQ+ aspiring leaders in universities
LGBTQ+ staff bring to campus qualities such as courage and sensitivity that are key to leadership. Now a UK programme aims to develop those strengths in future…
Making space for innovation: a higher education challenge
Risk, chance and disruption can be paths to innovative teaching practice. Here, Michelle Prawer offers ways to bring more flexibility into the classroom
Can online oral exams prevent cheating?
Online checking tools often flag non-suspicious behaviour along with suspected academic misconduct. Here, educators share lessons learned from using an online…
A help desk to protect intellectual property
How an intellectual property help desk set up by a university library team is helping inventors protect their work, with lessons on what has proven most effective
Autonomy, fun and other benefits of student-centred learning design
Putting students at the core of learning design can bring business and commerce studies to life, writes Guan Wang
A tool to navigate information overload
Shonagh Douglas shares a tool that directs students to the specific advice they need when searching through online resources and offers lessons in how to recreate similar aids…
How university leaders can use an ‘innovation for’ mindset to drive enrolment
For US colleges and universities, the key to turning around falling enrolment is to directly respond to concerns about affordability, accessibility and return on…
To improve the admission process, get faculty involved
Faculty collaboration with the undergraduate admission team can improve class participation, retention rates, course matches and funding yield – and help reduce…
The power of events to build belonging among students
XJTLU’s new Entrepreneur College had to work fast to build a sense of belonging among its first student cohorts, and one way it did this was by hosting a series …
Full circle: using the cycle of teaching, module design and research
How research, module design and classroom delivery in creative fields inform one another in circular and essential practices. Glenn Fosbraey shares his own…
Matching technology training to industry needs: a case study
Professional development courses, especially in rapidly developing technologies, must evolve to meet industry needs. Here, Daniel Garrote explains how his institution created a…
My experience of speaking in front of a select committee
Nicola Searle shares lessons for academics on speaking in front of a parliamentary select committee, to provide insight on topics linked to your research
A holistic approach to student support
Student support, particularly for care-leavers or estranged students, is vital throughout their university journey – from pre-application to beyond graduation. Here, Fran…
Peer mentoring to support staff well-being: lessons from a pilot
A peer mentoring scheme designed to support staff well-being is being piloted at Staffordshire University. Fiona Cust and Jessica Runacres share lessons on how the…
Decolonising learning through access to primary sources
Mathematicians have always looked at old problems in new ways. A database of original sources will give university-level mathematics students a global, historical view of …
Mini virtual writing retreats to support and connect tutees
A guide to organising mini virtual writing retreats each week to build a supportive scholarly community within a personal tutoring group
A model for deploying AI across a university and region
A new supercomputer, new faculty and partnerships with higher education and industry leaders helped the University of Florida transform itself into an AI powerhouse, creating …
A collective action framework to help Ukraine’s universities survive and rebuild
There is great potential for like-for-like aid among institutions during times of crises. Here are five lessons from a project that pairs institutions in Ukraine with…
How to train university staff to become anti-racist agents of change
Advice on supporting higher education professionals to become anti-racist agents of change, based on Adam Danquah’s experience doing so within his institution
A guide to promoting equity in HE for refugees and asylum seekers
Steps that universities can take to help refugees and asylum seekers access and successfully progress through higher education
Mix technology and personal contact to support students
A sophisticated algorithm and a simple phone call have proved to be a formula for student retention. And it’s not stopping as the pandemic recedes, says Jonathan Powles
Virtual mobility: a first step to creating global graduates
If universities are serious about creating global graduates, they must explore virtual opportunities to build confidence and enthusiasm for international travel, says …
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
Food for thought: advice for building a university-community collaboration
Planning and communication can turn good intentions into lasting benefits for students, faculty and the community. Joshua Gruver shares his advice for successful…
Flip the script: why listening is the best form of outreach
In aiming to widen participation, it’s easy to get lost in your own passion. Instead focus on understanding others’ needs – and keep it simple
How a sustainable internship programme can support social mobility
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds can remain on the back foot when entering the workforce. This programme offers higher education practitioners a…
Collective voices, zero tolerance
Universities can use their ability to engage with students to effect cultural change, as the Bystander Intervention initiative to combat sexual abuse has shown. Louise…
So, you want to reach out? Lessons from a ‘science for all’ programme
Public engagement in STEM strengthens research relevance and trust in science, but how can universities do it well? Here, the team behind S4 give three considerations…
Counter-mapping as a pedagogical tool
Engaging students with urban spaces can contextualise and deepen learning and bring in inclusive perspectives. Daniel Gutiérrez-Ujaque and Dharman Jeyasingham …
The practicalities of delivering a multi-institutional online workshop
Lessons from planning and delivering a multi-institutional online workshop for university teachers designed to find solutions to common educational challenges
Experiential education through a simulated summit to combat human trafficking
Advice on setting pedagogical goals and planning a simulated international summit to support experiential learning for remote students, by Clara Chapdelaine-Feliciati
How professional practitioners help connect crime theory with real-world investigations
Bringing professional practitioners into classes to share real-world case studies helps students contextualise learning and see how theories play out in reality. Paul…
Lessons from completing an award-winning knowledge transfer project
Eight key components of a successful knowledge transfer project (KTP), drawing from the experience of an award-winning initiative to develop an online teaching platform for…
In the loop: how formative feedback supports remote teaching
Weekly snapshots of how students see their own progress can help teachers adjust teaching methods in real time. An online tool piloted at Georgia Tech has…
Tutor training for architect-educators: twinning, observation, reflection and testing
Staff development and training for architecture tutors is very limited. This resource looks back at a tutor training programme that ran from 1996 to 2002, and draws…
Planning forward: whole system support for marginalised learners in higher education
Steps towards taking a whole system approach to developing higher education that supports marginalised learners, thinking inclusively from the outset
How to develop a code of conduct for ethical research fieldwork
A code of conduct for ethical research fieldwork developed by two researchers at the University of Oxford has been taken up by departments across the institution and…
Pedagogical wellness specialist: the role that connects teaching and well-being
Does faculty well-being affect student outcomes? Exploring this question in the wake of post-Covid burnout and trauma led UCI to create a new position that prioritises…
Bridges to study: how to create a successful online foundation course
Online access courses can enable more students who don’t come to higher education directly from high school to smoothly enter university. Here are tips for…
What’s the story? Creative ways to communicate your research
Early in your academic research, you should ask how you can creatively communicate it to a wide audience. The results may surprise you, says Steven…
A STEAM adventure: running a hybrid English immersion camp
Lessons in designing a hybrid English immersion camp that boosts language proficiency while developing key life skills
Creative projects as a way of bringing students together
An institution-wide creative project is an opportunity for students to make friends and learn from one another, writes Karen Amanda Harris. Here, she shares tips for …
Block to the future: why block scheduling has taken so long to catch on
Block teaching has been around since the mid-noughties, but those short-lived early trials were ahead of the curve. Simon Thomson and Carl Flattery explore …
Outside in: use your students’ curiosity to invigorate your teaching
Breaking up the classroom routine with field trips and visiting experts is an essential teaching tool. Here’s how university educators can use physical and virtual …
The role of complementary higher education pathways for refugees
Education has emerged as a pathway to sustainable resettlement for displaced people but establishing programmes requires leaders to overcome considerable…
Lessons in helping remote students obtain practical work experience
Universities face obstacles in helping distance learners access practical work experience. Ewout van der Schaft and Alex Mackrell share insight from initiatives at …
Education for humanity: designing learner-centric solutions for refugee students
Key tenets to successfully, and sustainably, designing university initiatives that support refugee learners around the globe using digital resources, based on five …
How to turn a PhD project into a commercial venture
Transforming a doctoral research project into a commercially viable product requires astute decision-making from the start. Manjinder Kainth and Nicola…
Increasing access to higher education for refugees through digital learning
In Lebanon, a project designed to increase access to higher education for Syrian refugees through digital learning has been piloted with success. Rabih Shibli shares lessons…
Helping refugees get their qualifications recognised
Tips for how higher education institutions and accreditation authorities can recognise refugees’ qualifications even when they cannot be fully documented
Embedding equality, diversity and inclusion within public policy training for academics
Steps higher education institutions can take to make their policy engagement training programmes as diverse and inclusive as possible, based on the…
Making undergraduate access to research experience transparent and inclusive
A barrier to research careers is accessing the relevant experience. Saloni Krishnan and Nura Sidarus outline a scheme that has helped a wider range of …
How a rich extracurricular campus life nurtures well-rounded individuals
Soft skills such as organisation, communication and networking are often developed outside the classroom. Here’s how universities can help their…
How we used a business management theory to help students cope with uncertainty
Uncertainty is a major challenge to mental health so a team at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University used a business management tool to help students cope with…
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
How can universities support Ukrainian students? Advice from a Polish institution
Rapid response actions that universities can take to support Ukrainian students and academics, based on the experience of a Polish institution
Blended professionals: how to make the most of ‘third space’ experts
Integrated practitioners – staff who bridge the worlds of academia and professional services – are increasingly important to universities. Here’s why this space …
How universities can support refugee students and academics
Afghan Chevening scholar Naimatullah Zafary, who was among the last people to be airlifted to safety from Kabul, explains how institutions can support refugee students …
Recruiting university tutors using an interactive group activity
Hiring candidates with strong academic results may seem like the best way to recruit tutors. But this does not always mean they will have the right attributes to …
Tackling climate change requires university, government and industry collaboration – here’s how
Universities must work with government and industry to drive climate action. Anna Skarbek outlines key principles that should shape the approach
The challenges of creating a multidisciplinary research centre and how to overcome them
How to overcome the challenges of setting up a collaborative research centre designed to break down institutional silos and structures
Revolving roles: creating inclusive, engaging, participant-led learning activities
‘Revolving roles’ is a simple, adaptable method for designing learning activities that challenge and change conventional ‘leader’ and ‘participant’ responsibilities,…
Asynchronous communication strategies for successful learning design partnerships
Asynchronous communication that builds rapport among university course designers and external edtech providers, explained by Rae Mancilla and Nadine Hamman in the first…
Developing a faculty-IT partnership for seamless teaching support
A simple way to ensure quicker and more transparent handling of technical hiccups that builds trust between teaching faculty and IT teams, explained by Xin Bi
Decolonising medicine, part two: empowering students
The decolonisation of medicine involves making students active agents of their learning and designing assessments relevant to the skills gained through the…
The evolution of activeflex learning: why and how
The evolution of activeflex learning as a way to keep students engaged online, and how to overcome problems when using this teaching model, by Mark Gale
Lessons for universities from using ‘bots’ in the NHS
Advice on how higher education institutions could apply Robotic Process Automation to improve efficiencies, based on lessons from its use in the NHS
A guide to using open educational resources: an experiential case study
The benefits of OERs to researchers and students in the Global South affect all levels of scholarship, from teaching to publishing, writes Innocent Chirisa
Catering to Gen Z’s needs: creating a flexible and adaptable education programme
Universities need to teach broad knowledge and skills that will help graduates adapt in a fast-changing future workplace. Three academics share insights from …
Mind the gap: creating a pathway for post-doctoral researchers to gain teaching experience
Postdoctoral researchers often struggle to secure teaching experience so institutions need to develop opportunities for these academics to support or lead classes. Ellen Bull …
Students supporting educators: are you harnessing the talent of your own graduates?
Employing students to support educators not only boosts overall digital expertise but elevates graduate employability, course design and the student voice
How to change the default settings that exclude women in sub-Saharan Africa from higher…
Angeline Murimirwa outlines the steps necessary to support young women from marginalised communities in sub-Saharan Africa into and through higher education
Embedding gender equality: building momentum for change
Eileen Drew explains how positive leadership, data-informed actions and priorities, mass engagement and collaboration all feed into a successful gender equality…
Widening access to postgraduate studies: from research to strategy to action
Providing equitable access into and through higher education is a constant battle, especially in postgraduate research, but barriers can be addressed when evidence is connected …
How to use storytelling-based assessment to increase student confidence
Carl Sherwood explains how to set up an authentic assessment task using students’ own contextualised writing
Accelerating towards net zero emissions: how to mobilise your university on climate action
John Madden provides insight on how universities can mobilise their intellectual and institutional capacities to accelerate towards net zero emissions
‘Embrace messiness’: how to broker global partnerships to tackle the Sustainable Development…
Annelise Riles and Meghan Ozaroski share advice on bringing universities around the world together to address global problems, such as climate change, by investing…
How to design early college programmes that foster success for under-represented students
David Dugger explains what an early college programme should focus on in order to improve outcomes for students from under-represented groups
How using digital workbooks can increase student engagement and help institutions go green
How to move from printed to digital workbooks rich with interactive content such as audio, video and quizzes, to improve online learning outcomes while boosting…
Working with student activists to speed up progress towards a sustainable future
Jaime Toney explains how working with grassroots student activists can help accelerate institutional action towards the Sustainable Development Goals
Unmasking the scientist: breaking down anonymity to build relationships when teaching online
Simple solutions to link students’ names to faces and build a rapport with individuals in your class when teaching online, by Kelly Edmunds and Bethan Gulliver
Online exams are growing in popularity: how can they be fair and robust?
Nicholas Harmer and Alison Hill share advice on using unique datasets to deter student collusion in online exams
Co-creating an interdisciplinary well-being module for all students
Elena Riva and Wiki Jeglinska explain how academics can work with students to co-create well-being modules that span multiple disciplines and support students’ self-care,…
Study trips and experiential learning: from preparation to post-trip reflection
Rebecca Wang outlines the key steps to take before, during and after a successful international field trip
Building an inclusive learning community to deliver a race equality curriculum
Ricardo Barker and Syra Shakir reflect on how to set up a curriculum that engages everybody in conversations about race equality
Lessons from organising a virtual international student camp focused on sustainability
Yhing Sawheny and Ashutosh Mishra offer advice on organising a virtual international event after bringing students together online to hone their …
Using community-based research projects to motivate learning among engineering students
Trithos Kamsuwan explains how community-based research projects can be used to motivate students, creating opportunities to apply principles they have learned …
Creating equitable research partnerships across continents
Shabbar Jaffar provides tips for successful international collaborations built on trust, appropriate recognition and inclusiveness in decision-making
Changing lives through community engagement and outreach
Josephine Bleach outlines questions that higher education institutions should ask to help them foster authentic community engagement that improves…
Talking about taboos: how to create an open atmosphere for discussing difficult subjects
Lindsay Morgan offers practical, step-by-step advice for removing barriers to addressing uncomfortable topics such as consent and menstruation
How to revitalise student knowledge exchange with local communities
How co-creating an ‘umbrella’ programme can help institutions innovate student knowledge exchange and improve engagement with local communities and…
Collaborative learning cases: a fresh approach to applied learning
A group of medical educators introduce a new teaching model being used to improve students’ ability to apply learning in clinical or real-world settings through…
Engaging students in applied research to tackle Sustainable Development Goals
Jen O’Brien describes a pedagogical project that engages students in applied research carried out in partnership with external organisations, related to the…
A model for developing global expertise in blended learning
Daniella Bo Ya Hu outlines a framework for building expertise in blended learning using lessons in capacity development, staff incentivisation and …
How a community of practice can foster virtual collaboration
Eugene Schulz and Dagmar Willems share insights and takeaway lessons from creating a community of practice for higher education instructors to develop virtual…
Generating immersive, large-scale teaching experiences in video games
Richard Fitzpatrick and Thomas Little offer insights for designing and developing immersive learning experiences using video games, based on their…
Students as educators: the value of assessed blogs to showcase learning
Assessed blogs can help translate the thrill of interactive learning into tangible outcomes that enrich and showcase students’ knowledge. Here’s how to do it
Make yourself presentable
Richard Gratwick sketches a course designed to develop students’ presentation skills, whether in person or online, using principles that are universal
Three lessons from exhibiting final-year projects online
Dechanuchit Katanyutaveetip describes three unexpected benefits he and his students discovered after they were forced to move the exhibition of their final-year projects…
Three steps to successful rapid-response civic engagement with students
Kathleen Riach outlines key lessons from successfully leading a rapid-response civic engagement project with students to help over 50s gain better digital access
Developing an educational app to engage students in the world around them
Niki Vermeulen and Kate Bowell describe a creative approach to place-based learning involving an app that offers educational walking tours linking students’ …
Co-creation of curricula with students: a case study
Eric Tsui outlines a method he uses to enhance student learning through the co-creation of new scenarios for curriculum development in their discipline
High tech and high touch: designing a bridging system to help students prepare for STEM studies
Karin Avnit, Victor Wang and Prasad Iyer describe how combining technology-supported learning with targeted face-to-face instruction helps ensure all…
It’s a game changer: using design thinking to find solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals
Rachel Bickerdike explains how using design thinking to find solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals can open up a new world of social entrepreneurship for students
Global virtual exchange: promoting international learning
Christopher Brighton presents a model of global virtual exchange that could be easily replicated at any institution to enhance its students’ intercultural knowledge and…
Making the most of online educational resources: a case study
Pascal Grange explains how online educational resources can be used to complement teaching and enhance students’ opportunities for learning
Using online coaching to support student well-being
Helen Duff explains how a human approach to providing support online, in the form of coaching sessions, can have a powerful impact on student well-being
Lessons from gamification to enhance students’ capacity for learning
Oran Devilly and May Lim share lessons from using gaming techniques to help students develop the learning traits needed to benefit from online teaching
Using tech to connect refugees with pathways to higher education: an emerging case study
Kate Symons and Georgia Cole share key lessons from a pilot project aiming to support refugees and learners from disadvantaged communities in Uganda into higher education
Greener assessment: transitioning to online marking
Universities should lead by example on sustainability issues, looking at what they can do to shrink their environmental impact. Here, Ling Xia and Yao Wu outline …
Lessons in developing digital capability courses for students
Gunter Saunders explains how to design courses that engage and incentivise students to gain the digital skills they need to flourish in the online learning environment and…
Sparking entrepreneurship online
Laura-Jane Silverman describes how LSE’s entrepreneurship centre created continued opportunity for innovation, collaboration and personal development…
Building peer support networks to help staff navigate digital teaching
Kay Yeoman and Alicia McConnell explain how the University of East Anglia has used peer support networks to ensure all university staff have access to the advice, …
Improving academic writing skills to boost student confidence and resilience
Academic writing skills are fundamental to most university courses. Andrew Struan explains how Glasgow has taken a whole-university approach to ensure all…
How I fostered multilingual student discussion in asynchronous online classes
Ioannis Gaitanidis explains how designed his asynchronous online teaching to foster the same level of spontaneous student discussion as his in-person classes
How to tackle fieldwork and real-world training online
Francine Ryan explains how the Open University law school offers real-world training and fieldwork through digital channels as part of its online courses
Creating online teaching principles that actually help faculty
Amanda Sykes talks about how to develop online teaching resources around a set of simple guiding principles that are immediately accessible and helpful for faculty trying …
Creating a centralised advice resource to help faculty adapt to new teaching modalities
To assist staff in adjusting courses to new online and hydrid teaching modes, the University of Arizona created a centralised information and advice resource. Here is a…
How to support staff across all departments to design quality online courses
The sudden shift to online forced university staff to rethink and redesign classes often with little experience or knowledge of remote teaching. Helen Carmichael…
Innovative approaches to moving practical learning online
A major challenge of the move to remote learning has been how to teach practical subjects. Here, Lesley Saunders and Lucy Kirkham discuss how they adopted a…
Socio-emotional learning online: boosting student resilience and well-being
The Covid-19 crisis has led to worsening mental health and increased stress among students. Kathleen Chim talks about how the Open University of Hong Kong has tried to …
How Duke Kunshan University transitioned to online learning in two weeks
Faced with the rapid spread of Covid-19 on its doorstep, Duke Kunshan University in China decided to move all its teaching online in just two weeks to finish the third …
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