How do universities work?

Information on how institutions function and some tips for success from staff at institutions across the globe

Two people putting jigsaw pieces together

Complex governance and a multitude of roles and departments make the inner workings of higher education institutions a mystery to many. So, how to decode the terminology, where does research funding come from, what are the keys to climbing the ladder and what exactly does a provost do? As well as answering these questions, this collection of resources delves into the roles that make up the workforce, some pathways to promotion, ways to recruit and retain staff and how to transform an institution on the brink.

The secrets to success as a provost

What does this multifaceted job entail and what qualities do you need to do it well? Steve McLaughlin decodes one of higher education’s most mysterious roles

Steven W. McLaughlin

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Roles and responsibilities

Group of professional people in a meeting

Confessions of an Athena Swan chair

Serving on an EDI or gender-equity committee can be not only rewarding but strategic for the advancement of your professional journey, writes Jana Sadeh. Here’s how to do it well, based on her experience

Jana Sadeh

University of Southampton

Collective concept

The vital role of a faculty senate in higher education

In the intricate ecosystem of a university, the faculty senate allows for democratic governance and academic integrity. Here, Joseph S. Merola explains why establishing this body is not an option but an imperative

Joseph S. Merola

Virginia Tech

Academics looking to move up the higher education career ladder might consider becoming a dean

How to become a dean

Paul Baines talks through the pros and cons of being a dean, plus the skills you’ll need to display during the recruitment process to get there

Paul Baines

University of Leicester

Professor smiling at the camera while writing something on a whitebord

What is tenure in higher education – and how to get it

For many scholars, permanent employment is the light at the end of a years-long tunnel. Here, Henry Reichman explains the US tenure system and why it is key to protecting academic freedom

Henry Reichman

California State University, East Bay

How to get promoted from an adjunct to a permanent position

Transitioning from an adjunct to a permanent position requires a multifaceted approach that combines teaching excellence, professional development, networking and a clear demonstration of commitment to the institution’s mission, writes Shruthi J. Mayur

Shruthi J. Mayur

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Keys to success

Image depicting institutional branches scattered around the globe

What determines the success of an international branch campus?

What do successful international branch campuses have in common? Nigel Healey outlines the key characteristics that institutions wishing to extend their presence overseas should take heed of

Nigel Healey

University of Limerick

Student standing outside a university building

How to transform a failing institution

Following the University of East London’s shortlisting for University of the Year award at the Times Higher Education 2023 Awards, Dean Curtis offers advice for driving positive change

Dean Curtis

University of East London

Teambuilding concept

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 Fricker outlines two programmes that meet the recruitment challenge head-on

Ron Fricker

Virginia Tech

Summit of Ha Ling Mountain with Rundle Range and Banff National Park, Alberta, Canadian Rockies in the background

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 article, he explains how the university undertook a historic overhaul

Bill Flanagan

University of Alberta

Colleagues having a conversation

The art of fostering collegiality

With responsibility to encourage collegiality in their domain but limited authority to make it happen, what is a department chair to do? Kevin Dettmar shares the uses and misuses of academia’s professional bonds

Kevin Dettmar

Pomona College

Advice for university staff on working successfully with HR

How can faculty ensure that all the touch points they have with human resources within their employee lifecycle are efficient, transparent and the best experience they can be?

Lisa Smith

University of Southampton

Important information

Filing cabinet with files labelled "funding" and "grants"

How exactly does research get funded?

Ever wondered how research funding works? Raghavendra U breaks down the entire process in this resource

Raghavendra U

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Magnet attracting hands

Why is recruitment and retention in the university sector more difficult than in other sectors?

Attracting and keeping the best people is a perennial issue for higher education institutions. Here, Jonathan Lord looks at how the pandemic impacted staffing and strategies for improving processes

Jonathan Lord

University of Salford

Calculator and hands writing down calculations on a desk

In trust, we trust: ensure transparency in university endowments

Endowment funds are important financial safeguards for universities, but transparency on how they are run and governed is an imperative. Here are some ways institutions can inspire confidence in these fiscal safety nets

Siri Terjesen, Ahmad Al Asady

Florida Atlantic University, North Dakota State University

Stanford University illustrating article about terminology for teaching and research in the US

Coming to terms with terminology: the basics of university teaching and research in the US

Looking to teach or do research in America? Angela Douglas explains the basic terms, acronyms and structures of US academia to ensure everyone is speaking the same language

Angela Douglas

Cornell University

Silhouette of a woman standing in a field with her arms outstretched

‘Resilience is grit amid uncertainty’

In this extract from ‘The Resilient University’, Freeman Hrabowski and co-authors offer the resources and mindset that higher education institutions need to develop to sustain themselves through challenges and crises

Freeman Hrabowski, Peter H. Henderson, Lynne C. Schaefer , Philip J. Rous

University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Three principles for leadership in academia

Reflecting on her personal journey, Catherine Moran shares the key guidelines that have shaped her leadership as a woman in higher education in times of change

Catherine Moran

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury