The 10 most popular Times Higher Education stories of November 2014

Each month, we round up the 10 most popular Times Higher Education articles.

November’s highlights include the results of the 2014 Times Higher Education Awards, some bad news for PhD students looking for their first job, and a spirited defence of the humanities.

10. University and College Union accepts the end of the final salary scheme, but row about alternative continues (13 November 2014)

Tensions remain high as marking boycott over pensions reform continues

9. Wendy Purcell returns to Plymouth University but not as chief executive (10 November 2014)

David Coslett to run university as vice-chancellor takes on ‘strategic portfolio’

8. Universities UK obstinacy “has forced UCU marking boycott”, says UCU general secretary Sally Hunt (6 November 2014)

Sally Hunt explains why union members are taking action this week over changes to pensions

7. Times Higher Education Awards 2014: Edge Hill named University of the Year (28 November 2014)

The Lancashire institution picked up the coveted title at the THE Awards 2014, attended by more than 1,000 staff from universities and colleges across the UK

6. The (predicted) results for the 2014 research excellence framework are in ( November 2014)

Research team hopes that predictions will help to clarify the value of metrics in assessment

5. The University of East Anglia’s Sarah Churchwell on why the humanities matter (13 November 2014)

Ahead of the Being Human festival, the professor of American literature considers their importance

4. Are UK degree standards comparable? Our cover feature investigates (13 November 2014)

Without a system for sharing assessment practice, it’s nonsense to assume that a 2:1 is the same everywhere, says Chris Rust

3. There are hundreds of PhD students chasing every early career post at some universities (13 November 2014)

THE study reveals intense competition for roles at Russell Group universities, despite new openings for those seeking a research career

2. University life: which works of fiction are most telling? Our feature on books that capture truths about the higher education sector (20 November 2014)

John Sutherland, Sarah Churchwell and others pick books that capture truths about the sector

1. Imperial College London to “review procedures” after death of academic ( November 2014)

Colleagues say failed grant applications had made Stefan Grimm fear for his job