Careers

The great and the good of higher education cast their minds back and consider what wisdom they would impart

Four archetypal career tracks exist for business school academics − management, research, academic entrepreneurship and teaching − and you probably need to choose one

Civilised adults should not have to demonstrate that they can stand up to bullying before being offered a job, says an anonymous academic 

No matter how hard they work, thousands will be dumped out of the labour market during the pandemic, say Harry Pettit and Alexandra Dales

Today is World Mental Health Day, and Matthew Flinders argues that although changes in individual behaviour can help, systemic change is really needed to ease the mental health burden on academics

Early career scholars, seasoned academics and institutions themselves all benefit from the creation of alumni affinity groups, writes Gretchen Dobson

Traditional forms of assessment, such as exams and essays, are largely irrelevant once students arrive in the workplace – we need new methods that relate to jobs, now more than ever

Science communication experts reflect on how scholars can improve their public speaking skills

After 20 years working as a quantity surveyor, Tom Woodbury shares his key discoveries since starting his first academic role in May

The grand achievements of those who came before are often held up as inspiration for current members of the academy, but a more nuanced view might be required

A willingness to lie and manipulate beyond what most people can imagine can do wonders for a career, notes Irina Dumitrescu

The normalisation of burning out should no longer be accepted, say academics who have experienced it, particularly with coronavirus exacerbating the problem

From collecting student feedback often and early to alternative assessment methods, four experts from across the globe advise how to switch to online teaching mid-course

Simone Buitendijk emphasises that efforts to improve diversity must not be left to under-represented groups as she takes top job at Yorkshire powerhouse

It makes no economic sense for job-retention schemes to postpone the inevitable, says Paul Oslington

With the pandemic triggering greater emphasis on class time, something has to give as teaching-research model collides with sector’s ‘real-world’ problems

Those planning new universities might think that a good institution will attract top staff wherever it is located. But is the quality of the environment beyond the ivory tower really so insignificant – and has the pandemic changed the calculus? Paul Jump runs through our survey results

Though it’s tiring and challenging, some scholars believe their time in online teaching may make them better university educators, reports Jack Grove

Covid-19 offers universities a chance to accelerate the transition towards a more digital, open and inclusive research environment, says Cisca Wijmenga

Dread of ‘selling out’ and heroic figure of ‘struggling artist’ cause many creative arts graduates to persist with dead-end jobs rather than maximising their skills in alternative careers, says Martha Bloom

Anna McKie speaks to three experts about why unconventional assessment can revolutionise students’ outcomes − and how to do it

Academic endorsements cast little light while entrenching privilege, says Vincent Hiribarren

The Research Australia report has exposed the fault lines in health research funding, says Ross Coppel 

Teaching-focused institutions need to concentrate on the aspects of faculty research that contribute to the student experience, says Neil Clarke

Research reveals that focus on ‘individual excellence’ in academia isolates disabled staff   

Study attributes women’s feelings of unpreparedness at time of appointment to lack of confidence

An oft-overlooked component of the research process is that simple little thing called leadership, says Matthew Flinders

Most doctoral candidates show ‘clear preference’ for academic career despite high exit levels from sector, finds Higher Education Policy Institute study

But auditing such efforts will be difficult, while unintended consequences are always a risk, warns Athene Donald

Finding your feet at a new university in lockdown can be tough. Jack Grove spoke to some recent starters about how universities can help their new staff

Questions raised about the responses of universities in marketised systems as they focus savings efforts on non-permanent staff

At a time of upheaval, early career researchers need more support than ever. Here, three experts offer their advice on mentoring when online is the only option

Who will be the winners in the post-pandemic academic job market? Three experts reflect on the skills that will be prized in the ‘new normal’

It is time for those most vulnerable to huddle together in solidarity, says Tian An Wong

Survey of users on academic social network suggests many are finding more time to strengthen international ties 

Varying personal circumstances highlight the need for accommodations that outlive the coronavirus, says Phil Emmerson

Swift decisions are needed on contact hours, attendance and assessment, says Benjamin Tak Yuen Chan 

Denying legitimate authors their fair share of credit amounts to academic misconduct, says David Sanders

Latest data also suggest a fall in the absolute numbers of younger EU academics working in the UK

Finding writing partners online can impose some productive accountability, says Alice Kelly

Good online pedagogy is all about readability, comprehension checks – and endless clicks, says Nicholas Murgatroyd

Despite boasting years of experience in industry, scholars with professional backgrounds can find it hard to get ahead

Even women with identical performance ratings to men suffer large pay deficits. This must be fixed, say Ann Brower and Alex James

Removing biases in the system may not be enough to achieve a truly equal gender balance, says Sun Young Lee 

Impersonating the Messiah is apparently a necessity for funding success – but it’s hell, says Piers Kelly

Mary Beard’s recent admission that she is a ‘mug’ who works 100 hours a week caused a Twitter storm. But how hard is it reasonable for academics to work? Who should decide? And should the mugs be obliged to keep quiet? Seven academics have their say

The wildlife veterinarian discusses balancing the academic and field-based elements of her career, unfortunate smells and misconceptions about zoos

The ecologist with more air miles than most on alternative pathways to the professoriate, Australia’s natural boom-bust cycles and whether there is hope for the platypus

Long after they have finally landed a full-time job, many academics still find themselves feeling insecure and guilty, says Rachel Moss

The award-winning junior researcher on his love for experimental projects, communicating bold ideas to the public and how universities can foster creativity

Excessive criticism reflects a dearth of research funding and space in top journals. But peers needn’t play ball, says an anonymous academic

The artist and King’s College London fellow discusses the relationship between research and art, and how climate change is reshaping her work

With careers riding on young scientists’ position in author lists, friction is all too common. A snowballing initiative to list authors’ contributions aims to make sure credit is always given where it is due. But will it be enough to ease the angst? Jack Grove is first author

Reversing the relationship between authors and publishers would ease perverse incentives that impede progress, say Hilal Lashuel and Benjamin Stecher

The president and dean of the Asian Institute of Management tells Joyce Lau that being an introverted leader and a minority has taught her empathy

Cornell-based centre asks candidates to assemble in teams and submit joint proposals to boost collaboration

Irina Dumitrescu’s tips for ‘upward toxicity’ was THE’s most-read article of 2019. But it doesn’t have to be this way, says John Tregoning

Proposals include new job classifications, a rolling back of metrics, and shorter publication lists in a bid to end excessive ‘emphasis on research performance’

Jonathan R. Goodman is wrong to blame bibliometrics for stifling academic debate, says Craig Aaen-Stockdale

Growing numbers of academics struggle to combine work and personal care responsibilities, according to research by Marie-Pierre Moreau, who explains how universities can help