Feature article

Hands typing on a laptop keyboard

The unexpected benefits of academic blogging

Academic blogging can open doors to collaboration and career growth. Discover its benefits, and learn how to build a culture that supports it.

Jenny Scoles

The University of Edinburgh

News cycle concept

Keeping your research relevant in an accelerating news cycle

When publishing is slow but world events move quickly, how can scholars ensure their work will be read and cited and contribute to academic discussion?

Yasmin Y. Ortiga, Jenny Gavacs

Singapore Management University, Whetstone Editing

Students sit an exam in a classroom

Test students’ understanding, not their memory

Exams have become more about students’ ability to recall answers to questions asked in past papers rather than testing their understanding of the knowledge they gained. Here’s how to challenge their cognitive ability instead

Apurav Krishna Koyande

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

Young Asian female students giving presentation

Machine v human skills: what do we teach now?

Human-centred abilities such as curiosity, adaptability and self-reflection are rising in importance as AI threatens to automate routine tasks. Here are ways educators can prepare students for the workforce of the future

Lynda Wee

Nanyang Technological University

Advice on purposefully creating a sense of belonging among black students in majority white universities

How can we support Black neurodivergent students?

Black neurodivergent students face distinct barriers at the intersection of racism and ableism, so here are ways universities can go beyond generic policies to offer truly inclusive, intersectional support

Patrice Seuwou

University of Northampton

Colleagues laugh together over a laptop

Eight ways to embrace AI’s flexibility to bring different teams together

AI has rapidly moved from the domain of computer science into the daily lives of university staff and academics, but are we joining up the changes happening across higher education? Find out how to use it to break down boundaries between teams

Lakshmi Goel, Yassine Benrqya

Al Akhawayn University

Trauma-informed practice

What trauma-informed practice can learn from EDI in higher education

Equity, diversity and inclusion work reminds us that trauma doesn’t occur in a vacuum. Here are insights from EDI that can enrich trauma-informed practice

Maree Martinussen, Sarah O’Shea

Charles Sturt University

Two women laugh together over a notebook

Business schools should go beyond the classroom for social impact

To meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals, business schools should consider hands-on community projects which also boosts students' employability and give them a sense of purpose

Sobia Razzaq , Kumari Juddoo , Sheeja Sivaprasad , Sudha Mathew

The University of Westminster

Illustration of man doing hurdles

‘An academic career is not a heptathlon’

The secret to establishing a career in academia is focus and deliberate choices, whether the path is into research, teaching or impact. Here, Robert MacIntosh explains why persistence and planning are more important than ever

Robert MacIntosh

University of the West of Scotland

A plant being watered by a watering can

How to run a bursary scheme for your students with no admin support

How one lecturer launched and ran a career development bursary with no administrative support, using digital tools and smart workflows to keep the process efficient and effective

W. Victoria Lee

The University of Edinburgh

A library book being removed from a shelf

Roles in higher education libraries: an explainer

Libraries are changing with the times – and so is the librarian’s role. Here’s how librarians are specialising in the digital era

Chris Chan

Hong Kong Baptist University

Illustration of female scientist in a lab

When a scientist becomes an inventor

A novel scientific discovery can catapult a researcher from the bench to being an entrepreneur. Here, Greta Faccio shares considerations for next steps in commercialising an invention

Greta Faccio

Independent consultant

An illustration of a robot soaring upwards on an arrow

Leading a personal development review? Think about GenAI for scholarship

With personal development reviews taking place over the summer, perhaps this is the moment to focus on how teaching and learning practitioners are using GenAI for efficiency in terms of scholarship

Steve Briggs

University of Bedfordshire

Nursing students in class

Case-based discussion as an authentic healthcare assessment method

Case-based discussion has been well received as an assessment method. Here are other reasons to use it, along with tips on how to make it work well

Multiple authors

The University of East Anglia

A small girl points to a test tube

How to bring university science into primary schools

Engaging primary-school-age children with STEM will help them to think critically and develop informed opinions for the rest of their lives. Here’s how to do it

Farah Jaber-Hijazi

University of the West of Scotland

Three young multiracial female scholars in library

Why university libraries should not overlook research staff

Research assistants and postdocs offer specialised skills and an agile approach to new methodologies, so libraries have much to gain from recognising them as strategic partners

Bella Ratmelia

Singapore Management University

An illustration of various employees tapping into AI

A four-part framework to categorise AI tools for research

How to use AI tools to assist in research, for each phase of the process

Eric Tsui

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Cybersecurity, hacker concept

How not to fall victim to a cyberattack

Where is your university vulnerable to ransomware or access via a third-party provider? Here are ways to reduce risk and maintain security across your IT network

Nicole Stewart

Jisc

Detail statue in Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy

How to write even when the words won’t come

Books, articles and grant proposals do not arrive in a single stroke. They are created, like sculptures, through a thousand small movements. Here, Catherine De Vries explains how to develop ‘skill power’

Catherine De Vries

Bocconi University

A virtual illustration of a book guides a student working on a laptop

What do students want from AI-assisted teaching?

In an age of AI, educators and students need ways to ensure the technology complements learning rather than detracts from or homogenises it

Omar Merlo , Nai Li

Imperial College London

Collaboration concept

Collaboration is a quiet evolution for bold impact

How can universities drive global progress through creative collaboration with private sector partners? Brandy Salmon shares lessons for university leaders

Brandy Salmon

Virginia Tech

A library shelf

What does the future hold for library spaces?

University libraries are evolving fast. From inclusive design to sustainability, here’s how institutions can rethink spaces to support future learners and diverse needs

Kate Marshall

Nottingham Trent University

Scientists work in a lab

Bridge the gap between knowledge and solutions with industry partnerships

Academic and industry partnerships can help both sides achieve more than they could alone. Here’s how to build a relationship for long-lasting collaboration

David Parker

Hong Kong Baptist University

UK innovation concept

What does the UK’s spin-out ecosystem need to thrive nationwide?

Despite their abundance of research and expertise, UK academic institutions lack mechanisms to encourage and incentivise movement between academia and industry, particularly within the spin-out community, writes Richard Hague

Richard Hague

University of Nottingham

Young man writing resume on laptop

Turning skills into stories: how longitudinal skills portfolios enhance student employability

Universities are adopting reflective digital tools to help students connect their learning to graduate skills. Here’s what they’re doing and why it matters now

Cat Bailey

Jisc

A business professional shakes hands

A guide to building lasting partnerships between students and industry

How can universities bridge the gap between students and their future employers? Bring real value to both sides with these tips

Amy Pyle, Dan Robinson

Loughborough University

A group of students working on a project together in a classroom

Three ways to get students using GenAI in project-based learning

How to use project-based learning to address ethical concerns and improve students’ AI literacy, including key questions to ask yourself before introducing the tools

Ka Ho To

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A toilet cubicle

Equality on campus starts in the toilets

With diversity, equity and inclusion policies under threat, there’s a simple and cost-effective change universities can make for a trans-inclusionary, accessible campus

Deanna Grant-Smith , Anne Hewitt , Loki Maelorin, Chisom Ihekwaba

The University of Adelaide, University of the Sunshine Coast

Industry-academia partnerships concept

The alchemy of promoting partnerships between higher education and industry

With the promise of technological innovation and demand for talent, universities and industry have much to gain by working together. Brandy Salmon shares advice for developing sustainable, impactful industry collaboration

Brandy Salmon

Virginia Tech

Top down view of colleagues sat around a table planning

Bring your institutional goals to life with project-based planning

Project-based strategic planning transforms the traditional approach by focusing on iterative, measurable actions tied to specific projects, all aligned with broader institutional objectives

Catherine Wehlburg

Athens State University

Forget climate anxiety – let’s foster climate confidence

Combine research and administrative duties to tap into how students are feeling about climate change – and use your findings to help them gain the skills, and confidence, to tackle it head-on

Léa Chambaudet

Université Paris-Est Créteil

Blocks showing two-way communication

Cut through the noise with impactful internal communications

Internal messaging needs to reach the right people and inspire action – whether that’s getting responses to a staff survey or changing recycling behaviour. Here, Kelly Hibbs explores practical strategies to build trust and clarity

Kelly Hibbs

University of Southampton

A teacher at the front of a class full of students

Just call me Alex! Why dropping the ‘professor’ could boost students’ confidence

When students are allowed to address teachers by their first name, it can calm nerves and encourage even the quietest voices to join the conversation

Multiple authors

The University of Edinburgh

A robot hand types at a laptop

What happens when AI writes the appeal

As students increasingly use generative AI to craft assessment appeals, university staff face new challenges in maintaining the integrity of academic feedback. Here’s how we can adapt to preserve meaningful learning relationships in the face of optimisation

Jonathan Boymal

RMIT University

Trademark on a stamp

When should scientists think about trademarks?

If your discovery has commercial potential, you will need to think about what to call it when it reaches the market. Here are three considerations about trademarks and protecting your intellectual property

Greta Faccio, Marion-Sima Wössner

Independent consultant

Captian Knowledge comic image

Using comic format to make research more accessible

Comic literature can make research more inclusive and engaging for those outside academic circles. Learn how to plan and create your own

Chris Johnson

University of Chester

An author looks at a delivery of books

How to promote your book with confidence

Promoting your book or research paper requires different skills from those needed to produce it. Here’s everything you need to know

Elinor Potts

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Two teachers at the front of a class full of students

‘Here’s what not to do’: a participatory method to develop interview skills

See what happened when educators used role plays to dramatically demonstrate poor interview practice, encouraging students to analyse and suggest improvements

Multiple authors

The University of East Anglia

Artificial intelligence in the university library

AI skills for tomorrow’s university librarians

University librarians need to understand how to guide students and faculty in using AI tools ethically and effectively. In the future, they will be not only information experts but also AI facilitators. Yinlin Chen offers advice on laying the groundwork

Yinlin Chen

Virginia Tech

Arms wave international flags

A practical guide to creating a linguistically inclusive classroom

Here’s how to embrace the cultural and linguistic perspectives of your students and prepare them to thrive in an interconnected world

Eilidh Singh, Amanda Wallace

Simon Fraser University

A group of students having a discussion in class

How to use think-pair-share to improve classroom discussions

Educators can modify the think-pair-share strategy to help students craft more detailed responses and take greater ownership of discussions. Learn how

Xingyi Ouyang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A student wears headphones while on a Zoom call

Why mattering matters in practice education and leadership placements

Make students feel they matter in non-clinical facing placements to create the authentic and compassionate leaders the healthcare sector of the future needs. Here’s how

Helen Carr

Canterbury Christ Church University

Team of engineers working on an engine

How partnerships with business are evolving to support student employability

‘Intrapreneurship’, interdisciplinary degree pathways, student-led projects and early engagement are all ways universities can move industry collaboration from partnership to co-building

Saurabh Sinha

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury

A student filming herself on her phone

The dos and don’ts of bite-sized social media content

Learn how to create honest and authentic content that showcases community and creates a sense of belonging – invaluable for both prospective and current students

Amy Edwards, Sarah Markillie

University of Chester

A doctor takes notes on a clipboard

Build better doctors with programmatic assessment

Programmatic assessment offers a better way to train doctors, making them more resilient and giving them the tools to manage their own professional development. Gozie Offiah explains how it works

Gozie Offiah

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Airport arrival sign with welcome in English, French and Italian

How to strengthen onboarding and integration for international scientific talent

Welcoming faculty from another country requires more than adding visa information to the domestic induction process. Joanna Daaboul shares how her institution helps international researchers settle into life in France

Joanna Daaboul

Université de Technologie de Compiègne

An academic conducting research on her laptop

How I use social media as a research tool

Drawing from her autoethnographic experiences, Bhawana Shrestha discusses how she uses social media platforms to deepen collaboration, enrich methodology and widen participation in research

Bhawana Shrestha

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Students respectfully debate an issue in the classroom

Don’t fear conflict in the classroom: foster respectful discussion instead

How do we have meaningful conversations about divisive topics, while dealing with the emotions these debates may spark? Lea Sitkin outlines several strategies to give students the space to explore issues they care about

Lea Sitkin

The University of Westminster

Students working as a group in the library

The library’s role in reducing the attainment gap

Read about strategies aimed at closing attainment gaps, such as peer mentoring, inclusive resources and academic skills training to support students

Multiple authors

Nottingham Trent University

Podlocked book

Strategic silencing: how censorship is reshaping scholarly discourse

Restrictions to US databases and scholarly work mean that researchers need new approaches to navigate research absences and silences rather than the more typical information overload, writes Alison Hicks

Alison Hicks

UCL