The newsroom blog

Universities whose names are bywords for quality will stand out amid market noise, writes Phil Baty

The stratospheric sums pocketed by university bosses make little sense, but nothing about salaries makes much sense

While it is important to reassess behaviour and power dynamics through a post-Weinstein lens, it is harder to make the case for deleting work from the academic record

A Twitter poll on whether or not lecturers should ever comment on students’ attire attracted almost 400 responses, but the replies quickly became more complex than just ‘yes’ or ‘no’

After tweeting an anecdote of an academic responding to her email the same day as their child was born, Rachael Pells was surprised by the response from other academics on Twitter

That the role of higher education is so often misunderstood or misportrayed, even in institutions, means much good work goes unremarked

Matthew Reisz considers the insights of the former LSE director who has a foothold in both the UK and France

Relatively liberal eras cannot restrain subsequent authoritarian regimes, but we can teach societies to see through propaganda, writes Paul Jump

Higher education institutions are vital not just to research and economic growth but also to ensuring the health of liberal democracy on the continent

Suspected spies posing as professors have hit the headlines in recent months. Matthew Reisz considers academia's long – and ongoing – entanglement with espionage

While their credentials are not in dispute, institutions could have their teaching and research undermined by a crisis in morale

Universities need to raise funds from potentially mercurial financial markets without losing sight of their long-term missions. It’s a delicate balance

Academics see the OfS, like the changes in USS pensions, as another attack on them and the cherished compensations of their profession

There must be greater permeability between universities and tech giants if we want to protect data from corporate interests and use it for the public good

In view of recent revelations of abuse in several industries, networks such as an academic sisterhood could offer vital support and solidarity

Universities need to confront, rather than ignore, uncomfortable questions about the worth of higher education to be in with a fighting chance

With state intervention back in vogue, and publishers’ profit margins still sky-high, journals could be the next monopoly to come under scrutiny

The crisis in student mental well-being is no secret, but academics too feel overwhelmed by the demands on them. Universities cannot ignore their plight

Market forces unleashed on the UK university sector have pushed up senior pay, fuelled the rows over it and posed questions about ‘value for money’ that are shaping the future of universities

Launching the post-18 education review in Derby tells you all you need to know about why yet another look at HE is vital for the prime minister’s political future

Ignore the politicians’ jibes: history is crucial to develop critical minds, make sense of the present and prepare people for the future

Universities’ demands are taking too great a toll on individuals’ health and happiness, as our first work-life balance survey shows

The plans for SUSTech capture the boldness of the country’s ambitions to create in years universities that can match century-old powers

Knowledge exchange sits low on academia’s menu, overshadowed by meatier mains, but could the assessment of universities’ third-stream activities tempt some to make it a signature dish?

Cabinet reshuffle offers universities the chance of a relationship reset before they are likely caught in the first swell of a global wave of funding reviews

Matthew Reisz meets the scholars for whom one discipline is not enough

Criticism of academic sisterhood survey gets to the crux of the matter that the resulting article will explore, says Holly Else

A precise breakdown of foreign learners’ contributions to all areas and sectors of British life could help finally move the group out of the net migration count

Chris Parr looks at the issues that THE's Twitter followers think the new universities minister should be tackling

Funding, Brexit and the growing power of China are among key issues to watch in 2018, say sector experts – but there is a glimmer of optimism, too

Chris Parr runs through 11 of the best 2017 Christmas videos from university leaders

The past year has seemed one of almost daily shocks and surprises for higher education, which THE has divulged, documented and dissected

Chris Parr reveals the 25 Times Higher Education stories that received the most views during the last 12 months

Outrage over vice-chancellors’ remuneration has focused on individuals – but the buck stops with governors

Phil Baty asked his Twitter followers what they thought of government plans for two-year undergraduate degrees, and they did not hold back

Inequality remains a pernicious problem at our elite universities. Failure to tackle it will have negative consequences for individuals and society at large

In the rivalry to make the next scientific breakthrough, collaboration is key. But the UK’s post-Brexit course only undermines its competitive standing

Faith in private-sector innovation has driven Conservative reforms under both Willetts and Johnson – but is that really what universities need?

Just like Hollywood and Parliament, academia has entrenched power hierarchies. It can’t pretend that sexual harassment doesn’t take place

Jisc has revealed its top social media superstars of the year, writes Chris Parr

UUK International wants every UK university to join its ‘Go International’ campaign, but institutions find it hard to get students to participate in overseas schemes, says Rachael Pells

Research is paid for by legerdemain, and we should be honest about it if we want to correct funding imbalances and treat students fairly

In the wake of the shooting at Sutherland Springs in Texas, university staff and students have been sharing their concerns, writes Chris Parr

Last week’s spats over universities’ supposed anti-Brexit bias and what to do about it highlight the contested nature of free speech

Matthew Reisz celebrates the scholars engaging with film, personal experience, the creative arts and even jokes

Why do smart scholars fall for dodgy conferences, asks Jack Grove

Academics find information and inspiration in myriad places and forms, and what they do with it can transform and even save lives

In our rapidly changing world focused on science and progress, the liberal arts are sometimes considered irrelevant; but they offer unique insight into who we are and where we are going

Despite fears of saturation, an ever-growing army of graduates could just counter – rather than heighten – the threat of machines taking all our jobs

John Morgan looks at how an old argument may become pressing in future funding debates

Theresa May’s tweaks to tuition fees may not be enough to quell the disquiet over the current system, says John Gill

John Morgan asks whether laments for the polytechnics may have policy impact

Fringe events debate funding, Brexit and the social capital of knowing Jo Johnson, John Morgan reports

John Morgan looks at Theresa May’s plans for reforms to England's system

Labour still fixed on pledge as political gold dust, but may score policy impact nevertheless, writes John Morgan

Despite their scientific achievements, women account for only 5% of Nobel prize-winners. It diminishes them – and the award, says John Gill

Countries worldwide are grappling with the challenge of expanding higher education with limited resources while maintaining quality 

Chris Parr picks through some of the highlights from the tuition fees debate between David Willetts and Andrew Adonis

A disastrous loss of goodwill during negotiations with Brussels may mean the days of Britain’s being a net beneficiary of EU research funding are over

Britain has a remarkably strong higher education system that makes it a world-leading player, and it requires tending, not trashing