Practical ways to ease presentation nervesOne way to offset public-speaking anxiety is to have confidence in your presentation. Brandi Quesenberry shares the keys to making your presentation shine and ensuring that it is memorable, impactful and successfulBrandi QuesenberryVirginia Tech
The everyday tools you can use to alleviate public speaking anxietyResearch shows that people regard death as less terrifying than public speaking. Thomas Duke offers three ways to speak with confidenceThomas DukeNazarbayev University
How to train world-champion cardiologistsCompetition, cooperation and continuity in talent support play integral roles in training and preparing medical professionals, and improving patient care, write three cardiologistsGellér László, Zoltán Salló, Nándor SzegediSemmelweis University
Student communication: a compassionate approachCompassionate student communication that ensures engagement is personal and unique to each student could enhance the university experienceJames GrayKortext
Digital marketing for universities: strategies for successUniversity marketing teams can increase their visibility and attract a diverse applicant pool by using contemporary strategies, writes Archana R. Nayak Archana R. NayakManipal Academy of Higher Education
How can we take research from the lab to the marketplace?When getting the products of your research into the hands of the people who need them, challenges arise. Vorathin Epin, Ibham Veza, Mazian Mohammad and Abdul Rahim Othman offer advice on how to overcome themIbham Veza, Abdul Rahim Othman, Vorathin Epin , Mazian MohammadUniversiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)
Effective public-speaking techniques for university facultyUniversity faculty need public-speaking skills when they seek to engage students, collaborate with colleagues, secure funding and further their careers. Patty Raun leverages her skills as a stage actor to help higher education professionals improve their presentation chopsPatricia RaunVirginia Tech
How to make public engagement work for early career academicsAcademics need to be able to translate what they research to engage a wide range of audiences. But to do that, scientists must first find the public engagement shape that fits them and their schedule. Here’s advice for getting startedSien van der Plank, John Duncan, Yanna Fidai University of Southampton, The University of Western Australia, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Researchers need support to change the world – here’s how to provide itTo generate world-changing research, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Research and Innovation Office took on the role of fostering collaboration and allocation of resources to allow their academics to focus completely on their work. Lixin Situ outlines how to provide support.Lixin SituThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Using storybooks to share research with a wider audienceStorybooks offer a collegial method of sharing research findings beyond the peer-reviewed journals of academia – and putting it in the hands of the people who can best use the information, write Dominic Petronzi, Dean Fido and Rebecca PetronziDominic Petronzi , Dean Fido, Rebecca Petronzi University of Derby
The library’s role in digital education: content is still kingUniversity libraries have a huge opportunity to evolve and strengthen their roles. To do this, they must demonstrate the value of their digital content by promoting the use of their digital collections to engage, inspire and enhance learningJosé Vladimir Burgos Aguilar Monterrey Institute of Technology
As librarians, we should embrace open researchOpen access represents a new opportunity, and librarians are ideally placed to implement it. Nazarbayev University’s library team offers their advice Jerald Cavanagh, Darya Zvonareva, Monika Bukowska, April Manabat, Yelizaveta Kamilova Nazarbayev University
Pledges and charters in medical schools: catalysts for change or performative promises?Pledges demonstrating support in addressing issues such as racism and misogyny will often garner interest and may even attract pockets of funding. But they also risk oversimplifying complex problems, writes Lois Haruna-CooperLois Haruna-Cooper University College London
THE podcast bonus episode: an interview with Kathryn Sikkink, Ryan Family professor of human rights policy at Harvard Kennedy SchoolHuman rights scholar and award-winning author Kathryn Sikkink talks about her work with the Harvard Votes Challenge, how young people are more savvy about misinformation than older generations and why, in this year of elections, democracy needs protection Kathryn SikkinkHarvard University
Maximise your research impact through interdisciplinary collaborationWhat’s the best way to achieve research impact? Qingyan Chen makes the case for an interdisciplinary approachQingyan ChenThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University
THE podcast: how to turn university students into engaged citizens – and votersPolitical scientists, in the US and the UK, discuss how universities can support Generation Z to engage with the democratic process, how to foster safe and open political discussion and why voting is like bungee jumpingElizabeth C. Matto, Michael BruterRutgers University, The London School of Economics and Political Science
Steps to take to encourage more support for public engagement in researchBy fostering a culture in which public engagement is not just encouraged but embedded into the fabric of academic life, institutions can leave a lasting impact on both the scholarly community and the world at largeLyn R. KeithThe University of the West Indies
‘Strengthening institution-wide commitment to trans inclusion is more important than ever’Guidance for museums, galleries and heritage has insight for universities as they prepare to bolster freedom of speech, write four academicsSuzanne MacLeod, Richard Sandell , Sharon Cowan, E-J ScottUniversity of Leicester, The University of Edinburgh, University of the Arts London
How to foster a civic mindset in the era of AICreate spaces that allow small groups of people to see themselves in a broader context, encourage them to dream of what possibilities and opportunities could exist and then help them to take actionRobert HuishDalhousie University
Why have higher education’s female leaders had to wait so long for equal pay?The higher education sector’s gender pay gap stands at 14.8 per cent, three percentage points higher than the UK as a whole. Janet Jones asks why and what we can do about itJanet JonesUniversity of Westminster
Empowering women leaders in fighting climate change: a call to action Achieving gender balance goes beyond mere representation, writes Tahseen Jafry. Tackling the climate crisis necessitates a profound shift among the next generation of leaders towards gender-sensitive decision-making processesTahseen Jafry Glasgow Caledonian University
Film storytelling can enhance learning in STEM subjectsIn the era of social technologies, authentic storytelling becomes a powerful tool for cultural and social change, a fundamental role of higher education, writes Arijit MukhopadhyayArijit Mukhopadhyay University of Salford
How to harness community knowledge to tackle complex policy challengesWorking with local communities can help uncover new insights to tackle complex social policy challenges. Saffron Woodcraft and Joseph Cook explain how to set up high-impact citizen social science researchSaffron Woodcraft, Joseph CookUniversity College London
Celebrate Black History Year and tackle racial inequality all year longInstead of consigning the recognition of Black histories to one single month, Deborah Husbands, Stephen Bunbury and Dibyesh Anand advocate for a Black History Year Deborah Husbands , Stephen Bunbury, Dibyesh Anand University of Westminster
How to engage with the media and expand the impact of your workAcademic scholars are generally not trained to write for broad audiences, so how do you get your compelling, newsworthy research out there? Gregory R. Goldsmith offers five considerationsGregory GoldsmithChapman University
How to facilitate knowledge exchange and build trust with policymakersThose seeking to create impact with their evidence should be ready to understand how public sector bodies make sense of the value of research, writes Julian MolinaJulian MolinaUniversity of Bristol
We set up a thought leadership programme to amplify PhD research reachDalhousie's OpenThink programme shows how universities can empower the next generation of thought leaders and facilitate public engagement Lynne M. Robinson Dalhousie University
The language of inclusivity is not inclusiveTerms such as equity, diversity and inclusion give the impression that they are dealing with what is present. In fact, EDI work deals with what is absent, writes Pascal Matthias. He offers ways to think, speak and write differentlyPascal MatthiasUniversity of Southampton
Fostering student co-creation to give back to the communityEngaging in local civic projects offers students meaningful learning opportunities, fosters co-creation and supports the community at large. Here, Martha Sullivan outlines the benefits based on working with the Empty Bowls projectMartha SullivanVirginia Tech
Conference presentations 101: master the art of speaking to an audienceDon’t get stage fright when it comes to presenting your research. Ayten Ordu offers her tips for preparing for speaking successAyten OrduNear East University
Use students to facilitate impactful collaborations that benefit the communityUsing students to connect third-sector organisations with people who can help them brings benefits to all involved. By Martin ParkerMartin ParkerUniversity of Bristol
Why press releases are a waste of your comms team’s timeMost universities will track press release output as part of overall communications metrics – but, asks Kylie Ahern, have you considered other ways to generate media coverage, awareness of your brand or better relationships with journalists? Kylie AhernSTEM Matters
To build a community in higher education, start from the ground upGareth Morris and Fiseha Berhanu Tesema outline grass-roots initiatives to help make your campus a socially cohesive place to work and studyGareth Morris, Fiseha Berhanu Tesema University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Science communication tips for marketersWhen research reaches a broader audience, it improves the society we live in and inspires the next generation of scientists. Iris Lai offers her advice on engaging the public with your work Iris LaiThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Defining first-generation is harder than you thinkThe first step towards providing better support for first-generation students should be to acknowledge the variety of definitions that exist and develop a better shared understanding of how those definitions affect studentsBrian Heseung KimCommon App
Why your students need to learn the skills of a journalistInterviewing real people to gain original stories and insights is a skill that will serve your students well in the age of AI. Julie Nightingale offers tipsJulie NightingaleNottingham Trent University
‘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 crisesFreeman Hrabowski, Peter H. Henderson, Lynne C. Schaefer , Philip J. RousUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Maryland, Baltimore
In-person events are still necessaryShould academics be travelling to events that could be done virtually? Drawing on her experiences at COP28, Denise Baden shares tips on how to make the most of these events – and why a chance to form alliances, learn from each other and share ideas for action make it worth being presentDenise BadenUniversity of Southampton
How to establish peer-to-peer support networks for online, first-generation studentsGiven the limited opportunities for organic peer-to-peer interactions online, universities must use a data-driven approach to create opportunities for students to build connections, writes Nesha Thompson Nesha Thompson The University of the West Indies
How can we encourage more prospective first-generation students to apply to university?Reflecting on her experiences as a first-generation student and widening participation practitioner, Raeesah Ellis-Haque shares insight into how universities can ensure communications and outreach activities speak to prospective first-generation studentsRaeesah Ellis-HaqueUniversity of Bristol
Building trust in research: how effective patient and public involvement can helpInvolving patients and the public in research results in more relevant outcomes and gathers insight into what issues affect and are of importance to them and their communities, writes Gary HickeyGary HickeyUniversity of Southampton
Empower communities using the Tree of Hope activity for post-project evaluationPost-project evaluation tools that generate useful participant feedback drive positive, enduring change, write Suthawan Thummasungwan and Prakit ArsaPrakit Arsa , Suthawan ThummasungwanSiam University
Show your research impact: a guide for academics and researchersIn academia, effectively demonstrating and communicating the real-world impact of research is increasingly vital for scholars, driven by demands from funding bodies and academic institutionsMohammed Al-Bahrani Al-Mustaqbal University
Maximise your research impact with these seven LinkedIn tipsLinkedIn works as a powerful tool for academics who want to share their research, yet self-promotion can be daunting. Here are seven tips to engage with other academics on the platform and define your brandRushana Khusainova, Julio D'Angelo Davies, Hannah Robinson , Chris Bennett, Imad Faruque , Lucy Wallis, Jacks BennettUniversity of Bristol
Five things to know before you launch a research podcastStarting a podcast can open up your research to a new audience. David Allan and Andrew Murray show howDavid Allan, Andrew MurrayUniversity of the West of Scotland
Get the word out: four ways to communicate with non-academic audiencesSharing scientific research with the wider public can be instrumental in breaking down the barriers to academic work. Ashleigh Johnstone offers adviceAshleigh JohnstoneArden University
The four key steps to writing a successful funding bidThe art to writing successful funding bids lies in your vision – and assembling a crack team to enact it. Rob Waterson offers his tipsRob WatersonUniversity of East London
Community organising: a case study in parent engagement Widening participation in higher education and improving the education journeys of young people cannot happen in isolation, writes Michael Bennett. Here, he outlines a programme that connects parents, community groups and the universityMichael BennettKing’s College London
Multilayered interventions to foster community relationshipsKey components of positive community engagement include institutional-, faculty- and course-level links, writes Tom Williamson. Here, he offers a road map for embedding universities in their local area and regional economyTom WilliamsonAnglia Ruskin University
The secret to long-term international research projects is trust and transparency To build an excellent research team you want talented individuals – but they also have to enjoy working together. Christine Raines explains how teamwork and open communication have made Ripe succeedChristine RainesUniversity of Essex