In research, weird is wonderful Sovietised REF blocks progress. Innovation comes when universities encourage risk-taking, says Andrew Oswald 26 June
Tales of continental drift The globalised academy offers ambitious scholars a plethora of opportunities, yet expat life is nothing if not unpredictable By John Gill 26 June
Beyond the limits of traditional learning Teaching and learning innovations could help resolve the challenges facing higher education, says Joseph Aoun 26 June
Vice-chancellors’ partners are the unsung heroes Malcolm Gillies on the challenges facing university leaders’ significant others 26 June
A conscious uncoupling: the AS level as a standalone qualification Mary Curnock Cook on what reform in England could mean for admissions 26 June
Lost without translation: scientific research Accurate scientific translation is vital, say Meredith Root-Bernstein and Richard Ladle 26 June
Terrorism awareness begins at home Teachers can reveal the history of domestic terrorism and address its impact, says Lee Maril 19 June
Face time with students in the digital age Kevin Fong suggests ways of satisfying the contact time cravings of today’s Young Ones 19 June
UK universities: from excellence to omnishambles A raft of short-sighted policies are causing harm, says Sir Roderick Floud 19 June
Imperialist metric systems Inappropriate measures of performance are detrimental to the intrinsic motivations of an academic workforce By John Gill 19 June
The trouble with taught degree-awarding powers Nick Hillman on plans to use the powers to sort good universities from bad 19 June
Tentacles: the new fangs (and teaching tool) Sea monsters are inspiring new critical theory and can even be a useful tool in the seminar room, says Roger Luckhurst 19 June
A plague of tapeworm sentences Brian Bloch ponders the convoluted tangle that permeates scholarly German writing 12 June
Happily ever after? Which fairy tale is the greatest of them all? Sally Feldman on enduring themes 12 June
Closed minds: the media and animal research As researchers commit to greater openness, the media has an important role to play, says Adrian Deeny 12 June
When the police call, researchers require backup Shield laws could help protect confidential sources, but most vital is university support, say Ted Palys and John Lowman 12 June
Erudition needed for in-out vote In the debate about Scottish independence, university leaders have been notably reticent in stating their position By John Gill 12 June
An uncertain future for Scottish research Scotland’s academics should be concerned about the impact of a ‘yes’ vote, says Jill Stephenson 12 June
Europe’s electoral quakes call for shock detectors Rightward lurches at the polls means migration studies are more essential than ever, says Mette Louise Berg 5 June
All literary festivals great and small Christopher Bigsby on the hardships and high points of life under canvas 5 June
Opinion: Peter Hennessy on a rich seam of history Mining memories on the anniversary of the South Wales Miners’ Library 5 June
Tables arrangements may be a distraction Focus on league tables could shift Middle Eastern universities from honourable priorities, argues Cesar Wazen By Cesar Wazen 5 June
Marking? It’ll be done in just a tick Lecturer Emma Rees has 65 essays to mark. But first, Iced Gems, tea, more tea… 5 June
Promises and their limitations Trust in research confidentiality is vital, yet recent disclosures suggest the need for a review of safeguards for all concerned By John Gill 5 June
All roads lead to London The lure of the capital is irresistible to universities, but with the unique opportunities come unique challenges By John Gill 29 May
Welsh research: punching above its weight Wales does quite well from its small research base, but it can do better, says Peter Halligan 29 May
Teaching magic happens face to face Scholars who share their knowledge in creative ways need not fear being upstaged by Moocs or TED talkers, says John Gilbey 29 May
Commencement conundrums Alan Ryan on a recent US wave of student protests over high-profile guests 29 May
Let students join you in the lab Why are undergraduates still kept at arm’s length from the world of research? asks Stuart Hampton-Reeves 29 May
A very Stalinist management model Craig Brandist on the parallels between Stalin’s Russia and the operation of today’s universities 29 May
Don’t let fees billy boil over We must heed warnings in Hepi’s academic experience survey before following Australia’s lead and abolishing tuition fee caps By Simon Baker 22 May
Arts for art’s sake – but what about a career? Emily Howard had an English degree and great expectations. Now jobless, she wonders if prospective students are given the whole truth 22 May
Management clones kill our thriving cultures Universities undermine their identity and values when they headhunt outsiders for leadership roles, laments a senior manager 22 May
How Saudi Arabia can create an academic oasis Philip Altbach on three problems hindering the kingdom’s institutions in their pursuit of world-class status 22 May
UK university funding: don’t copy the Australians As costs soar for students Down Under, England should be even more wary of following the country’s lead, says Rachel Wenstone 22 May
The tongue-tied Britons abroad Ignorance of one’s native English means other languages and cultures are a closed book, says Felipe Fernández-Armesto 22 May
How to turn pain into gain Universities must convince the public and policymakers that they are key to improving the public sector workforce By John Gill 15 May
