The PhD viva is one of the most demanding situations students will find themselves in – and now this process has moved online. Alison Baverstock offers tips for chairing a Zoom viva that is as stress-free as possible for all involved
As debate intensifies on how to measure research excellence beyond publications, Jack Grove asks senior scientists how they assess intangible personal qualities when hiring researchers
Amid the pandemic shutdown, Bashir M. Al-Hashimi took the reins of a faculty at King’s College London. He shares his key lessons in how to quickly settle in with a remote team
How can universities ensure that students learn vital lessons in sustainability in all their courses? Anna McKie talks to three leaders who have already done so
The acquisition of wisdom about life and career can be just as long and challenging a journey as any research project. Luckily, many wheels have already been invented. Here, seven academics offer the pieces of advice that could have given them a head start
Academics must avoid publishing material that is defamatory or infringes on copyright − but how much support do they get to navigate the minefield that is social media?
New lecturer Saloni Krishnan gives practical tips, from recruiting research assistants on a budget to keeping research on track while juggling teaching responsibilities
Four archetypal career tracks exist for business school academics − management, research, academic entrepreneurship and teaching − and you probably need to choose one
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
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
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
Seeking out students for personal tutoring in socially distanced times is the labour-intensive but necessary task that may defeat universities, says Michael Wynn-Williams
The secretary of higher education for the state of New Jersey talks about her path to a career in policy, family history and handling racist attitudes at college
Impostor syndrome, feeling misunderstood and pressure to stay on top can plague many academics. Magdalena Bak-Maier advises how to prevent them derailing your efficiency
Dutch figures show just how little time professors get for their own research. It may be easier to pursue your intellectual interests outside the university system, says THE reporter David Matthews
A new teaching year has just begun in the northern hemisphere. Eight academics reflect on their experience of lecturing, and offer their tips on opening students’ eyes – and keeping them open
Sexual harassment of female lecturers by their students is one of the less discussed aspects of the interplay between gender and power in academia. Kate Cantrell tells her story
As critical members of the scientific community, early career researchers should be supported by scientific societies through student-led committees, write Rachelle Balez and Tom Burns
Determination to make your own way is key to success in academia, but scholars’ research, teaching and even their lives can be transformed by a chance encounter or event
Interdisciplinary PhDs come with unique challenges but if you can find ways to benefit from them, you’ll have the best of both worlds, says Selina Sutton
It is at the apex of higher education, research and innovation, but issues around integrity and employability must be addressed for doctoral education to continue to thrive, says Luke Georghiou
Postdoc Boukje Cnossen shares some tips to navigate the subtle cultural differences between European countries that can loom large when you’re looking for a job
