Government relations

Some politicians are using the supposed ideological character of research to justify imposing greater control over it, says Martyn Hammersley

BJP ministers and supporters are largely limiting themselves to discrediting and suppressing evidence of government failings, says an academic

Rationalising resources is the official reason for proposed mergers, but Albanian history suggests a darker motive, says Arjan Shahini

Government steps up scrutiny of university over BJP-critical paper while academics urge Ashoka to reinstate its author

Possibility of tensions flaring again on first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death sparks attempts to keep students away from campuses

As attentions turn to manifestos for the coming election, higher education should ramp up communication with MPs and ministers, says Anne Milton

The fact that most graduates credit their professional success to their degrees is a neat counter to the government’s rip-off rhetoric, says Vivienne Stern

Jeopardising local universities with rhetoric about rip-off degrees is the last thing the UK needs. A new funding settlement is vital, says Martin Jones 

Such talk replaces pride of place with ‘know your place’. But if you want to see levelling up made flesh, come and meet our graduates, says John Raftery 

Regardless of its merits, the bill barring state agencies from boycotting Israel cannot apply to universities, says Graham Virgo

Universities face criticism for getting into financial difficulties – but deliberate policy decisions are leaving the squeezed middle high and dry

Higher Education Commission could be given control over v-c appointments at public universities, with ‘disastrous consequences’ for autonomy

Once built, aerospace institute on southern island of Hainan will become first solo campus run by Russian institution inside Asian superpower

Ron DeSantis’ appointment of political operators as trustees risks compromising universities’ pursuit of the truth, says Richard Joseph 

Former political advisers say frequently used figures to advocate for research funding do not sway government thinking

Discovery of classified Biden papers inside university’s Washington office threatens to reverse reputational high from its seemingly prescient political cultivation

After a tumultuous 2022, what will the new year bring for higher education? Some of the UK sector’s respected crystal-ball gazers offer their predictions for 2023

Central government representatives are increasingly rejecting candidates selected by political foes in state governments, says Mukhtar Ahmad

Social science papers employ more rigour than policy documents do but need to be more reader-friendly, says Tim Blackman

New university pathway meant to boost talent, but academics concerned over graduate retention

Move seen as a way of strengthening links between academia and policymakers to ensure parliamentarians have access to latest scholarship

Difficult decisions require uncomfortable truths, epidemiologist tells Pacific Rim universities

If the sector is to tackle the existential threats facing the world, it must rediscover its practical idealism about itself, says Nigel Thrift

Universities have done themselves a disservice by playing politics and overlooking the public mood, chancellors say

As companies seek to supplant university courses, Nobelist fears policymakers blinded by promises of cheap and easy

A national curriculum relating to vital knowledge and skills could also help assure equal access to high-quality courses, says Ian Pace

Aleks Subic suggests UK universities need to be ‘an active collaborator’ with government, rather than going on the defensive

Proactively pushing a more positive, focused agenda around quality and value will win more public and political support, says Vivienne Stern

Easing student caps is a ‘step in the right direction’ but doesn’t solve issue of talent leaving for higher pay in other nations, academics say

Marketisation has compromised higher education, leaving it unsure how to rebut criticism like Kemi Badenoch’s, says Steven Jones

Enormous surpluses underline the extent to which universities prioritise their own welfare over that of future graduates, says Hannah Forsyth

ETH Zurich president discusses building public trust in science, supporting apprenticeship schemes and a downside of Einstein’s legacy

Fears that resources will be spread too thinly as ministries and research organisations back majority of possible priorities for the scheme

Taxi drivers are a good source of inspiration on profound questions of alien life, intergalactic travel and deep space exploration, says British scientist

Inaugural intake of students expected to arrive in Birmingham in autumn 2023, but funding and governance still to be determined

Universities are too often used for political point-scoring. Finding a way to implement and protect long-term plans for the sector would benefit all

Academic who has become a lightning rod for criticism over her pandemic advice reflects on two years in the eye of the Covid storm

Western Sydney University deputy v-c discusses ‘pragmatism’ in climate change research institute title and shopping centre campus, after rankings success

University data expertise essential to ‘capacity building’ for city government on issues ranging from air quality to localising UN sustainability goals, THE summit hears

Australian thinktank stakes new ground in the quest for practical engagement

Government ‘shifts blame’ for visa overstayers to universities, in blow to regional institutions wrestling with declining domestic population

Efforts to encourage more academics into public debates should forget indicators and focus on training and support, Norwegian rectors say