Online CPD is one pandemic innovation worth fighting forLet’s not waste this opportunity to make development broader and more inclusive using the lessons of the past 18 months, says Chris HeadleandChris HeadleandUniversity of Lincoln
Developing flexible lifelong learning in line with changing needs and opportunities Jonathan Michie shares insight to help institutions develop lifelong learning strategies that meet the need for flexible and relevant educational programmes Jonathan MichieUniversity of Oxford
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: investing in early career interdisciplinarity Three PhD students share tips for embracing an interdisciplinary approach to research from the start of one’s academic career to aid progress towards tackling the Sustainable Development Goals Roxanne Keynejad, Poushali Ganguli, Manisha Yapa King’s College London, UNSW Sydney
Broccoli and birdsong: the shifty discourse of ‘staff well-being’When institutions put responsibility for wellness onto individuals, they also deflect their role in staff burnout and mental ill health, writes Madeleine Davies Madeleine DaviesUniversity of Reading
Designing back from the future: building scenarios to engage students with global challenges Anke Schwittay shows how design methods such as scenario building can help students think creatively about diverse challenges and imagine responses to them Anke SchwittayUniversity of Sussex
Eight ways your university can make research culture more openParveen Yaqoob and Robert Darby share eight actions institutions can take to foster a culture of research that is more accessible, transparent and reproducibleParveen Yaqoob, Robert DarbyUniversity of Reading
Enhance your research through public engagement and collaboration How can academics shape research around mutually beneficial public engagement and collaboration? Emily Burns outlines the key considerations Emily BurnsQueen Mary University of London
Want to tear students from their phones? Learn their namesHolding students’ attention in a world of digital distractions is tough, but James Lang explains why remembering and using their names can make the task less herculeanJames M. LangAssumption University
Listen to this! Using podcasts for online learning Emily O’Reilly explains why and how to use educational podcasts to supplement your online teaching Emily O'ReillyThe University of Edinburgh
Decolonising the curriculum – how do I get started? Rowena Arshad provides pointers for any teaching academics considering how to get started on decolonising their curriculum Rowena ArshadThe University of Edinburgh
Leaders: how to build community and trust during a crisisCharles Egbu, vice-chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, reflects on five key lessons he learned while taking the helm during the pandemicCharles EgbuLeeds Trinity University
Fake news, educated views and how-tos: social media for teaching and research Terese Bird shares her ideas on how to use some of the most popular social media platforms to support your teaching and researchTerese BirdUniversity of Leicester
The UK must act now to preserve its reputation internationallyThe figures show that the UK is slowly losing its appeal to overseas students, but what can be done about it? asks Vivienne SternVivienne SternUniversities UK International
Innovative approaches to transnational education Vangelis Tsiligiris outlines the key areas for innovation in the design and delivery of transnational education based on changing needs and developments in the global higher education landscape Vangelis TsiligirisNottingham Trent University
Taking the shock out of culture shock: helping international students navigate transitions, part oneInga Ackermann outlines what steps institutions can take to prepare international students for the potential culture shock they may experience on arrival at their new universityInga Ackermann The University of Edinburgh
Bringing international and intercultural dimensions into your programmesJeanine Gregersen-Hermans and Karen M. Lauridsen address how educators may create an internationalised learning experience for all students by including global and intercultural dimensions in curriculum design and delivery Jeanine Gregersen-Hermans, Karen M. LauridsenZuyd University, Aarhus University, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
How a community of practice can foster virtual collaboration Eugene Schulz and Dagmar Willems share insights and takeaway lessons from creating a community of practice for higher education instructors to develop virtual exchanges with international partnersEugene Schulz, Dagmar WillemsGerman Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Engaging with the world from your home classroom: tips for internationalising the curriculum Tanja Reiffenrath shares advice on giving curricula an international dimension that helps students develop global perspectives Tanja Reiffenrath University of Göttingen
The dos and don’ts for setting up an international campus Tobias Kliem offers insight on what to prioritise and what to avoid when setting up a branch campus overseas Tobias Kliem Arden University
Top tips for developing an effective virtual exchange programme Justine Seran and Randall Reinhard offer guidance on building a virtual exchange programme to provide flexible international learning opportunities for students who cannot travel abroadJustine Seran, Randall ReinhardThe University of Edinburgh
University leaders need to demonstrate an adaptive mindsetWith huge change ahead, leaders must be brave and accept that the right decisions may not always deliver the best spreadsheet results, say Alasdair Blair and Sarah JonesAlasdair Blair, Sarah JonesDe Montfort University
What is the purpose of a university lecture?We must continue to question the true role of the lecture and how lecture recordings fit in to the effective delivery of higher education, says Jill MacKayJill MacKayThe University of Edinburgh
Mental health support for international students: five key stepsFrank Haber explains what support mechanisms universities must put in place to protect international students’ mental health Frank HaberOldenburg University, Constructor University
Targeted advice and guidance is crucial for widening participation Especially post-Covid, pupils need a strong foundation that prepares them for future post-18 decisionsBilly Huband-ThompsonCentre for Education and Youth
Ready, player one? How video games can help engage studentsEngaging, rewarding and a great way to encourage active participation, games are a brilliant addition to a teaching and learning environment, says Chris HeadleandChris HeadleandUniversity of Lincoln
Relationship building among globally diverse students in a borderless universityMonika Foster offers insights into why and how to encourage relationship-building between global learners by celebrating diversity and encouraging collaboration in teaching, learning and assessmentMonika FosterUniversity of Sunderland
Teaching with Lego: using plastic bricks to encourage play and interaction in classDan Swanton explains how using Lego to demonstrate and apply lessons in class promotes play and interaction leading to better engagement and peer discussion as part of active learning designDan SwantonThe University of Edinburgh
Advice for early career researchers on handling workplace inequality, prejudice and exclusionSarah Jasim and Shaakir Salam offer early career researchers advice on how to navigate issues of inequality, prejudice and exclusion in the workplace and handle misconduct without risking their own positionsSarah Jasim, Shaakir SalamThe London School of Economics and Political Science, King’s College London
Developing research skills post-pandemic: creating space for reflection and conversation Three research advisers share advice on how institutions should support researchers to develop their professional skills and confidence post-pandemic Jennifer Boyle, Rachel Herries, Joanna RoyleUniversity of Glasgow
How to assess if online tools will enhance learning experiencesElizabeth Ellis offers five tips for assessing and selecting digital education tools that will improve rather than distract from your teaching Elizabeth EllisArden University
Teaching the skills wanted by employers in 2021 and beyondDilshad Sheikh makes a case for universities to work more closely with employers to shape industry-relevant courses and expose students to more real-world practical training and assessment Dilshad SheikhArden University
We must dismantle the invisible career barriers in HEDespite surface appearances, universities’ recruitment and selection practices still present hidden obstacles to under-represented groupsRebecca JarrettCranfield University
Generating immersive, large-scale teaching experiences in video games Richard Fitzpatrick and Thomas Little offer insights for designing and developing immersive learning experiences using video games, based on their experience using Minecraft in their teaching Richard Fitzpatrick, Thomas LittleThe University of Edinburgh
Why are primary sources important in teaching?Seth Cayley explains why primary sources are important learning tools to help students gain a better understanding of current events and hone critical-thinking skills Seth CayleyGale Primary Sources
Guiding students to learn from each other through peer feedbackSam Evans and David Collett share a framework to guide students in effective peer review to boost learning outcomesSam Evans, David CollettXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Self-directed learning is becoming the forgotten ingredient in HEIn the heady rush to extol the virtues of asynchronous learning, we are watering down the main element of students’ learning experience, says Linda KayeLinda KayeEdge Hill University
Using tech to train students in creative problem-solving Alison Watson explains how institutions can guide students in developing creative solutions to real-world problems, better preparing them for the demands of the future workplace Alison WatsonArden University
The arts and humanities have not been forgotten: finding funding post-pandemic Edward Harcourt on why the arts and humanities are vital to tackling societal challenges and what funding streams are available to research within these disciplines Edward HarcourtArts and Humanities Research Council
Make yourself presentable Richard Gratwick sketches a course designed to develop students’ presentation skills, whether in person or online, using principles that are universal Richard GratwickThe University of Edinburgh
How to embed creativity more fully into university curricula Five key strategies to enhance student creativity through university curricula that encourage exploration and enquiry Gareth LoudonRoyal College of Art
Blended learning is so bland − we need to punk things upJust like musicians on tour, we must focus more on delivery and start holding ourselves to the same standards as any broadcaster or media company, says Jonathan WilsonJonathan WilsonRegent's University London
Students as educators: the value of assessed blogs to showcase learningAssessed blogs can help translate the thrill of interactive learning into tangible outcomes that enrich and showcase students’ knowledge. Here’s how to do itMatt DaviesUniversity of Chester
We must help our students make this a ‘summer of self-love’It would be wise to keep an eye on our students over the coming months, as the period after lockdown typically brings intense emotional responses, says Bertus JeronimusBertus JeronimusUniversity of Groningen
Want to be a better teacher? My daughter showed me we need to play moreTesting silly ideas and pushing boundaries are crucial − and liberating − but universities must provide digital spaces where we can do so freely, says Andy FarnellAndy FarnellVisiting professor
Choppy digital waters lie ahead for many storied institutionsTraditional universities are too often led by the interests of lecturers rather than the employment needs of students or recruitment needs of businesses, says Dilshad SheikhDilshad SheikhArden University
Developing an educational app to engage students in the world around themNiki Vermeulen and Kate Bowell describe a creative approach to place-based learning involving an app that offers educational walking tours linking students’ studies to the world around themKate Bowell, Niki VermeulenThe University of Edinburgh
Three video techniques for increasing student engagementJoe Arton shares three evidence-based techniques for creating teaching and learning videos that will improve student engagement and learning outcomesJoe ArtonThe University of Edinburgh
Creative ways to boost student learning through community-based projects Jamie Darwen explains how community projects offer creative and practical ways to enhance student learning and shares advice on building successful partnerships outside the university Jamie DarwenUniversity of the West of England Bristol
Embedding peer support among students in large online lectures David Quinn explains how strategies that work in person to facilitate active participation and peer support among students can be adapted to large online lecturesDavid QuinnThe University of Edinburgh
Blended learning should be embraced for the benefit of allBy using online capabilities, higher education could be transformed from a privilege into a basic human right for anyone who wants it, says Sir Tim O’SheaTim O'SheaKortext
