Feature article

Hear academics and university leaders reflect on their professional journeys and address some of the biggest questions facing higher education today. The Campus podcast gets under the skin of the issues and individuals defining the future of teaching, research, EDI, digital transformation and sustainability in the academy. Test

Why buttons press our buttons

A design system can underpin consistency and content standards in university website and digital services, but it does not replace good design decisions. Here, Ayala Gordon offers guidance to content design teams

Ayala Gordon

University of Southampton

A sack of money wearing a graduate's hat

Philanthropists, governing boards and faculty must play active roles in university governance

All parties involved in donating and managing university funds must play active roles in ensuring such financial gifts are used wisely, if US higher education is to avoid further scandal, write Siri Terjesen and Michael Ryall

Siri Terjesen, Michael Ryall

Florida Atlantic University

The problem with equity, diversity and inclusion in a multiracist world

EDI initiatives are commonplace in Western higher education. They pay little or no attention to the global diversity of racism. But should they, asks Alastair Bonnett

Alastair Bonnett

Newcastle University

Student doctors practising clinical skills on a plush bear

How to teach clinical communication skills in a foreign language from scratch

This hands-on approach to clinical practice integrates content and language and enables both local and international students to acquire communication skills and vocabulary alongside activities relevant to medical practice

Katalin Fogarasi, Judit Császár

Semmelweis University

Two women having an intimate conversation

How to nurture socio-emotional intelligence in doctoral students

A whole-institution approach to supporting the socio-emotional development of doctoral students so they become confident and adept early career researchers

Camila Devis-Rozental

Bournemouth University

Eight tips for making teaching and learning more enjoyable for learners

From mixing up the teaching space to drawing on real-life examples, Perçem Arman outlines ways to make lessons more fun and thus increase participation

Perçem Arman

Near East University

Menstruation, maternity, menopause: making space in the academy for all elements of womanhood

Do women’s health policies in higher education meet the needs of those they are meant to serve, and how might the stigma relating to aspects of womanhood be addressed?

Christina Dzineku, Devon Oakley-Hogg

Leeds Trinity University, University of Glasgow

‘Well…what do you think?’ Responding to challenging questions in the moment

While daunting, tough questions from learners can be a catalyst for collaborative learning and critical thinking. Roma Forbes offers practical advice for how to respond in the classroom or the corridor

Roma Forbes

The University of Queensland

big versus small in the microlearning arena

Using fun and interactive micromodules to energise learning

Lee Chien Ching and Tan Kian Lip Erick share the intricate process of producing a micromodule that attracts students through an enjoyable, interactive learning experience

Tan Kian Lip Erick , Lee Chien Ching

Singapore Institute of Technology

Students in a classroom, one of whom is raising her hand to ask a question

Simple solutions to the age-old challenge of classroom engagement

Drawing on his experience of teaching a microeconomics class of more than 200 students, Tony So shares failproof ways to engage students

Tony So

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

ChatGPT and generative AI: 25 applications to support student engagement

In the fourth part of their series looking at 100 ways to use ChatGPT in higher education, Seb Dianati and Suman Laudari share 25 prompts for the AI tool to boost student engagement

Seb Dianati, Suman Laudari

Charles Darwin University

Female engineering students working on a robotics project

Transforming the classroom through experiential learning

A pilot programme aims to expand undergraduate students’ access to high-impact learning experiences to strengthen skills such as teamwork and problem-solving. Kate Williams looks at its outcomes

Kate Williams

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Making conferences more inclusive: opportunities, barriers and lessons learned

Caroline Green and William E. Donald share their experience of organising a one-day conference with inclusivity at its core

Caroline Green, William E. Donald

The Talent Cycle, University of Southampton, Ronin Institute

A hand holding up a question mark in front of a world map

Humble enquiry: the transformative benefits of ‘not knowing’ in academia

How academics can embrace ‘not knowing’ as a powerful tool to drive learning, creativity and innovation

Lyn R. Keith

The University of the West Indies

A teacher in her 20s holding a laptop smiling at the camera while her students work at desks behind her

Make universities disability-inclusive, part one: feedback, access and language

Meredith Wilkinson offers advice on how to promote inclusivity for disabled students and staff at universities

Meredith Wilkinson

De Montfort University

How do you leap from research lab to Silicon Valley start-up?

The good news is that times of turmoil are ideal for innovation – and far more skills are transferable from bench to IPO than you might imagine. Here are eight actions that will get your start-up off the ground

Ben Clark

University of Southampton

Bring an apple for an exceptional university teacher

Take these seven steps to be a great teacher

The distinction between being a good teacher and a remarkable one transcends mere transmission of knowledge, writes Gabriela Espínola Carballo

Gabriela Espínola Carballo

Monterrey Institute of Technology

When it comes to professional development, let’s not forget part-time lecturers

What could universities do to better support the professional development of part-time teaching staff? Martin W. Andrews and Ruth Lang investigate

Martin W. Andrews, Ruth Lang

The University of Portsmouth, Royal College of Art, London School of Architecture

Breaking academic barriers: large language models and the future of search

The true potential of generative AI and large language models remains underexplored in academia. These technologies may offer more than just answers. Here’s how the insights they offer could revolutionise academic search and discovery

Adrian Raudaschl

Elsevier

Accessing the what, how and why of universal design for learning using popular culture

Stone Meredith explains how she hits the fundamental building blocks of UDL by leveraging popular culture sources using various media, particularly YouTube

Stone Meredith

Colorado State University Global

Men and woman chatting at a networking event

Three steps to unearth the hidden curriculum of networking

How to support students in developing networking skills that will enhance their future career prospects

Julia Freeland Fisher

The Clayton Christensen Institute

Devolved research funding in universities – a counter-narrative

Unfunded research could paradoxically add value to an institution’s output, profile and impact. Rosalind Edwards asks what lessons European initiatives can offer

Rosalind Edwards

University of Southampton

Civic education is crucial for today's students

How to improve civic education through service learning

Civic education is essential, writes Grace Ngai, so how can universities teach it effectively?

Grace Ngai

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

How to combat the mental health crisis on campus

From staff training to nap pods and on-campus emotional support animals, universities have well-established and novel ways to help students to better mental health and well-being

Jonathan Koppell

Montclair State University

Reconceptualise the ‘classroom’ for enhanced student engagement

Student-centred learning strategies that will boost engagement holistically across in-person and digital learning spaces

Elena Riva, Heather Meyer

The University of Warwick

A parenting student studies with her daughter in the background

Twenty per cent of US undergraduates have children – we must do more to support them

Dedicating funds and resources to parenting students, most of whom are mothers and single, is also an investment in the prosperity of future generations, writes Sara Goldrick-Rab

Sara Goldrick-Rab

Education Northwest

Mastering generative AI: crafting reusable prompts for effective learning design

Richard McInnes and Ajay Kulkarni discuss how to get consistent quality and replicable results when using generative AI to support course design and development

Richard McInnes, Ajay Kulkarni

The University of Adelaide

Asian student addressing class with microphone

Using the power of debate to enhance critical thinking

Asking students to analyse, defend and counterargue a contentious issue has proved an engaging way to teach reasoning and communication skills in organisational behaviour courses

M. C. Zhang

Macau University of Science and Technology

Autism in academic settings: unleashing unique strengths with adjustments

Practical accommodations that support autistic individuals in higher education and embrace the strengths they bring to the workforce, fostering inclusion and productivity

Imogen Varle

De Montfort University

Diversity efforts in academia are leading us towards ‘the oppression Olympics’

EDI campaigns and scholarships keep failing ethnic minority students because they are tailored to the needs of white people, writes Andrea E.L. Attipoe

Andrea E.L. Attipoe

Imperial College London

Female vision-impaired student using laptop

How do we write alternative text for images in education?

Descriptions of images in online documents help all readers – not just those with vision impairment – to fully understand the photograph, chart or graph and make the information accessible

Matthew Deeprose

University of Southampton

Two colleagues working together at a computer

ChatGPT and generative AI: 25 applications to support administrative tasks

In the third part of their series looking at 100 ways to use ChatGPT in higher education, Seb Dianati and Suman Laudari share 25 prompts for the AI tool to assist with administrative duties

Seb Dianati, Suman Laudari

Charles Darwin University

Three people in an office having a discussion

So what? Who cares? The skill of talking about impact

Darcey Gillie explains the importance of talking about impact in higher education and offers practical steps on how to do it

Darcey Gillie

The University of Edinburgh

Group of young adults holding up speech balloons

Do you speak Gen Z or are you a noob?

Students want to study with academics who understand them and speak their language rather than learn from people they feel are out of touch. Here’s how to align your lingo and foster engagement

Jennifer Pulkkinen

University of Derby

A male student sitting talking to an advisor

Student support: four ways to innovate for improvement

What fresh approaches could provide more proactive, tailored and cohesive student support? Andy Wistow shares insights from pilot schemes designed to do just that

Andy Wistow

The University of Bristol

Want student success? Modernising your careers centre is vital

Camille Dumont gives advice on how to adapt a university careers centre to better align with the evolving needs of students and the job market

Camille Dumont

Post University

Student in her bedroom sitting on the floor on her laptop listening to music

Sparking online joy: five ways to keep students engaged

Five guiding principles to use when designing and developing content for short online courses that will keep students engaged

Andrés Ordorica , Marcello Crolla, Lizzy Garner-Foy

The University of Edinburgh

Young black man studying at home on laptop

Moving microcredentials forward: how universities are incubators and early adopters

Education innovation will transform lifetime learning in two main ways: compacting instruction into digestible bites and standardising how microcredentials are used and delivered in (and beyond) higher education

Jonna Lee , Eric Scott Sembrat

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

A plan to prevent disengagement

What educators can do to overcome three common causes of student disengagement with learning

Adeola Matthew

The University of the West Indies

Higher apprenticeships reimagined for lifelong learners

If Australia is serious about addressing pressing skills shortages and rapidly changing technology and labour markets, lifelong learning must become a practical reality, not an abstract goal, says Mish Eastman

Mish Eastman

RMIT University

How to create K-12 programmes to boost belonging and participation

Learning outside the traditional school day can help shape a young person’s lifelong education journey. Here’s how university programmes can establish an environment where they can thrive

Sirocus Barnes

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

A young female researcher working in the lab

How can PhD researchers be supported to complete an alternative format thesis?

How universities can best support PhD researchers who wish to produce alternative format theses, based on a review of institutional policies

Caitlin Robinson

The University of Bristol

Enhancing manuscript clarity and ethical credibility with ChatGPT

Ikenna Uwanuakwa shares experience and tips for using ChatGPT to improve academic writing without falling foul of ethical considerations

Ikenna Uwanuakwa

Near East University

Open educational resources to make lifelong learning accessible to all

How open educational resources can be created and managed to ensure courses and materials that support lifelong learning are accessible to all aspiring students at little or no cost

Fiona Buckland

The University of Edinburgh

The three Cs of the 21st-century workplace: cognition, character and career

Changing skill demands require a lifelong approach to education that prioritises self-efficacy, critical thinking and a growth mindset. Here is how these elements can fit together in learning and career preparation

Vijayakumari Seevaratnam, Russell Manfield

The University of Queensland

Student survey filled out online at university

Want to know what the future of HE looks like? Ask your students

It’s time to embrace the student voice to improve inclusivity and innovation, and digital technology can be a massive help, writes Kristen McCartney

Kristen McCartney

Northumbria University

Moving beyond climate change to teach the climate crisis

Ways to scale up education relating to the climate crisis and the questions it must guide students to answer

Adam R. Aron

University of California San Diego

A case study in developing the next STEM generation

University ‘taster days’ can introduce teenagers to what global health research and advocacy might be like as a future career. Here four academics describe a pilot training session and what they learned from it

Michael Head, Jessica Boxall, Winfred Dotse-Gborgbortsi, Kathryn Woods-Townsend

University of Southampton

Stackable microcredentials for university learners

What’s needed for stackable microcredentials towards a degree?

Forest Tan describes how to begin creating a flexible pathway where learners can accumulate microcredentials aligned to industry that can stack towards a degree

Forest Tan

Singapore Institute of Technology

Abstract image representing free thoughts flying from a head in the form of butterflies

Biased AI poses a threat to academic freedom that must be confronted

How academics can manage and guide the use of generative artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT so that it enhances learning and independent thought and does not hamper academic freedom

Shweta Singh

The University of Warwick

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