Case studies

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Young Asian female students giving presentation

Machine v human skills: what do we teach now?

Human-centred abilities such as curiosity, adaptability and self-reflection are rising in importance as AI threatens to automate routine tasks. Here are ways educators can prepare students for the workforce of the future

Lynda Wee

Nanyang Technological University

How to run a bursary scheme for your students with no admin support

How one lecturer launched and ran a career development bursary with no administrative support, using digital tools and smart workflows to keep the process efficient and effective

W. Victoria Lee

The University of Edinburgh

Two teachers at the front of a class full of students

‘Here’s what not to do’: a participatory method to develop interview skills

See what happened when educators used role plays to dramatically demonstrate poor interview practice, encouraging students to analyse and suggest improvements

Multiple authors

The University of East Anglia

How partnerships with business are evolving to support student employability

‘Intrapreneurship’, interdisciplinary degree pathways, student-led projects and early engagement are all ways universities can move industry collaboration from partnership to co-building

Saurabh Sinha

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury

Airport arrival sign with welcome in English, French and Italian

How to strengthen onboarding and integration for international scientific talent

Welcoming faculty from another country requires more than adding visa information to the domestic induction process. Joanna Daaboul shares how her institution helps international researchers settle into life in France

Joanna Daaboul

Université de Technologie de Compiègne

A student with a guitar surrounded by others smiling

Make your Freshers’ Week activities sing

Songwriting sessions, treasure hunts and biscuit decorating are among the creative Freshers’ Week activities that help students build self-confidence, connect with others and ease the transition to university life

Helen Eadon-Sinkinson

University of Chester

Bluetooth for better health: using tech to support student well-being

Students can self-regulate their learning and improve their well-being by spending less time at their desks and more time moving – thanks to Bluetooth headsets

Michelle Civile, Julie Pepper

The University of Exeter

Two film students working on a project together

Use peer assessment to give students more accountability in group projects

Structured peer assessment can significantly improve student engagement and accountability in group work. Read about two methods that led film students to produce better-quality work

Qian Zhuang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

‘Resilience isn’t innate – it is a skill that can be learned’

Core aspects of university life – education, encouragement and experience – are key to cultivating belonging and resilience in students. Here, Paulin Straughan explains how a framework of programmes and activities brings them together

Paulin Straughan

Singapore Management University

Students discussing a group project in class

How I teach students to assess each other’s work

Peer marking helps students build valuable skills and reflect on their own work. Here’s how to make the process smooth and effective

Anirudha Poria

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Peer review and career developing in university teaching

Peer review as a collegial approach to educator development

Expert support, structured reflection and near-peer dialogue can replace compliance and evaluation as a way to improve teaching practice. This practical framework aims to turn conversation into action

Hasti Abbasi

Deakin University

The power of partnerships in preventing regional talent drain

How one university collaborated with another institution and local employers to address region-specific skills gaps and retain graduates locally – plus advice for others looking to do the same

Hanna Hopkinson

Nottingham Trent University

How a collaborative portfolio review can help faculties streamline their teaching offering

How one school fostered cross-team collaboration to conduct a portfolio review and the lessons those involved learned along the way

Multiple authors

Cranfield University

Less is more when it comes to AI in teaching

As more educators adopt AI, the risk of becoming overwhelmed by the tools increases. Here are four practical strategies to prevent this

Bin Feng, Garth Elzerman

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

How to succeed as a green leader

Small projects, broad buy-in, leadership-level commitment and consistent attention to energy, waste and water all add up to a more sustainable campus. Here’s how a UK university turned its climate awareness around

Andrew Church, Toby Maloy

University of Bedfordshire

A woman putting a shirt on a mannequin next to clothes rails

Use a professional student wardrobe to tackle waste and increase employability

A student-led clothing wardrobe scheme helps students step into professional roles while reducing textile waste. Here’s how to set one up to support both sustainability and student success

Debra Easter

Nottingham Trent University

How combining VR with cultural identity can make interdisciplinary learning more impactful

A project that involved students designing human settlements on the Moon shows how combining cultural identity with VR technology can unite learners across disciplines and campuses to imagine and shape the future

Rubén Vázquez, Antonio Juárez

Monterrey Institute of Technology

Using small-scale ChatGPT integration to introduce online students to GenAI

Integration of ChatGPT into online learning does not have to be a huge project. A small-scale, flexible writing task can address your students’ needs. But if they are working professionals, you should know their capacity for using technology

Jonathan Zaccarini

Columbia University

Traditional ecological knowledge can inspire students to take climate action

Combining ancient wisdom with modern knowledge does not just broaden perspectives, it can also prompt climate action. Discover more benefits, and read advice on how to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into curricula

Daniel Yonto, Bin Feng

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A student filling in a questionnaire at their laptop

Use weekly class surveys to support learning

How regular student surveys help you understand their needs, adapt your teaching content and encourage active classroom discussions

Adrian Man-Ho Lam

The University of Hong Kong

Real-world collaborations help criminology students scrutinise police

How working with police and the Devon and Cornwall Community Scrutiny Panel gave criminology students real-world insight into – and a say in – police use of force

Abi Dymond , Nathan Kiyaga

The University of Exeter

A teacher smiling to camera holding a student's paper

How to talk to students about their writing

Verbal feedback can encourage students to think critically and independently about their language learning and improve future work. These tips explain how to put the method into practice

Lulu Jin

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Connect and catalyse: international collaborations in the semiconductor field

Semiconductors are essential for modern electronic devices, AI hardware and economic efficiency and growth. How can we drive continued progress and innovation in this field? International collaborations are key, as Cindy Yi explains

Yang “Cindy” Yi

Virginia Tech

Thinking like a physicist can prepare students for life’s challenges

Technology and peer learning can be used to optimise classroom time and enhance problem-solving skills. Here, Teck Seng Koh uses a sample lesson to illustrate how to develop students’ analysis capacity

Teck Seng Koh

Nanyang Technological University

Students working on a research project with staff

Two ways to teach undergraduate students research skills

How to ensure students are treated as partners in research collaborations and help them develop the skills they need for further study and beyond

Louise Hewitt

University of Greenwich

Close-up of silicon die are being extracted from semiconductor wafer

Techniques for designing and managing international collaborations

An effective international initiative can benefit a whole host of stakeholders – universities, industry leaders, students, wider communities. But how do we get to success? Cindy Yi looks at the opportunities and challenges of international collaborations using a real-world example

Yang “Cindy” Yi

Virginia Tech

Bridging the gap between academia and local communities

Institutions that integrate public engagement into their core mission will contribute to stronger, more connected communities. Here are lessons from running an on-campus science bazaar

Ellie-May Beaman

Oxford Brookes University

A teacher live streaming from a smart phone

Go live on social media to engage with prospective students

Meeting prospective international students in person isn’t always possible. Here’s how to create engaging live streams on social media, from selecting valuable content to structuring sessions and encouraging interaction

Alex Fenton

University of Chester

Knowledge exchange professional services career framework

How a career framework for knowledge exchange can foster a culture of professional growth

A career framework can provide pathways for personal and professional development. Here, Jane Shepard explains how one arts-based institution identified the skills required by professional services staff who help facilitate knowledge exchange

Jane Shepard

University of the Arts London

The power of positivity: how a simple question went viral

The viral success of a social media post offers insights on how universities can use simple, authentic and emotionally resonant content to drive engagement and strengthen community

Andrew Lam, Riley Phillips

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

How we reassure accounting students that AI won’t take their jobs

Hearing first-hand from industry professionals about AI’s impact on workplaces can alleviate career anxiety. Here is how to organise firm visits and prompt post-activity reflection

Multiple authors

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University , Mila University

A computer programming student working on her laptop

Authentic assessment design for computer programming master’s courses

A four-step plan for more meaningful assessment that incorporates AI-assisted evaluation, group discussions and presentations

Thomas Selig, Ling Wang

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Brainstorming benefits of an AI writing assistant app

User needs, smart prompts and functionality were central to creating an AI tool that supports student writing and thinking. Here, Joanne Chia and Angela Frattarola share the pedagogical and technical considerations involved in the process

Joanne Chia, Angela Frattarola

Nanyang Technological University

When to use an AI professor (and why you might not need one)

Selective embrace of artificial intelligence is key to its success in supporting student learning. Here, Leonard Ng Wei Tat shares lessons from building an effective AI teaching assistant

Leonard Ng Wei Tat

Nanyang Technological University

Unlocking minority students’ potential with an asset model approach

How can we tackle the gaps in attainment and outcomes between racialised ethnic minority and white students? This resource shares best practice based on running positive interventions for black and South Asian students

Hemisha Harji, Gemma Francis

Loughborough University

Working in partnership with PhD students to enhance postgraduate research culture

With guidance on the REF 2029 assessment of People, Culture and Environment just published, how might UK universities’ approach to partnership with postgraduate research students demonstrate their engagement with the factors said to enable positive research culture?

Maisha Islam , Fabien Littel, Nandini Das

University of Southampton

A teacher giving a PowerPoint presentation

Say goodbye to boring presentations

GenAI can supercharge your PowerPoint presentations to offer students interactive opportunities that increase participation and deepen learning. Here’s how

Chaonan Xu

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Three Asian university students in a classroom

‘We should focus on the effect of the technology rather than the technology itself’

How much tech is helpful in the classroom? Highlighting both benefits and drawbacks, John Komar explains how computer vision and AI can reinforce personal connections and interactions between teacher and students

John Komar

Nanyang Technological University

Multiracial group sitting around housing plans

Navigating uncertainty with interdisciplinary teaching

The siloed approach to education – where students in technical, business, humanities and arts disciplines learn separately – is no longer adequate, writes Lisa McNair

Lisa McNair

Virginia Tech

Lessons from an interdisciplinary community engagement course for engineers

STEM curricula in the US don’t often expose students to perspectives on culture, history and power nor equip them with effective community engagement skills. Here, an instructor and students share lessons from designing and teaching an interdisciplinary course that sought to address that gap

Ruthie Yow

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Vibe Lounge event at Turner Sims at the University of Southampton

How civic arts programmes can make students feel welcome

Empowering students to co-create music events with peers can foster a sense of belonging in their university and city. Here’s how a student-community collective breathed new life into a 50-year-old venue

Jessica Santer, Carley Divish

University of Southampton

African colleagues at a conference session

International research needs international research professionals

When researchers in poorer countries are expected to deliver programmes to the exacting standards of funders in the Global North, it makes international collaboration more difficult. Here, Mary Ryan calls for skills development initiatives to align global aspiration and reality

Mary Ryan

University of Glasgow

Scholarly publishers’ role in fostering collaboration in academia

With the infrastructure in place to exchange ideas and information, journals can enable scholars to build on their research and accelerate discovery and quality of innovation, as Antonia Pop explains

Antonia Pop

University of Toronto Press

What can module leaders learn from Toyota?

How to use the plan-do-check-act cycle to improve student success, satisfaction and grades

Sercan Demiralay

Nottingham Trent University

Active, flipped, micro, virtual learning: a toolbox for interdisciplinary teaching

Young engineers need interdisciplinary skills more than ever to communicate science clearly, both to inform the public and to protect shared resources such as the environment. Here are lessons from a cross-course project

Martin Morgeneyer, Esteban Zúñiga Domínguez

Université de Technologie de Compiègne

How to build a citizen science research culture

Practical advice for building inclusive and innovative research cultures that prepare students for real-world challenges

Aadhi Agilan, Sam O’Keefe, Gareth Bilton

University of Chester

Tackling declining attendance with the ‘show up’ mindset

A model that instils in students a commitment to ‘showing up’ from day one includes practical strategies for improving attendance and fostering long-term engagement

Maya Cara, Nina Seppala

UCL

Three ways to ensure you are teaching for lasting societal impact

Multidisciplinary courses, applied learning and personalisation will all help business schools prepare graduates to serve the needs of the global community. Baback Yazdani explains how to make them work

Baback Yazdani

Nottingham Trent University

Close up photo of a guest speaker delivering a lecture on sustainability

Integrating sustainability into a financial and actuarial mathematics course

Advice on delivering sustainability-focused guest lectures in collaboration with industry experts and reinforcing learning with project-based assessments

Multiple authors

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Changing the climate of teaching: embedding sustainability into film and media studies

Research-led teaching can bring educators’ work and passions into the classroom, making topics such as climate change less overwhelming for students and linking learning to future skills. Here are five key takeaways

Malcolm Cook

University of Southampton

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