Breaking news

Specific improvement plans needed for badly performing universities as working-class participation rises just two percentage points in four years. Melanie Newman reports

The man who helped shape the modern higher education landscape has passed away. John Gill reports

Institutions could go ‘bankrupt’ and STEM subjects falter as politicians put off debate, Zoë Corbyn hears

Leeds Met v-c denies university claims about concerns over his management approach, reports Melanie Newman

Bullying allegation triggered Simon Lee’s departure, reports Melanie Newman

Union bemoans lack of ‘transparency’ at Leeds Met as acting chief executive appointed. Melanie Newman reports

Geoff Hitchins steps into the breach for a third time.

Former Olympic runner Brendan Foster follows v-c Simon Lee to the exit

Hefce report claims universities’ administrative burden has been reduced by a fifth in four years, writes John Gill

2009-10 grant letter reveals 9.8 per cent increase over previous year. John Gill reports

Dissent over higher charges may have influenced Simon Lee's decision to go, writes Melanie Newman

The vice-chancellor of the University of East Anglia, Bill Macmillan, is to take early retirement at the end of the summer term.

As the President is sworn in, academics listen closely for hints as to how he may help them. Jon Marcus reports

Motion demands Soas cancel series in light of Israeli military action in Gaza. Melanie Newman reports

Simon Lee will leave at the end of the academic year. Melanie Newman reports

Findings of papers accepted for RNA Biology have to be added to website, Melanie Newman reports

Ray J. Paul, a member of two subpanels in RAE 2008, says funding should be less elitist than it was in 2001 but argues that the use of peer review needs careful consideration if it is to be used in future assessment exercises

Deian Hopkin is stung by his treatment at the hands of the national press

The Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings for 2009 will be published here at 00.01 on Thursday 8 October

The 2008 Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings have provoked a response worldwide, as power-shifts among the top 200 institutions are analysed.

Meeting on 8 July decides Martin Everett’s fate. Melanie Newman reports

London Met ‘has not and will not be apologising’ to Chinese community. Melanie Newman reports

MPs see no reason why laboratories that handle the most dangerous pathogens cannot be operated in universities or in towns

Delegates at the union’s conference vote in favour of motion that cites the ‘apparent complicity of most of the Israeli academy’ in the ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ in Gaza. Phil Baty and Melanie Newman report

Universities will have to ‘seize new markets’ to remain competitive. Rebecca Attwood reports

Rejection reflects concerns over UCU members’ ability to take effective action during disputes