Who will be the next leader of the Office for Students? Government thought to want someone who can move English regulator away from ‘highly politicised’ past as applications open for new leader By Helen Packer 22 December
Gender-critical academic sues Bristol over disrupted talk Failure to stop intimidation from trans right activists during visiting lecture breached free speech rights, says sociologist Alice Sullivan By Jack Grove 22 December
UK publishing deals with ‘big five’ hailed as ‘key milestone’ ‘Global first’ agreements break link between pricing and the number of articles published for the first time By Tom Williams 22 December
UK universities ring-fence PhD posts for ethnic minority students Practice seen as a way to boost participation at higher levels of academia but critics say it could have the opposite effect By Jack Grove 22 December
Quarter of students identify as LGB at some UK universities Changing demographics prompt call for universities to review what support they offer By Patrick Jack 21 December
Student Grief Network: ‘we’re about reconnecting with life’ Founder of support group urges more consistent approach to handling bereavement at universities because staff can feel ‘awkward’ talking about death By Juliette Rowsell 20 December
Scottish HE funding review to start in January despite election Scottish National Party minister says financial challenges go ‘beyond party political boundaries’ as official talks set to begin By Helen Packer 19 December
Textbook inspires professor’s AI-enabled ‘academic trance’ album Europop tracks based on chapters from Metaverse book have attracted thousands of fans, with one calling them ‘almost poetic’ By Jack Grove 19 December
Returning to Erasmus ‘will benefit mid-tier UK universities’ Short-term placements a chance to rebuild EU links and campus diversity but could also ‘reshape demand in ways that challenge current financial models’ By Patrick Jack 19 December
Rescuing arts institution ‘required a CEO, not a principal’ Lack of financial expertise at board level nearly toppled famed drama school, says leader who picked up the pieces By Helen Packer 19 December
Birmingham reprimanded over management of work-related stress Investigation by Health and Safety Executive found institution ‘does not have appropriate arrangements in place’ to manage burnout among staff By Juliette Rowsell 18 December
‘Beware trade-offs’ of removing REF funding for 3* outputs Review of formula used to allocate £2 billion QR funding could downgrade or withdraw money for ‘internationally excellent’ research, some fear By Jack Grove 18 December