Professional insight from the University of Exeter

Home to the UK’s five most influential climate scientists, the University of Exeter is a public research institution which combines teaching excellence with world-leading research. The university was awarded a Queen’s Anniversary prize in 2020 for work to combat the effects of marine plastic pollution.

University of Exeter

Students testing samples in a lab

Beyond Alan Turing: bringing LGBTQ+ role models into STEM

LGBTQ+ identities remain largely invisible in STEM. Shining a light on them in everyday teaching can strengthen belonging and representation

Eleanor M. Townsend, Claire L. Davies, Andrew M. Griffiths

The University of Exeter

A student smiling to camera

How vertical tutoring builds community

Students on joint or interdisciplinary degrees often struggle to feel they truly belong. Vertical tutoring – a structured, cross-year peer support model – offers a solution

Owen Tomlinson, Mary O’Leary

The University of Exeter

A lecture hall full of students

The secrets of successful ‘mega’ modules

Teaching at scale is a growing reality across UK higher education, but how can modules with more than 500 students maintain quality and engagement?

Fujia Li, Hugh Waters

The University of Exeter, University of the West of England Bristol

A student taking a moment to reflect on a concept

Reflective skills are key in an unpredictable labour market

Students need to be agile to succeed in the workplaces of the future. Rather than rely on static career planning tools, teach students to pause and evaluate

Michelle Civile

The University of Exeter

Two academics chatting

Tips for mastering the art of negotiation in academia

Whether navigating marking loads or vying for promotion, strong negotiation skills can make all the difference. Drawing on theory and practice, here are five ways to build them

Nick Worthington

The University of Exeter

Students working together on a group project

Teaching future-proof skills: lessons from degree apprenticeships

How degree apprenticeship-style teaching can develop the creative and social intelligence students need to succeed in a changing workplace

Yuxi Heluo

The University of Exeter

A class full of students from behind, with one raising their hand to answer a question

Beyond grades: rethinking student motivation in the GenAI era

Discover inclusive, creative and sustainable strategies, from playful learning and visual tools to culturally relevant teaching and co-created assessments, to better motivate today’s students

Yusra Siddiqui , Alison Hill

The University of Exeter

A neurodivergent student participatin gin a class discussion

Stop placing the onus on neurodivergent students to ‘fit in’

How universal design for learning can address common challenges in making classrooms more inclusive for neurodivergent students

Ioanna Kapantai

The University of Exeter

A woman studying at her laptop

(Re)learning critical reading in the age of GenAI

Rather than pretending students can – or even should – avoid GenAI to become critical readers, we need to develop their critical reading skills so they can successfully interrogate AI-produced materials

Brendan Carey

The University of Exeter

An educator helps a student in class

Four stages to develop problem-solving skills

Use this four-step framework to help your students work through problems and develop their analytical and creativity skills

Houry Melkonian, Vicki Brown, Cris Burgess

The University of Exeter

Students in a lab

Workforce-ready, not left behind: inclusive work-based learning for sciences students

Many science students miss out on quality placements because of systemic barriers. Read five ways universities can embed equitable, work-based learning into non-accredited programmes and level the field

Shalinee Dhayal, Dominic Wiredu Boakye, Musarrat Maisha Reza

The University of Exeter

Student with headphones preparing food

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

A mentor with a mentee

Level the playing field for student apprentices with ILPs

Read advice on how to support student apprentices with independent learning plans, including guiding them through the off-the-job hours logging process

Joskaudė Pakalkaitė

The University of Exeter

Two police officers from behind

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

Students in a group walking together on campus

Creating a culture of belonging with inclusive pedagogy

Building cultural humility and meaningful relationships with students are two of several strategies to foster belonging in students from minoritised backgrounds

Yusra Siddiqui , Musarrat Maisha Reza

The University of Exeter

Circle of connected coloured ropes

Is a ‘co-opetition’ model the way to safeguard higher education for future generations?

Shared support functions don’t mean the end of competition among institutions, writes Mark Thompson. Instead, collective thinking could focus effort on universities’ strengths and potentially rescue the sector from ‘an unsustainable race to the bottom’

Mark Thompson

The University of Exeter

A student delivering a presentation

Three alternative assessments that build managerial skills

Personal development discussions, presentations and peer coaching help build essential communication skills and emotional intelligence. These tips will make them effective

Michelle Civile, Alison Sydenham, Julie Pepper

The University of Exeter

A teacher giving a student feedback

The power of effective feedback for early-career educators

How can assessors improve educators’ ability to give feedback that influences students’ motivation, engagement and achievement?

Jennie Fox

The University of Exeter

Students in an exam hall being assessed

We have to rethink academic integrity in a ‘post-plagiarism era’

What is the future of plagiarism as a concept in the AI age and what are the implications for academic integrity? This resource seeks to answer these questions, among others

Karen Kenny

The University of Exeter

A student using their phone

How universities can use research to develop effective digital products

Tips on developing a user-led digital approach at your institution, based on the University of Exeter’s success

Helen Cocks, Amelia Johnson

The University of Exeter

A student typing on their laptop with images representing study and AI superimposed over the top

Promoting ethical and responsible use of GenAI tools

How can we encourage staff and students to use generative AI in ways that do not threaten an institution’s ethics or academic integrity? Read the University of Exeter’s take

Kelly Louise Preece

The University of Exeter

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Campus talks: how can universities ensure students are safe and supported?

A discussion of universities’ duty of care towards students, from tackling sexual misconduct to ensuring they feel supported in their studies

Rachel Fenton, Catherine Moran

The University of Exeter, University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

A student and teacher speaking

Open dialogue about AI in HE is the way forward

The assumption that instructors hold negative views on the use of any generative AI means that important conversations aren’t being had

Florian Stoeckel

The University of Exeter

Student testing out a wind turbine model

Critical approaches to incorporating the SDGs into curricula

Mapping curricula against the SDGs has become a key objective for education institutions aiming to showcase their commitment to sustainability. But we must do this through a critical lens

Sean Porter

The University of Exeter

Student receiving guidance from a teacher

Five steps to prevent student disengagement

Follow this educator's action plan to ensure students at risk of dropping out of their studies feel supported to get back on track

Layal Hakim

The University of Exeter

Students working together on a project in class

Three ways to promote critical engagement with GenAI

However much we fear AI's impact or despise its outputs, when teaching humanities, the best response is to encourage students to engage with it critically

Neville Morley

The University of Exeter

Male librarian sorting out books

Empower minority staff and students to thrive at your institution

Practical strategies to reduce representation burdens, build diverse talent pipelines and foster inclusive environments in higher education

Pallavi Banerjee

The University of Exeter

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Campus talks: university success stories in managing AI and building digital capacity

Find out how two universities, in Hong Kong and the UK, are embracing generative AI and building institution-wide digital expertise

Julia Chen, Helen Cocks

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The University of Exeter

A multiculutral group of staff having a group discussion

Tackling bias and microaggressions in higher education

Actionable strategies and insights to help higher education institutions attract and retain ethnic-minority staff

Pallavi Banerjee

The University of Exeter

Colleagues use a laptop together

When it comes to digital upskilling, sharing is caring

Launching a digital upskilling product is one thing but getting staff to use it is quite another. Katie Steen and Dave Weller harnessed the power of personalisation to get that all-important buy-in

Katie Steen, Dave Weller

The University of Exeter

academics having a meeting

A practical guide to navigating the language of diversity

Navigating the language of diversity is a continuous journey that requires commitment and effort

Yusra Siddiqui

The University of Exeter

Students working together in class

Tried and tested ways to teach your students soft skills

The introduction of ChatGPT reignited the debate surrounding employability skills. Add two decades of intensifying international competition and a pandemic, and it is no wonder we’re fundamentally rethinking the modern workplace

Kate Pettifer

The University of Exeter

A research student undergoing her viva exam

‘Augmenting’ the doctoral thesis in preparation for a viva

The viva voce exam is the final hurdle for PhD students, but for most it is also a new and fear-inducing experience. Edward Mills offers one framework to help those preparing to discuss their completed thesis at length

Edward Mills

The University of Exeter

Man working on his PhD thesis

How to write a PhD thesis: a step-by-step guide

A draft isn’t a perfect, finished product; it is your opportunity to start getting words down on paper, writes Kelly Louise Preece

Kelly Louise Preece

The University of Exeter

International students holding up flags of their home countries

Eleven ways to support international students who use English as a second language

We must all work to foster a compassionate and encouraging experience for our international student community

Peter O'Rourke

The University of Exeter

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Campus talks: interview with Mark Thompson, professor of digital economy at the University of Exeter

Academic, practitioner and policy commentator Mark Thompson shares his concern that UK higher education is drifting from its true north of research, teaching and impact in the wake of complex digital change and the prisoner’s dilemma of whole-sector transformation

Mark Thompson

The University of Exeter

Digital butterfly emerges from cocoon

Ideas that make a difference for the digital transformation of universities

In a series of Campus resources, UK digital adopters explore what has worked (and what has not) as universities go digital and where investment in technology can be most effective

Sarah Dyer, Craig Walker, Lisa Harris, Arunangsu Chatterjee, Niamh Downing

The University of Manchester, HEdway Group, The University of Exeter, University of Leeds, Canterbury Christ Church University

what's your story speech bubble

How authentic stories can empower the ‘unheard voices’

Storytelling can be a powerful change agent. When proposing change – such as the digital transformation in universities – leadership needs to communicate in ways that cut through the noise and inspire action, write three digital adopters

Lisa Harris, Sarah Dyer, Craig Walker

The University of Exeter, The University of Manchester, HEdway Group

Colleagues collaborating around a table

Collaboration requires more than not stepping on toes

To get things done in universities, do we need to embrace conflict or find new ways to work together? Here, three digital adopters explain why collaboration isn’t the same as hoping not to annoy anyone

Sarah Dyer, Lisa Harris, Craig Walker

The University of Manchester, The University of Exeter, HEdway Group

digital transformation concept

Why the ‘machine says no’: how asking for less can get you more…

Under-investment and lack of future proofing of core digital systems have left many universities with creaking legacy infrastructure that cannot support increasing demands. Here, three digital adopters suggest that incremental improvements could be a way forward

Craig Walker, Lisa Harris, Sarah Dyer

HEdway Group, The University of Exeter, The University of Manchester

Three designers discussing ideas at a table in an office

Use design thinking principles to create a human-centred digital strategy

Creating a user-focused digital strategy requires the use of various channels, the adoption of design thinking principles and the involvement of students and staff from the outset

Joe Holland

The University of Exeter

Group of smiling students

How to support individuals with hearing loss at your institution

Many people with hearing impairments do not think they need support. Here are some ways to provide it

Simon Hayhoe

The University of Exeter

A male lecturer talks to a class of students

The ‘third way’ academic: becoming an education-focused professor

Career development tips for higher education professionals who take an education-focused pathway

Rushana Khusainova, Wayne Holland, Sally Everett, David Boughey, Kathy Daniels

The University of Bristol, The University of Exeter, Aston University, King’s College London

Female doctor checks a woman's thyroid

A checklist for advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in medical sciences and education, part two

Three questions that medical sciences lecturers should ask when revising curricula to promote ethical considerations, an understanding of health inequities and diverse perspectives

Musarrat Maisha Reza, Mia-Rose Gillison

The University of Exeter

A diverse group of medics sitting through a seminar

A checklist for advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in medical sciences and education, part one

Three questions that lecturers in medical sciences should ask when revising their curricula to promote diverse representation and health equity

Musarrat Maisha Reza, Mia-Rose Gillison

The University of Exeter

Statue of Isaac Newton

Inclusivity versus devotion to the cult of STEM

Is an underlying global STEM culture of devotion getting in the way of a more inclusive academy, asks Andrew Pye

Andrew Pye

The University of Exeter

Life cycle assessment depicted by icons on wooden balls.

Circular impact: a call to action for research on grand societal challenges

How to enact a ‘circular’ approach to research and impact so outcomes feed back into the work to inform ongoing planning and improvement

Ryan Nolan

The University of Exeter, Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN)

Young women campaigning for more action on climate change

A practical approach to tackling eco-anxiety

We induce eco-anxiety by teaching students about climate change, so training them in practical and achievable solutions to it are needed, too, write Helen Hicks and Dawn Lees

Helen Hicks, Dawn Lees

The University of Exeter

A group of students discussing a project

Teamwork, support and structure: the core principles of rewarding student internships

Student internships are an effective way to facilitate student-staff collaboration but, to work well, they require teamwork, the right support and structure, and a focus on tangible outputs

Craig McEwan

The University of Exeter

A man and a woman expressing shock at something they have seen on their phones

The power of precaution: navigating content warnings in academia

Basic principles to guide the use of content warnings in higher education, based on a student-led day-long workshop which invited input from university staff and students

Andrea Namirembe , Ella Taviner

The University of Exeter