How service learning can help students create a positive change in the communityService learning can help students develop a civic mindset, universities achieve their third mission and communities flourish as a result. Intan Azura Mokhtar shows howIntan Azura Mokhtar Singapore Institute of Technology
Use design thinking principles to create a human-centred digital strategyCreating 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 outsetJoe HollandThe University of Exeter
Support for faculty on long-term leave is a career lifeline Institutions and academics both benefit when support frameworks are in place to help extended leavers back into work. Four educators offer a case study in what one might look likeTheresa Mercer , Jim Harris, Ron Corstanje, Chhaya Kerai-Jones Cranfield University
How to get promoted from an adjunct to a permanent positionTransitioning from an adjunct to a permanent position requires a multifaceted approach that combines teaching excellence, professional development, networking and a clear demonstration of commitment to the institution’s mission, writes Shruthi J. MayurShruthi J. MayurManipal Academy of Higher Education
How to support your staff during personal crises A little-discussed aspect of leadership is how to support faculty and staff during times of trouble. Here, Helen Norris offers advice for making space and effective communicationHelen NorrisChapman University
Gender equality is more than a box-ticking exercise – let’s champion itThe higher education sector is ideally placed to inspire talented women and improve the gender balance in the workplace. Kate Allum advocates for the power of self-beliefKate AllumUniversity of the West of Scotland
Empowering women leaders in fighting climate change: a call to action Achieving gender balance goes beyond mere representation, writes Tahseen Jafry. Tackling the climate crisis necessitates a profound shift among the next generation of leaders towards gender-sensitive decision-making processesTahseen Jafry Glasgow Caledonian University
The challenges facing female leaders in higher education – and how to address themWomen still face many hurdles on the road to leadership in higher education. Qiuling Chao outlines how we can overcome themQiuling ChaoXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
How to develop and nurture social presence in a learning communityFostering a rich learning community in your module or programme can be difficult. Here, Hannah Shaw and Mike Hackman draw on staff and student feedback to provide quick, effective wins to develop the social presence in your learning communitiesHannah Shaw, Mike HackmanCardiff University
How to attract students who think they cannot afford higher educationAs people all over the world grapple with rising costs, what can universities do to ease the financial burden of higher education from the very start of the process? Brooke Wilson offers her adviceBrooke WilsonColorado State University Global
Film storytelling can enhance learning in STEM subjectsIn the era of social technologies, authentic storytelling becomes a powerful tool for cultural and social change, a fundamental role of higher education, writes Arijit MukhopadhyayArijit Mukhopadhyay University of Salford
Nudge your way up the NSS ladderSmall module changes based on behavioural insights into human flaws can help students collaborate more and procrastinate less – and boost engagement outcomes in your classes, writes Jana SadehJana SadehUniversity of Southampton
Build yourself a life raft by establishing a strong mentor relationshipMentorship can offer a place of stability amid the choppy waters of a new role. Ibiyemi Omeihe explains how to find your new guideIbiyemi Omeihe University of the West of Scotland
Crossing time zones: developing a transnational professional development series Co-creation with TNE partners allows both front-line educators and host institution opportunities for quality assurance and pathways to build communities of practice. Here, Dom Conroy and Santanu Vasant outline 11 steps to working with international partnersDom Conroy, Santanu VasantLondon Metropolitan University
How to turn down a promotion without losing face Being offered a promotion might be satisfying, but if it doesn’t align with your career goals, you should not feel obligated to accept the job, writes Shwetha Mudabagilu KrishnappShwetha Mudabagilu KrishnappManipal Academy of Higher Education
How to turn an average collaboration into a dream teamIn this extract from ‘Scientific Collaboration’, Jeanne M. Fair advises scientists to hone the skill of collaboration for better researchJeanne M. FairLos Alamos National Laboratory
Strategies for cultivating academic resilience In a career that will make you question everything, challenge and failure are tools for moving forward, writes Andrew Stapleton. Here, he offers techniques to build resilience after setbacksAndrew StapletonIndependent academic
How can accounting educators cultivate highly sought-after graduates?Accounting education must prepare graduates with the skills to thrive in a profession that is experiencing radical changesSusan Smith , Richard MurphyUCL, University of Sheffield
Creating safe spaces for students to talk about financial difficultiesPoor financial health can lead to mental health difficulties and isolation for students. Here, Caroline Deylaud Koukabi and Joanna West offer tips for giving students inclusive spaces to discuss concerns amid the cost-of-living crisisCaroline Deylaud Koukabi, Joanna WestUniversity of Luxembourg
How to create effective listening environments for neurodiverse, international and deaf studentsIt’s important to consider the influence of your learning environment on listening effort, cognitive load and cognitive fatigue. Here are some tipsLindsey JonesThe University of Manchester
Make ‘switch your phone on’ a requirement of your lessonsStudents are more likely to carry smartphones than pens when they walk into your class, so make use of their potential. Fernando Rosell-Aguilar outlines how to involve your students’ favourite device in active learning experiencesFernando Rosell-Aguilar Arden University
How academics can ‘stay put’ without ‘staying still’Moving universities for career advancement is a common practice in academia. But what happens if you want to remain in the same institution? Here, Doune Macdonald shares how to keep progressing into new roles and responsibilitiesDoune MacdonaldThe University of Queensland
Researchers should harness the explorer’s spirit to find their career pathLee Chien Ching shares advice to her younger self and other early career academics on forging your own path through the sometimes forbidding jungle of academiaLee Chien Ching Singapore Institute of Technology
Could Athenian democracy improve the quality of science?What if universities were governed according to the open culture that drives scientific research itself? Zoltan Dienes and Jörg Huber look at an ancient model for decision-makingZoltan Dienes, Jörg HuberUniversity of Sussex, University of Brighton
Six tips for when you’re moving up into managementMaking the leap into administration can feel daunting, but Yağmur Çerkez’s advice will help you to develop the skills and strategies you need to thriveYağmur Çerkez Near East University
How our Study Together programme promotes belonging and improves well-being By offering students a space to meet, study and socialise outside the classroom, universities can improve engagement and reduce feelings of loneliness on campusGemma StandenThe University of East Anglia
The transformative power of mentoring in historically black colleges and universitiesHBCUs’ culture of generosity and community has much to offer all colleges and universities, write Marybeth Gasman and Levon T. Esters. Here, they distill their research into four key elements Marybeth Gasman, Levon T. EstersRutgers University, Penn State University
Sustainability accounting is coming: here’s how to navigate itWe can expect radical changes in sustainability accounting over the next few years. Developing a sustainability mindset for yourself and your students seems like a good place to start, write Sulaiman Aliyu and Toby YorkSulaiman Aliyu, Toby York Middlesex University
Use design thinking and storytelling to help international students find their voicesExchanging stories allows students to express themselves and relate to others, a team at the University of Warwick explain and share activities that encourage thisBo Kelestyn, Nikita Asnani, Minali Sanghani, Weiwei Su, Janet ZhengThe University of Warwick
How practical education and talent management support medical studentsA practice-oriented focus together with personalised talent support lead to success in medical education for local and international students. Here, Alán Alpár explains why teaching, science and patient care must go hand in handAlán AlpárSemmelweis University
Sprinting in hindsight: what we learned from validating university programmes at paceHaving used a Design Sprint methodology for university-wide academic programme validation, has the dash to a photo finish improved quality processes? Zoë Allman and Leanne de Main share their experienceZoë Allman, Leanne de MainDe Montfort University
The double-edged sword of open access publishingInclusivity is seen as a benefit of open access publishing, but is this an illusion? Here, William E. Donald asks questions about who pays and what counts, and offers scenarios for a fairer journal modelWilliam E. DonaldUniversity of Southampton
Use Etherpad to improve engagement in large transnational classesBy leveraging technology to create an anonymous and collaborative space, educators can empower hesitant students to actively contribute and foster a more interactive and inclusive learning environmentYing FengXi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Every student in Scotland can vote: here’s why that should matter to educatorsTeach your students that voting is an investment in the future – and help them build a lifelong habit. Murray Leith offers advice Murray LeithUniversity of the West of Scotland
Four steps for integrating generative AI in learning and teachingFrom class preparation to critical thinking and reflection, this four-step checklist will help university teachers support the ethical and informed use of artificial intelligence tools in the classroomZheng Feei Ma, Antony HillUniversity of the West of England Bristol
How to make the move from academia to academic administrationTransitioning from academia to academic administration requires proactivity and a desire to learn. Here are some tips to help you prepareN. N. SharmaManipal Academy of Higher Education
How to enhance pharmaceutical education through case-based learningCase-based learning helps students apply their knowledge and improve patient outcomes. Here is how to integrate it into pharmaceutical educationNarumol PhosrithongSiam University
Writing courses can be more enriching for international students than you thinkFor many international students, English writing courses are a requirement. While such courses can help them polish their definite articles, they can do so much more. Umasankar Patra suggests harnessing the diversity in your classroomUmasankar PatraThe Indian Institute of Technology Madras
How to harness community knowledge to tackle complex policy challengesWorking with local communities can help uncover new insights to tackle complex social policy challenges. Saffron Woodcraft and Joseph Cook explain how to set up high-impact citizen social science researchSaffron Woodcraft, Joseph CookUCL
Celebrate Black History Year and tackle racial inequality all year longInstead of consigning the recognition of Black histories to one single month, Deborah Husbands, Stephen Bunbury and Dibyesh Anand advocate for a Black History Year Deborah Husbands , Stephen Bunbury, Dibyesh Anand University of Westminster
How to engage with the media and expand the impact of your workAcademic scholars are generally not trained to write for broad audiences, so how do you get your compelling, newsworthy research out there? Gregory R. Goldsmith offers five considerationsGregory GoldsmithChapman University
Finger on the pulse: establish a culture of communication for better feedbackWhy wait until the end of the course to hear from your students? Sasha Lanyon encourages a real-time, authentic approach to student evaluationSasha LanyonUniversity of Adelaide
Believe it or not, you can use conspiracy theories as tools for teachingWhen misinformation is a global risk, critical thinking skills are more vital than ever, writes Malcolm Schofield. Here, he offers techniques from parapsychology and belief studies that can make research and analysis more rigorous Malcolm SchofieldUniversity of Derby
We set up a thought leadership programme to amplify PhD researchDalhousie's OpenThink programme shows how universities can empower the next generation of thought leaders and facilitate public engagement Lynne M. Robinson Dalhousie University
Transition from expert to guide by embracing generative AIIn the process of learning how to use generative AI, Kyrin Liong rekindled her inner student Kyrin LiongSingapore Institute of Technology
How to facilitate knowledge exchange and build trust with policymakersThose seeking to create impact with their evidence should be ready to understand how public sector bodies make sense of the value of research, writes Julian MolinaJulian MolinaThe University of Bristol
How to keep LGBTQ+ students safe when studying abroadWhat can universities do to help their LGBTQ+ students study abroad and travel the world, without compromising their safety? Raquel Recuero provides adviceRaquel RacueroHealix
The language of inclusivity is not inclusiveTerms such as equity, diversity and inclusion give the impression that they are dealing with what is present. In fact, EDI work deals with what is absent, writes Pascal Matthias. He offers ways to think, speak and write differentlyPascal MatthiasUniversity of Southampton
What we learned from a pilot study aimed at getting first-generation students into pharmacyMany students have little knowledge of the role and career opportunities of a pharmacist. This is even more so the case for first-generation studentsCarl Harrington, Rosemary Norton The University of East Anglia
Giving graduation a 21st-century makeoverGraduations can be stuffy affairs, writes James Derounian. He suggests that with technological wizardry, student voice and a little awe, universities could add sparkle to the pomp and ritualJames DerounianUniversity of Bolton