Feature article

What we learned from a pilot study aimed at getting first-generation students into pharmacy

Many students have little knowledge of the role and career opportunities of a pharmacist. This is even more so the case for first-generation students

Carl Harrington, Rosemary Norton

The University of East Anglia

Giving graduation a 21st-century makeover

Graduations 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 ritual

James Derounian

University of Bolton

Six ways to boost international student recruitment

International students bring diversity, talent and economic value to our universities and society. Here are some ways to encourage them to apply to your institution

Steven McGuire

University of Sussex

A glowing tool icon is generated from a tablet by a woman in the background

Use technology to boost productivity and beat burnout

Ayşe Hyusein advises using a range of techniques and tools for more effective time management

Ayşe Hyusein

Near East University

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

People at an event chat together in small groups

Four ways universities can enhance their community impact

Go beyond the campus walls to enrich the surrounding community educationally, socially and economically. Xiuli Guo outlines how

Xiuli Guo

University of the West of Scotland

Fostering student co-creation to give back to the community

Engaging in local civic projects offers students meaningful learning opportunities, fosters co-creation and supports the community at large. Here, Martha Sullivan outlines the benefits based on working with the Empty Bowls project

Martha Sullivan

Virginia Tech

Embedding lean practices in higher education

How can university processes be more efficient and sustainable? Here’s how one continuous improvement team took a viral approach to efficiency through lean thinking, lean leadership and lean toolkits

Tammi Sinha, Pete Rykowski , Michael Shaw

University of Southampton

Conference presentations 101: master the art of speaking to an audience

Don’t get stage fright when it comes to presenting your research. Ayten Ordu offers her tips for preparing for speaking success

Ayten Ordu

Near East University

How to craft a compelling academic CV

Being able to condense your qualifications and achievements into an impactful academic CV is key to standing out as a researcher. Here, Ishwar Bhiradi offers advice on articulation, visual appeal and savvy AI integration to help you make a memorable first impression

Ishwar Bhiradi

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

What support students need to succeed in work placements

Students in work-based learning placements need support before, through and when returning from their experience. Here is advice for universities and academic tutors to maximise the benefits of the opportunity for all

Saheda Begum, Zoë Allman

De Montfort University

Use students to facilitate impactful collaborations that benefit the community

Using students to connect third-sector organisations with people who can help them brings benefits to all involved. By Martin Parker

Martin Parker

The University of Bristol

Students in a lecture hall use futuristic learning technology

Cherry-pick the best of in-person and online learning

Using the best of in-person and online learning provides a truly blended approach to your students and enriches their learning experience. Ibham Veza and Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo weigh up the pros and cons

Ibham Veza, Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

Why press releases are a waste of your comms team’s time

Most universities will track press release output as part of overall communications metrics – but, asks Kylie Ahern, have you considered other ways to generate media coverage, awareness of your brand or better relationships with journalists?

Kylie Ahern

STEM Matters

Lecturer standing before a class full of pupils giving a lecture

Use a social approach to boost language learning

Using social activities fosters a more dynamic and meaningful connection between students and the language they’re learning. Yanfang Si offers guidance on building students’ knowledge and skills through structured social activities

Yanfang Si

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A hand uses a laptop trackpad as candles burn in the background

Protect your emotional well-being for a happier writing experience

Writing academic papers can be a long and emotional journey. Burcu Totur Dikmen offers her tips for emotional well-being

Burcu Totur Dikmen

Near East University

How Moocs helped a centuries-old institution change its ways

Moocs required us to rethink how to create open and free courses that would engage large numbers of learners. Over the years, we’ve adapted our services in response to lessons we’ve learned from our experiments, write Nikki Stuart and Lauren Johnston-Smith

Lauren Johnston-Smith, Nikki Stuart

The University of Edinburgh

Driving change through knowledge: how to increase policy impact

Academic research is invaluable in informing governments and leaders so they can make decisions that affect us all. Here, Yaryna Basystyuk offers advice on how to make your research count in the policy world

Yaryna Basystyuk

University of Southampton

Why you should do a university staff mobility programme

Why you should do a staff mobility programme and how to set one up

Whether you participate in an exchange or a traineeship, mobility programmes offer teachers unparalleled growth, but there are obstacles universities should help staff overcome

Shelini Surendran, Paul Townsend

University of Surrey

A multigenerational group of people link arms and gaze into the sunset

To build a community in higher education, start from the ground up

Gareth Morris and Fiseha Berhanu Tesema outline grass-roots initiatives to help make your campus a socially cohesive place to work and study

Gareth Morris, Fiseha Berhanu Tesema

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China

A young scientist uses a laptop and mobile phone in the lab

Science communication tips for university marketing teams

When research reaches a broader audience, it improves the society we live in and inspires the next generation of scientists. Iris Lai offers her advice on engaging the public with your institution's work

Iris Lai

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Don’t just chat(GPT): turn on critical interrogation

Critical thinking is often seen as the antidote to generative AI. But what if educators took it one step further back and aimed to encourage students’ curiosity? Giuseppe Cimadoro explains

Giuseppe Cimadoro

St Mary’s University Twickenham

Teacher giving a class to a room full of students

A framework for decolonising and diversifying science curricula

Actions you can take to make your science curriculum more inclusive and relevant to all students

Alice Robson , Bronwen Burton , Caroline McKinnon

The University of Bristol

How to work smarter, not harder in higher education

From effective delegation and tech integration to building networks and embracing self-care, here are some practical tips for academics seeking balance

K. V. Sriram

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

A road extends into the distance through a desert landscape

It’s about the journey: navigate the real-world landscape from within the classroom

Embark on a pedagogical road trip, exploring strategies to combine academia with industry dynamics. John Sinclair fastens his seatbelt and starts the engine

John Sinclair

Colorado State University Global

Targeted support to enhance retention among first-generation students

Outreach initiatives and support programmes can address first-generation students’ challenges, such as belonging and financial literacy, while increasing retention and graduation rates. Here, Charmaine Troy shares her recommendations

Charmaine Troy

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

How to keep first-generation students engaged throughout the academic year

Engagement opportunities don’t end with orientation or even the first year of study. Here, Araceli Martinez and Athina Cuevas explain how to build a programme that helps students develop confidence and leadership skills and support the next cohort

Araceli Martinez , Athina Cuevas

Chapman University

University students standing outside campus

Defining first-generation is harder than you think

The first step towards providing better support for first-generation students should be to acknowledge the variety of definitions that exist and develop a better shared understanding of how those definitions affect students

Brian Heseung Kim

Common App

An illustration of trapeze artists in business suits, performing a catch

How to build trust as a research supervisor

Building trust is a crucial foundation of the supervisor-supervisee relationship. Kingsley Omeihe argues it’s a two-way process

Kingsley Omeihe

University of the West of Scotland

A student practices their interviewing skills

Why your students need to learn the skills of a journalist

Interviewing real people to gain original stories and insights is a skill that will serve your students well in the age of AI. Julie Nightingale offers tips

Julie Nightingale

Nottingham Trent University

Group of multiracial mature computing students

What are the key components of an effective lifelong-learning culture?

Continuing engagement with education doesn’t just happen. Universities need to put the right elements in place to support a culture of lifelong learning, writes Cheong Fan

Cheong Fan

Macau University of Science and Technology

‘Resilience is grit amid uncertainty’

In this extract from ‘The Resilient University’, Freeman Hrabowski and co-authors offer the resources and mindset that higher education institutions need to develop to sustain themselves through challenges and crises

Freeman Hrabowski, Peter H. Henderson, Lynne C. Schaefer , Philip J. Rous

University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Maryland, Baltimore

An illustration of a robot hand reaching towards a butterfly

In the age of AI, teach your students how to be human

Look to the arts to help develop your students’ skills for navigating the real world. Lucy Gill-Simmen proposes her vision of a more well-rounded education

Lucy Gill-Simmen

Royal Holloway, University of London

Three ways to use ChatGPT to enhance students’ critical thinking in the classroom

The balance between technology and traditional educational values, as well as ensuring that AI complements, rather than replaces, the human element in education, are the keys to maximising AI’s benefits in the classroom, writes Nikolas Dietis

Nikolas Dietis

University of Cyprus

Eight ways to improve your digital well-being

To counteract the detrimental consequences of excessive screen time and digital overload, we must take a thoughtful and balanced approach, writes Nisha P. Shetty

Nisha P. Shetty

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

A mountain climber helps another up a steep hill

What does a research supervisor do?

Research supervisors must learn to be authentic mentors, as well as sharing their experience and knowledge. Robert Crammond reflects on his time in the role

Robert Crammond

University of the West of Scotland

A hand holds a tiny globe wearing a mortarboard

Tips for mastering the Global Shared Learning Classroom

The Global Shared Learning Classroom can help extend internationalism beyond traditional exchange programmes. Jorge Alvarez offers advice

Jorge Alvarez

Tecnológico de Monterrey

In-person events are still necessary

Should academics be travelling to events that could be done virtually? Drawing on her experiences at COP28, Denise Baden shares tips on how to make the most of these events – and why a chance to form alliances, learn from each other and share ideas for action make it worth being present

Denise Baden

University of Southampton

How to establish peer-to-peer support networks for online first-generation students

Given the limited opportunities for organic peer-to-peer interactions online, universities must use a data-driven approach to create opportunities for students to build connections, writes Nesha Thompson

Nesha Thompson

The University of the West Indies

human hands using laptop with robot hand emerging from screen

Students see the benefits of AI-generated learning content

Students might already show a preference for AI-generated online learning content, so academic colleagues and institutions need to capitalise on this to improve resource management and staff well-being, write Dean Fido and Gary F. Fisher

Dean Fido, Gary F. Fisher

University of Derby

How to help first-generation students navigate the challenges of higher education

First-generation university students face distinct challenges. Strategies such as mentoring programmes and conversations that celebrate their achievements can help them succeed

Lyn R. Keith

The University of the West Indies

A woman interviews for a new job at a university

How to show you’re the best person for the job

Many applicants struggle to articulate their successes in their applications for a job, promotion or award. Harriet Dunbar-Morris is here to help you make your case

Harriet Dunbar-Morris

University of Buckingham

A woman looks shocked as she browses a laptop

Give students the tools to judge difficult materials in context

After Osama bin Laden’s viral 'Letter to America', Nicholas Chan provides a pedagogical pathway to tackling difficult material

Nicholas Chan

Australian National University

Enhancing negotiation skills: a step-by-step guide for graduate students

The art of job-offer discussions is a skill that will serve scholars throughout an academic career. Here is what to consider and what to say at each stage of the process

Gaeun (Gwenn) Seo

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

A road map for advancing digital inclusion for your students, staff and community

A multi-departmental and collaborative approach to digital skills training has helped tackle digital exclusion at Staffordshire University. Raheel Nawaz explains the key initiatives

Raheel Nawaz

University of Staffordshire

Stay in your lane or swim sideways: working respectfully in the third space

Learning designers and subject matter experts often have to navigate the choppy waters of course co-creation. Here, Jay Cohen offers six tips for collaborating successfully

Jay Cohen

University of Adelaide

A professor laughs with a student over a laptop

What my students have taught me about being a teacher

Approach teaching as a collaboration between you and your students. Veselin Jungic looks back on what he’s learned

Veselin Jungic

Simon Fraser University

We used a hybrid escape room to dramatically boost student attendance

Low class attendance has been a growing trend since the pandemic, so how can we encourage students to come back? Educators at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University share their innovative strategy

Erick Purwanto, Na Li, Ting Ting Tay

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Better together: co-teaching to support equity in educator training

Clinical experiences, methods courses, service learning and experiential learning can enhance teacher candidates’ ability to support English language learners. Here, Molly Riddle and Kelli Bernedo offer advice for using co-teaching in educator training

Molly Riddle, Kelli D. Bernedo

Indiana University Southeast

How can we encourage more prospective first-generation students to apply to university?

Reflecting on her experiences as a first-generation student and widening participation practitioner, Raeesah Ellis-Haque shares insight into how universities can ensure communications and outreach activities speak to prospective first-generation students

Raeesah Ellis-Haque

The University of Bristol

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