North America

How to embrace change as a spectrum

In a complex, ever-evolving environment, faculty may need strategies to navigate their fluctuating comfort levels. Here are ways to lean into change – from reflection and curiosity to active participation

LaTrese Ferguson, Rachel Watts, Bryan Harber, Tim Edmonds-King

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Universities on Fire climate change podcast

Campus talks: universities aren’t too small to lead the climate crisis fight

It’s easy to feel hopeless in the face of climate change, but, in this episode, two experts offer ways universities – and individuals – can make a difference to their local area and the planet

Bryan Alexander, Sebastian Pfautsch

Georgetown University, Western Sydney University

What distinguishes a university from a knowledge enterprise?

In this extract, David Staley and Dominic Endicott offer 12 features that characterise institutions committed to attracting talent to their region for economic growth and their own survival

David J. Staley, Dominic D. J. Endicott

The Ohio State University, Northstar Ventures

Multi-racial students walking arm in arm on graduation day

Supreme Court holds affirmative action unconstitutional, so what’s next?

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling against race-conscious admissions means many US universities must review their policies and practices to avoid further legal action. Audrey J. Anderson offers some useful first steps

Audrey J. Anderson

Bass, Berry & Sims Plc

The dark side of AI’s promised efficiencies

Artificial intelligence can use data and algorithms in a way that prioritises rationality over values such as fairness and quality of education, writes Vern Glaser

Vern Glaser

University of Alberta

Unlocking padlock and open access publishing

Open access is inevitable – only the ‘how’ remains up for discussion

Scholarly knowledge is produced mainly at taxpayers’ expense. Why they should have to pay again to read it remains a mystery, writes Peter Baldwin

Peter Baldwin

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), New York University

Ntarama church massacre memorial in Rwanda

A case for bringing ethics of friendship and care to academic research

Friendship adds ethical and emotional dimensions that can make research equitable, sensitive, responsive and consequential to local communities, writes Noam Schimmel, based on his experiences in Rwanda

Noam Schimmel

University of California, Berkeley

Teacher helping black student in computer class

Co-creation as a liberating activity

How to use student co-creation to bring active participation and collaboration into the learning experience, based on insights from the Liberated Learners open educational resource

Terry Greene

Trent University

Depressed young black man on a park bench

Why students and faculty alike need mental health first-aid training

Basic knowledge and skills could empower university communities to promote and destigmatise mental health issues and empower individuals to recognise risks and seek assistance, writes Noam Schimmel

Noam Schimmel

University of California, Berkeley

Conceptual image of someone using AI generated knowledge

How ChatGPT killed my discussion boards and prompted new prompts

Advice on learning and discussion prompts that require students to think beyond the remit of AI responses

Sara Cline

Athens State University

It’s time to radicalise the writing proficiency exam

Written exams should generate writing that vibrates with personality, exploration of ideas and an urge to communicate, says Tyler Thier

Tyler Thier

Hofstra University

Campus interview: Jonathan Koppell, Montclair State University

In this interview, Montclair State University president Jonathan Koppell talks about accessibility for minoritised groups, the power of creative communication and why he thinks universities need to own their part in the public’s diminishing trust in higher education

Jonathan Koppell

Montclair State University

How business schools could lead the charge to revive faith in higher education

As US higher education faces a drop in student numbers, business schools could help transform universities into the cross-disciplinary experiential learning hubs needed today, write Ahmad Al Asady and Siri Terjesen

Ahmad Al Asady, Siri Terjesen

North Dakota State University, Florida Atlantic University

A tale of two models: rethinking shared governance

Ryan Litsey and Jon McNaughtan discuss how the growth of faculty-turned-administrators has complicated the traditional view and execution of shared governance

Ryan Litsey, Jon McNaughtan

Texas Tech University

A student raising a hand with a question in class

Want to know how your class is going? Ask your students

A guide to what, when and how to ask your students for feedback on your course in order to inform improvements to your teaching

Stephanie Foster, Kalpana Gupta

The University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University

For diverse communities to thrive, we need intersectional policies and practices

Inna Stepaniuk offers suggestions on how to design an inclusive and equitable campus

Inna Stepaniuk

Simon Fraser University

Dos and don’ts for welcoming military in the college classroom

We need to be prepared for the specific needs of active military, veterans and their affiliates and know how to work with them in appropriate, thoughtful ways, says Stone Meredith

Stone Meredith

Colorado State University Global

Pride in HE: how to create an inclusive community online

With more university education now being delivered digitally, Richard Senese offers advice on how leaders can make sure they are building an LGBTQ+ inclusive community online

Richard Senese

Capella University

The how and why of building a network in higher education

Sandy Jones gives advice to her 22-year-old self on the value of networking and how to get started – despite not owning a single high heel

Sandy Jones

Colorado State University Global

Ease students’ climate anxiety by encouraging climate action

Climate anxiety is a mental health issue and universities can help students overcome it through climate action, multiplying their own impact along the way, writes Cecil Scheib

Cecil Scheib

New York University

hands making a heart shape in from of a transgender flag

Keeping dead names out of convocation

Trans students shouldn’t have to worry about being dead-named as they accept their parchment. Norma Rodenburg and Carrie Smith share four things to consider when making the switch from legal to affirmed names for graduation ceremonies

Norma Rodenburg, Carrie Smith

University of Alberta

Young female student talks to an older coach or mentor

How academic coaching influences student performance and institutional outcomes

As colleges and universities grapple with stagnant graduation rates, academic coaching offers a tangible means to improve individual student performance as well as institutional outcomes, Lindsay F. Tierney explains

Lindsay F. Tierney

Virginia Commonwealth University

Podcast discussing building resilience and protecting well-being among university staff and students

Campus talks: how the university library is an agent of change

Often overlooked, university libraries are critical to the teaching and research missions of institutions. They also play a key role in digital innovation and community outreach. Two librarians tell us more about how they see their work as agents of change

Masud Khokhar, Toni Carter

University of Leeds, Athens State University

multiracial group of students eating burgers outside

Creating a reusable takeout dish programme on campus

Want to reduce single-use waste at your university? In this guide for students and administrators, Rojine McVea offers tips for how to set up a reusable dish service based on her own experience

Rojine McVea

University of Alberta

How to convey the benefits of higher education to government and policymakers

From identifying the decision-makers to presenting clear evidence, Jamie Gilbert Mikell shares tips for communicating the value of higher education to government and policymakers in the US

Jamie Gilbert Mikell

Athens State University

Making LGBTQ+ individuals feel safe, valued and empowered on campus

Gender-inclusive housing, research opportunities and informed mental health support are among the ways universities can create a welcoming environment for the full spectrum of the queer community

Aaron Davis

University of Washington

Two women giving a presentation to their colleagues

University administrators can and must act to nurture LGBTQ leaders

Advocacy by straight administrators and expansion of mentoring could increase the number of LGBTQ leaders in higher education, writes Kevin Leonard

Kevin Leonard

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Three diverse students talking on a university campus

Steps to promote LGBTQ+ students’ well-being on campus

What can universities do to promote greater LGBTQ+ student well-being and positive academic outcomes? Kristen A. Renn provides some answers

Kristen A. Renn

Michigan State University

HE has its head in the sand on long Covid, and it could prove costly

Long Covid is far more common than most people let on, so institutions must be ready to support its students, staff and faculty – here’s how

Mays Imad , Skylar Magee , John Nugent

Connecticut College

Woman holding light bulb with symbols of academic fields surrounding it

A campaign to communicate the impact of university research

With public perception of US higher education in decline, universities urgently need to send an engaging, integrated message about how their work benefits society, writes Paul M. Rand. Here’s how his institution is doing it

Paul M. Rand

The University of Chicago

A group of medical students stand around a patient in bed

Social justice as part of medical education

Five strategies universities can adopt to aid medical students’ understanding of and engagement with social justice principles as part of healthcare training

Priya Harindranathan

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

American football team starting a new play

Making male athletes key players in preventing sexual assault on campus

Young sportsmen have the influence to shift campus attitudes away from rape culture and misinformation towards accountability and support for survivors. A US-wide programme aims to empower them to do so

Tracey Vitchers

It’s On Us

Four students each responding differently to an assignment question

Tips (from a librarian) for creating assignment prompts

A guide to crafting and writing clear assignment instructions that students can understand and follow

Toni Carter

Athens State University

Two women discuss an investment opportunity

Invest in the future with student-managed funds

Student-managed investment funds are an effective way to give students real business experience and develop their professional skills. But they need careful planning and support from faculty, Ahmad Al Asady explains

Ahmad Al Asady

North Dakota State University

Campus talks: when pop culture meets academia

Can superheroes teach us about physics? What can studying Kylie Minogue tell us about gender politics? Two academics talk about the intersection of popular culture and higher education

Michael Dennin, Liz Giuffre

University of California, Irvine, University of Technology Sydney

A ‘grocery store’ model can help your campus food bank reduce waste

A move from pre-packed hampers can make university food banks more efficient and the space more welcoming – and build a stronger community. Erin O’Neil offers tips for switching to a grocery-store model

Erin O’Neil

University of Alberta

Illustration of man in suit hurdling ahead of robots

Effective assessment practices for a ChatGPT-enabled world

Assessment methods that require students to produce authentic, novel and personalised responses can help educators stay ahead of the uncertainty and workload that AI writers create

Jonna Lee

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Assignment paper with a C-plus grade and 'satisfactory' comment

How the idea of ‘excellence’ can be misleading in higher education

A new approach to achievement could see a focus on As give way to a suite of mastery that meets students’ needs – and helps faculty balance expectations, writes Michael Dennin

Michael Dennin

University of California, Irvine

A man standing on a rock, staring out into the distance

A vision for graduate supervision

Supervising graduate students is a responsibility and skill that goes far beyond the mere transmission of knowledge, as Daniel Jutras explains

Daniel Jutras

University of Montreal

Man speaking through a megaphone while his shadow is urging silence

Unearthing the hidden curriculum in international classrooms

How educators can help international students navigate the unspoken assumptions, expectations and norms of US higher education

Andrea Feldman

The University of Colorado Boulder

Podcast discussing building resilience and protecting well-being among university staff and students

THE podcast: an interview with Nicholas Dirks, president and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences

The former chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley and current president and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences makes the case for more humanities studies and argues that science shouldn't be leveraged in geopolitics

Nicholas Dirks

Campus

Tips for universities on delivering effective EDI degree programmes

Workplace demand for EDI expertise is growing, and numerous universities are now offering full degree programmes in this area. Eli Joseph offers starting points for doing it well

Eli Joseph

Columbia University

Field journals: a deceptively simple solution for improving engagement

Sending students into the field armed with journals (and latterly iPads) has provided pedagogical lessons that can be applied far beyond my field of natural history, says Michael Brunson

Michael Brunson

Kansas State University

A tired looking man at his laptop rubbing his eyes

Understanding compassion fatigue and how to prevent it

Tips and strategies for reducing compassion fatigue among university faculty and staff

Catherine Wehlburg

Athens State University

Why it is time to start co-creating professional development with employees

Steps to working with employees to shape and improve professional development programmes

Heather Emerson-Young

Northeastern University

Summit of Ha Ling Mountain with Rundle Range and Banff National Park, Alberta, Canadian Rockies in the background

Restructuring a university, part one

When Bill Flanagan took the helm, the University of Alberta was facing a $222 million funding cut – 20 per cent of the university’s operating budget. In this two-part article, he explains how the university undertook a historic overhaul

Bill Flanagan

University of Alberta

illustration of a man climbing a mountain with flag on top

Restructuring a university, part two

When funding pressures made it clear that the University of Alberta had to change, it overhauled its entire way of working. Here, president Bill Flanagan explains how they did it

Bill Flanagan

University of Alberta

Middle-aged woman with laptop looking out office window

You’re not alone: tips to help academics avoid social isolation

Connections with colleagues matter – without them, support during periods of reappointment, promotion or tenure can feel tenuous. And those unwritten expectations of collegiality become opaque, explains Karen Z. Sproles

Karyn Z. Sproles

United States Naval Academy

Scales, stars and numbers: the question of evaluation

Marking schemes are a recurring source of contention in academic discussions, where the key word is evaluation. Daniel Jutras offers a brief reflection on the art of grading and feedback

Daniel Jutras

University of Montreal

Group of four multi-racial people holding speech balloons

Small talk: love it or leave it, but teach it to your TAs

Casual conversation fosters a sense of belonging, but it’s not a universal skill. Sarah Kegley details a short workshop that helps international teaching assistants feel at ease making small talk

Sarah Kegley

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

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