Online safeguarding

Advice on keeping universities and their students and staff safe from online harms, from cyberattacks to social media trolling. Here, you will find expert insights on establishing appropriate "netiquette" for online learning, understanding the risks of social media and AI tools, data protection, privacy and cybersecurity practices to prevent against phishing or ransomware attacks.

Ethical AI: safeguards for the research revolution

Artificial intelligence can accelerate discovery in ways humans alone cannot. For Hongliang Xin, the key is pairing AI’s power with ethical safeguards, institutional governance and responsible oversight

Hongliang Xin

Virginia Tech

Partner with news outlets to combat fake news

Five ways universities and media outlets can work together to build resilience against misinformation

Andreas Munzel

Vlerick Business School

Critical thinking v fake news: a case study

In this age of disinformation, how can universities embed critical thinking skills in their local communities? A face-to-face workshop could be the answer

Laura Bradnam

Birkbeck, University of London

A man types on a laptop, smartphone in the foreground

How universities’ mobile device management policies can increase cyber risk

Mobile device management is useful for university-owned devices, but making it a blanket requirement on staff and students’ personal devices can increase the potential damage of a major breach. Find out why – and how to protect your institution

Aybars Tuncdogan

King’s College London

A lecturer stands in front of a microphone

What to do when faculty spread conspiracy theories in the classroom

Are your university colleagues superspreaders of misinformation? Here’s what to do when fellow academics promote conspiracy theories, and how to safeguard critical thinking – without compromising academic freedom

Stefan T. Siegel

University of St Gallen

A woman uses a magnifying glass to check her phone

How to spot misinformation online

Find out two ways of approaching the identification of online misinformation – from an external perspective and an internal one. Stephanie Tsang shows how

Stephanie Jean Tsang

Hong Kong Baptist University

A man sits in darkness, illuminated by a smartphone that blocks his face from view

Four questions to ask to detect false news online

Even those working in higher education can fall for misinformation. Ask these four questions to get better at zeroing in on false news

Peter Cunliffe-Jones

University of Westminster

How to create a higher education AI policy

A successful university AI policy guides internal innovation and usage, directs resources and identifies key contacts for emergent needs. Here are the steps and considerations for writing guidelines

Eric Scott Sembrat

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

A four-step process to transform everyone into a fact-checker

The 4-Check strategy can help combat misinformation in the digital age. Here’s how to use it

Stephanie Jean Tsang

Hong Kong Baptist University

Digital padlock with motherboard imagery as the background

Retaining qualified IT staff is the key to cyber resilience

Practical guidance on training and empowering staff to maintain robust cyber-defences that protect students, the workforce and the institution as a whole

Petrus Mursanto

The University of Indonesia

An illustration of a computer screen, showing a face with a question mark

The looming threat of deepfakes

What are the implications of deepfake technologies on universities’ day-to-day operations and how can academic leaders act to safeguard their institutions? Here are three ways

Salah Al-Majeed

Al Akhawayn University

A screen showing several windows open on different news sites

Spark social justice awareness in the classroom

Exposing your students to a wide range of perspectives on one topic can help develop their social justice awareness. Stone Meredith shows how

Stone Meredith

Colorado State University Global

Young woman on couch with pillow looking at phone

How to choose an app that will encourage reporting of sexual violence on campus

Responsible technology can enhance university responses to gender-based violence reports. Here, Heather Flowe and Laura Stevens share what to look for and demand when choosing an app or platform

Heather D. Flowe, Laura M. Stevens

University of Birmingham

Dealing with abuse after public commentary

Communicating to the public can result in abuse of academics. Here, University of Southampton staff describe their experiences and provide tips on anticipating and dealing with trolling

Michael Head, Larisa Yarovaya , Ashton Kingdon , Millie Downer

University of Southampton

Five ways universities can protect faculty from online harassment

With more online engagement and interaction have come increased threats and attacks against faculty, staff and students. Here are measures institutions can take to raise awareness and provide support

Alexis Martinez

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

How to help students and staff with online harms

Rather than waiting to be told, here’s how to do something about online harms

Emma Bond and Andy Phippen outline what institutions can do to better support their students (and staff) when tackling online harms

Emma Bond, Andy Phippen

University of Suffolk, Bournemouth University

Sexual misconduct is still a big problem in universities

Despite positive steps, much remains to be done on sexual misconduct

A year on from the OfS’ statement of expectations, it’s time to implement effective, evidence-based approaches to address harassment and sexual violence

Emma Bond, Andy Phippen

University of Suffolk, Bournemouth University

Tips and apps to encourage better interaction with students

Classting and Remind are two lesser-known apps that can aid communication with your class when used effectively

Gloria Anahí Molina Barrón , Dania Arriola Arteaga

Tecnológico de Monterrey

An image representing good conduct online

Digital citizenship: creating safe and inclusive online learning spaces

Digital citizenship, or the ability to use and connect via technology responsibly, is now a vital life skill that educators must foster among students. Vicki Madden explains how to start by creating respectful online environments

Victoria Madden

The University of Edinburgh

Balancing student data collection and privacy protection

Increased scrutiny of universities as keepers of valuable data means institutions need to be well versed in data protection responsibilities. Andy Phippen offers key aspects to consider

Andy Phippen

Bournemouth University

Image representing a cyber security attack to illustrate advice on how to mitigate such risks

How to prepare and protect your institution against a future cybersecurity attack

It’s not a matter of if your institution will be hit by a cyberattack but when. Adrian Ellison shares some key actions for universities to better prepare for the inevitable

Adrian Ellison

University of West London

Supporting cybersecurity literacy for workforce-ready graduates

Employers need a cybersecurity-literate workforce, and higher education could play a valuable role in filling the gap

Steven Furnell

University of Nottingham

Fake news and bias can infect social media feeds, so university teachers need to educate students on how to read their platforms critically

Students aren’t giving up social media, so teach them how to question it

Whatever our own opinions on social media, we must educate our students about locating bias and reading their preferred platforms critically, says Stone Meredith

Stone Meredith

Colorado State University Global

Ransomware and other online dangers can be utilised by hackers to attack universities if they do not have their cybersecurity sorted

Cybersecurity in the HE sector – getting the basics right

Managing security updates, vulnerability reviews, password policies and multi-factor authentication are staple university needs, says Clive Madders

Clive Madders

Cyber Tec Security

Pushing boundaries and having fun can be crucial ways to rediscover the joys of teaching in universities

Want to be a better teacher? My daughter showed me we need to play more

Testing silly ideas and pushing boundaries are crucial − and liberating − but universities must provide digital spaces where we can do so freely, says Andy Farnell

Andy Farnell

Visiting professor

Steps universities should take to prevent cyberbullying among students

How to prevent cyberbullying from rearing its ugly head in universities

Christy Cheung presents preventive measures universities should take to tackle cyberbullying among students working online

Christy Cheung

Hong Kong Baptist University

Guidance on responsible collection and use of student data to enhance online teaching

Secure and transparent use of student data

Bronwen Swinnerton and James Pickering outline the steps all universities should take to ensure ethical and transparent collection and use of student data via ed-tech platforms

Bronwen Swinnerton, James Pickering

University of Leeds

Advice on the guidance available to frame responsible use of learner analytics to improve students' university experience

Responsible use of learning analytics to improve the university experience

Rebecca Ferguson presents useful guidelines and frameworks for using learner analytics safely and effectively to inform improvements to teaching and student services

Rebecca Ferguson

The Open University

Guidance on ensuring the cybersecurity of your online teaching and ed-tech

Cybersecurity in online learning

Mohammed Rehman explains what steps universities should take to educate staff and students about cybersecurity and how to protect themselves when teaching and learning online

Mohammed Rehman

Arden University

A shy student. Many young people do not want to see their likeness on-screen.

Teaching in the hall of mirrors: should faculty ever mention appearance?

Educators must pay attention to why young people are using platforms that allow social interaction without visual scrutiny, says Elizabeth Losh

Elizabeth Losh

William & Mary

Advice on managing strong emotional responses to difficult student communications

It’s been emotional: how to manage difficult student interactions

Student advisers often bear a heavy emotional burden when trying to assist students. Meg Cohen offers advice on how to manage such emotionally challenging situations

Meg Cohen

Georgetown University

Considerations for safely teaching remote students studying in countries with strict press controls

Safely teaching foreign students facing censorship

Foreign students studying online in their home countries may be subject to strict press controls, so educators must carefully consider their course content and discussion points, Pavin Chachavalpongpun explains

Pavin Chachavalpongpun

Kyoto University

Take steps to ensure a safe and respectful online learning environment through good ‘netiquette’

Netiquette: encouraging good behaviour in online classes

Online teaching can blur boundaries between home and university, so lecturers must take steps to ensure a safe and respectful online learning environment through good ‘netiquette’. Sam Smidt and Joanna Stroud explain how

Sam Smidt, Joanna Stroud

UCL

Running safe and secure online meetings and calls

New digital teaching methods risk exposing personal and sensitive information among students and staff. Here are best practice tips from Matthew Davis on running safe and secure online meetings and calls

Matthew Davis

Leeds University Business School

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