Science

The Cambridge Philosophical Society’s influence on the development of scientific ideas and research cannot be overestimated, writes Geoffrey Cantor

Turning to dance may help scientists communicate their findings to those who distrust experts, claims competition winner

Four lab leaders explain how universities can help academics in the early days of running their first research group

New book explores proliferation of ‘starchitect’-designed facilities 

End of prestigious print publication after 103 years stirs debate over future of journal publishing in the digital age

However, latest data from EU suggests eastern European nations having more success in keeping gap narrow

As a new report reveals dissatisfaction with mentorship for female researchers, Jack Grove asks where responsibility lies

The furore over Brian Wansink’s data handling overlooks the fact that science should above all be about explanation, argues Martin Cohen

Jack Grove asks whether those who lead academic departments and universities can still realistically find the time to be effective researchers

Scientific excellence must mean more than ‘how good someone is with a round-bottom flask’, conference hears

China’s growing presence in Africa is causing many students to head to Asia rather than Western universities, says Zahir Irani

Simon Baker weighs the evidence for the transformation of the country’s higher education system

The University of South Australia’s merger with its prestigious Adelaide neighbour may be off, but the fact that it was even considered illustrates how much can change in 30 years, says Adam Graycar

After stockpiling land for decades, leading US university plans $1 billion (£774 million) science complex 

Book of the week: an intellectual superstar’s work merits more space amid the social history, says Richard Joyner

Donald Trump’s election prompted US scientific leaders to get more of their own into public office. However, as the midterm elections loom, progress on bringing analytical skills into the political arena looks like being very slow, writes Paul Basken

While widening access is high on universities’ agendas at undergraduate level, class barriers still prevail in the academy. Here, five working-class scholars describe their experiences of ‘otherness’

Seeking a greater share of imagined profits from commercialisation would undermine technology transfer, says David Secher

New international publishing figures confirm China has overtaken US and leading European countries, ahead of schedule

Academia’s exacting standards on attribution are spot on. It is their inconsistent implementation that is the problem, says David Sanders

A study of an amazing era of progress is as lively as the minds behind it, says Robert Lambourne

Alongside Donna Strickland, Arthur Ashkin breaks record for becoming oldest laureate at 96

US and Japanese immunologists’ protein studies recognised as major advancement in treatment of incurable cancers

Study finds further evidence to suggest peer review process riddled with gender and racial bias

Former doctoral student looks into the frontiers of research before the days of ethics committees

Science blooms when colleagues’ ideas cross-pollinate. Impediments to free movement will lead to a disastrous withering, says Sir Keith Burnett

Analysis shows thousands of researchers publish the equivalent of one paper every five days, but their involvement is often limited

The former Bank of England governor’s broadside against academic pension cuts relied on ‘reckless’ and ‘absurd’ assumptions, say John Ralfe and Bernard Casey

Universities must look beyond a narrow conception of impact to communicate the true value of higher education to society, say Ulrike Felt, Maximilian Fochler, Andreas Richter, Renée Schroeder and Lisa Sigl

Funny jokes improve class cohesion and dud gags do no harm, study finds – but offensive quips can alienate learners

Life as a comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe has many parallels with the experiences of early career academics, explains Anna Ploszajski

Error on Wikipedia page meant St Petersburg statue used likeness of Thomas Thomson instead of French architect

Drastic cuts necessary if funding situation not resolved, government agency warns

Nearly 50 years since war on cancer was declared, declarations of victory remain a distant prospect. Here, six cancer researchers assess the lie of the land

‘People who have been around at a university for a while assume they know everything…but actually they need to be educated themselves,’ says project leader

Cutting partner labs out of awarded grant budgets is a common but destructive phenomenon in modern academia, says Anne Carpenter

Martin Chalfie argues that young scientists who ‘play the game’ of publishing in selective journals are less likely to win permanent posts

Seekers of dispassionate truth may be irritated by the moral passion of the likes of Dostoevsky, Zola and Chekhov, but it is a much stronger influence on public opinion, says David Aberbach  

Book of the week: the values of research must be preserved despite political and economic pressure, says Harry Collins

Event will feature launch of four Times Higher Education subject rankings

Government may harness funding agreements to influence mix of teacher specialties

Dedicated department aims to accelerate move towards knowledge economy

End stigma against students who don't want to pursue careers in academia, says report

New £25 million fellowships launched by the African Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society

A rediscovered fascination for space means blue-sky opportunities for universities

Government pledges huge windfall for research facilities, but much of it will not be seen until the next decade

Richard Joyner on a heartening collection of accounts by more than 40 people who participated in worldwide demonstrations for science

THE Emerging Economies Summit hears senior university leader call for reform to address nation’s graduate employment crisis

Women are less likely to become principal investigators than equally qualified male scientists, Yale University researchers claim

Many issues that vex scholarly publishing today were there at the start, says Geoffrey Cantor

Via clear, vivid storytelling, Simon Mitton takes an engaging learning journey from Mother Earth out to the farthest galaxies

Book of the week: this book offers PhDs sound advice, Jennifer Rohn says, but it skirts the improbability of making it

Stanford's Londa Schiebinger warns that failure to account for differing impact of interventions on men and women is costing lives

Researcher says it is difficult to find portrayals of female scientists that focus on achievement

The Oxford physicist on his appreciation for nature, renewable energies and the importance of not being afraid to fail

University says Thomas Jessell violated university policies and values

Accusations are a ‘cruel and empty provocation against dedicated scientist’, say sector leaders

Senior MP says Sam Gyimah's failure to answer questions about research integrity may lead scholars to conclude area is 'not a ministerial priority'

Lab bench discoveries made during the 1800s were felt in the playhouse, says Matthew Broome

Academics celebrate major increase in basic research funding, but pledges fall short of recommendations in Naylor report