Research

Data from study pinpoints first years after childbirth as biggest hit to women’s research productivity

Australian reviewer who proposed benchmarks before the crisis must now decide how and when to apply them

Until the pandemic forced teaching to go online almost overnight, universities were widely considered impervious to major change. But if one age-old practice can be flipped on its head, why not others? We ask six academics where they would direct their efforts first 

Evidence shows that universities outside the golden triangle are among the best at creating successful companies, says Brian McCaul

As Netflix’s film on Sutton Hoo illustrates, collaboration between academic and commercial research enriches understanding of history, says Susan Greaney

mRNA pioneers, Oxford vaccine scientists and Bill Gates are potential contenders for science’s top prize

Growth in collaboration and larger teams could mean that PIs and senior researchers reap citation rewards  

Katalin Karikó’s struggle with mRNA gives universities mandate – if they want – to tackle persistent barriers

Major scholarly publishers warn that some titles will become unviable unless open access scheme changes tack on compliance

The ‘feel’ for a person that comes from encountering them in their home is difficult to replicate in depth online, says Graham Crow

With scientists forced to work from home, many now conduct experiments from a distance, and the continent’s biggest research facilities think this change is here to stay

Percentage of papers with female authors rose markedly in latter part of 2020

‘No-cost’ administrative changes would save money and heartache, Australian researchers tell new minister

Researchers should campaign with the public to build back better, say Stephen Bradley, Jessica Butler and Chris Chambers

Executive chair says scholarship from non-medical subjects will be vital for post-pandemic society

Only losers focus on excellent science. Better to cook the books, spin the wheel and trust to cronies, say Robert de Vries and John Jerrim

Establishing clear performance goals can be crucial for the success of young researchers and research groups alike. Jack Grove speaks to laboratory leaders about taking a more enlightened approach to this task in difficult times

OECD finds science rose to the challenge of coronavirus, but this led to cancelled projects elsewhere and academics working outside their expertise

While arresting scientists, US slides on funding and misses commitment on rules consistency

Gang Chen, respected nanoengineering professor, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted

Reassessing operations through an institutional mission lens will prove more palatable than business-driven decisions, says ex-Adelaide boss

Thousands of PhD dissertations by Durham University available on Kindle services following mass scraping of online repository

Institutions with overseas links seen to be acting ‘on behalf of’ foreign interests

Data show that Italy’s misfortune to suffer early in pandemic was a benefit for research but it could be short-lived

Agricultural agreements between Australian universities and government agencies could overhaul farm profitability

Defence controls, research fields and New Colombo Plan in the frame, as bureaucracies flag foreign interference risks

The country’s universities have shot up global rankings on the back of huge investment and a ruthless focus on publication. But as the country gears up for its next five-year plan, Joyce Lau asks whether stratospheric ambitions for a ‘Chinese Harvard’ can be met

Perfunctory guidelines tell Australian universities little they did not already know, but herald welcome dialogue

Ministry warns researchers against ‘degrading’ nation in pursuit of international journal publication

Praise for Covid vaccine creators is deserved, but the extraordinary work of other scientists must not be overlooked, says Nicholas Dirks

Three professors shortlisted for Times Higher Education’s Research Supervisor of the Year award discuss their approach to mentoring

Academics will have to pay up to £7,800 for free-to-read option

Fearful of lagging behind the US and China, the continent now has multiple Darpa-like agencies. But they face challenges securing political independence, funding, and turning prototypes into reality

Australian trials cancelled over interference with HIV tests

While eLife is planning to publish only preprints, even it concedes that journal brand still counts for a lot, notes Michael Marinetto

Government pressure found causing harm beyond the loss of foreign partners

International higher education scholar suggests global science is entering a new era of fragility

Update to study of coronavirus research during the pandemic shows falling rate of international co-authorship

Evidence suggests that different personality types are drawn to – and excel at – teaching and research, says John Dreijmanis

Inevitable examples of jargon or poor research are no reason to reject an entire discipline, say Debby Cotton, Elizabeth Cleaver and Dilly Fung

Event hears calls for improved careers services in universities to help steer PhD students and postdocs on opportunities

Academics say online methodologies can produce more collaborative, diverse and ethical research

Comparisons with big pharma distract from ‘amazing’ achievement that will lead to long-term dividends for science, say experts

Proposal is first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region for the world’s largest academic publisher

With global warming a priority for the next US president, the International Universities Climate Alliance can lead the academic response, says Ian Jacobs

Public engagement expert concerned about communities that scientists are failing to reach

Panel warns that action is needed to tackle excessive competition and casualisation if research careers are to remain attractive

Plan seems to unite various factions after acrimony, but could hinge on Whitehall’s post-Cummings appetite for research ‘levelling up’

Prestigious journal group seeks to spread cost of publishing across a greater number of authors than those accepted for publication

Plans for new research funding agency expected to go ahead despite exit of former top adviser to PM, but mission yet to be defined

Budgets and foreign ties likely constrained even with friendlier administration

Scientists ask why major journal published findings that female mentors may be bad for your career, even after reviewers pointed out flaws in the paper’s methodology

UK remains third on list for number of scientists but Germany and Australia have made up ground

Rare opportunities arise in a country with a small population and a big regard for science

Analysis of publication data since break-up of Soviet Union suggests collaboration could be making up for a lack of domestic resources

As debate intensifies on how to measure research excellence beyond publications, Jack Grove asks senior scientists how they assess intangible personal qualities when hiring researchers

Academics say Chinese higher education has long been hobbled by the lack of an ‘accurate system of academic evaluation’

Pre-approved grants referred to security agencies as another front opens up in debate over research risks

Vice-chancellors and business leaders urge tighter focus and fresh funding incentives to drive up industry-academia innovation

Academics urge governments to set up frameworks for ethical use of technology and reaffirm the need for greater multidisciplinarity