University governance

The theft of more than $800,000 by hackers prompted uncomfortable conversations about preparedness – or lack of it, says John Cox

Most presidents don’t get fired, and those who do typically go on to rewarding new positions, says Holden Thorp

In the wake of Jacinda Ardern’s and Nicola Sturgeon’s decisions to step down as leaders of their respective nations, university leaders and experts reflect on when is the right time to give up the biggest office on campus

When and how a leader’s tenure comes to an end can be down to many factors – what lessons can be learned from others who have served their time?

US administrators wary of losing millions in government funding over risky China ties, scholars say

Senior faculty are trying to prove their worth by making the lives of others so unpleasant that they agree to leave. It is time to call them out, says Aymen Idris

Removal of students from dormitories has left many scrambling to afford lodging in city or return to rural homes, where online learning is ‘impossible’

Incanting managerial buzzwords in response to a handful of free comments is not a strategy for improvement, says an anonymous academic

As political turmoil mounts in India, Jamia Millia Islamia v-c says she will protect students, but suspend those who go ‘too far’

As well-connected academic prepares to take the helm at her alma mater’s branch campus, she reflects on the opportunities – and challenges – for the institution and the nation

Higher education leaders are often reluctant to enter the political realm, but now this prudence carries the stench of cowardice, says Michael Roth

Dame Sally Mapstone will take up the role from 1 August

Sector’s progress in appointing women to top positions will help address remaining gender imbalances, but only with more work

Forcing teaching-focused academics to produce 3* research is like asking a world-class cricket bowler to focus on batting, says a research director

Ousted Cape Town vice-chancellor says her departure was a victory for the ‘opponents of change’, but insists she leaves the institution in good shape

Taking turns seen as sensible way to bring balance to solo roles, as new law debated by parliament

Politicians’ recent marshalling of public institutions for geopolitical, economic and societal ends has narrowed their room to manoeuvre, according to EUA’s autonomy scorecard

The regulator’s published approach to enforcement lacks basic safeguards around transparency, fairness and accountability, says Smita Jamdar 

Data reveals that 48 universities in the top 200 have female presidents or vice-chancellors

As the political currents enter a more favourable cycle, pan-regional institution’s boss looks to begin repair job on ‘regional’ campuses

Neuroscientist to leave post in summer 2024 after 14 years in charge

As soon as the departure of the Cape Town vice-chancellor was confirmed, the debate over her legacy began

Biochemist ends nine-year tenure at Norwich institution after staff pass vote of no confidence

Vice-chancellor to leave within weeks following row over exit of deputy

Tough new demands requiring institutions to produce world-class research could put some universities’ titles under threat. But is that a good thing?

Fate of vice-chancellor set to be decided at crunch meeting, with student protests also disrupting start of academic year

Union calls for criminalisation of ‘wage theft’ with jail time for worst offenders

Legal action seen as ‘the only way’ to force universities to stop ‘divesting responsibility’, senate committee hears

Ron DeSantis’ appointment of political operators as trustees risks compromising universities’ pursuit of the truth, says Richard Joseph 

Government backs parliamentary committee’s calls for action but promises ‘positive partnership’ with the sector

Board members of bankrupt Islamic institution accused of laundering more than €1 million and firearms offences

Institution famed for its brutalist campus has paid price for bad luck and bad decisions, staff say

Death of bodyguard won’t deter Fort Hare leader Sakhela Buhlungu from combating ‘cancer’ of graft gripping the South African sector

Westphalian Wilhelms University Münster set to become the University of Münster

University leaders should not outlive their ‘shelf life’, suggests Nobel laureate vice-chancellor

Ten groups of universities and ministries will explore whether the EU could and should label joint degrees and create a new legal status for cross-border institutions

Human rights expert heads back to UK from New Zealand, after previously holding Bristol deanship

It is compromising to instruct business students on the best ways of doing things but not to experience them in situ, says a lecturer and former CEO

Rather than attempting to block resolutions, university leaders should focus on creating people-first cultures, says Hanfu Mi 

Academic leader on equity and affordability sees many positives in Ann Arbor, but room for improvement in research and student experiences

Former Bank of England deputy governor will replace long-serving president Lee Bollinger

The idea of academic leadership has been largely reduced to management. But alternative HE visions are still being produced, says Ronald Barnett

The Armenian government’s aborted attempt to amalgamate three universities has left a bad taste, says Karine Harutyunyan

Haitian-born DesRoches aims to grow enrolment and diversity, boost research and create new global footprint

Pay and working conditions to be a key priority for incoming leader

Major equity win at elite campus held out as hopeful model for all of higher education, yet social scientist also takes heed of the forces that favour backsliding

Working in the academy reminds Duncan Money of his brief time on a market stall. Time to swap it for a stable job that pays the bills

Tymofiy Mylovanov has found fame, funding and support for students via his day-in-the-life tweets

Central government representatives are increasingly rejecting candidates selected by political foes in state governments, says Mukhtar Ahmad

Returning home to New York, John King envisions a future of top rankings on faculty, employment and equity – while promising his own tactical recalibration

Fadlo Khuri, president of the American University of Beirut, explains how his institution has coped with explosions, currency crises and Covid

With fervent political support and promises of substantial funding, on-again off-again amalgamation now appears viable

Daughter of Haitian immigrants, social scientist serving as dean of arts and sciences promises to bring new commitment to interdisciplinary achievement

There must be full transparency over the costs and benefits of a merged Adelaide University, says Binoy Kampmark 

Massification, metrics and consumerism have eroded what was distinctive about UK higher education, says Philip Langton

Move by Afghan government ‘opens door’ for more of its supporters to become lecturers, scholars fear

High upfront costs defeated the most recent proposal for the two South Australian institutions to join forces back in 2018 but now things have changed

Nation’s largest higher education system gets its first black and Puerto Rican chancellor, in the hope of translating size into prominence and equity, while also stemming demographic declines

Faculty need to find ways of seizing back the control that’s been wrested from them in the past few decades, says Gayle Greene

James Miller takes helm at University of the West of Scotland after ‘unconventional’ career path