The Pick - Cloak and dagger
Aware: Art Fashion IdentityRoyal Academy of Arts, until 30 January 2011Susie MacMurray's Widow looks like a great black glistening ball gown, perfect for a Hollywood star at a grand reception. It is...
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The hidden dangers of higher tuition fees (1 of 2)
Throughout the debate on increasing university tuition fees, I have heard no mention of the hidden costs. Here are six of them:• One unplanned result of the increase is likely to be a significant...
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The hidden dangers of higher tuition fees (2 of 2)
I was a vice-chancellor for 20 years and regarded it as part of my brief to anticipate the next change in government policy and how to mitigate its effects on my university. In that I believe I was...
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Theory first, teaching later (1 of 2)
In The Idea of a University (1852), John Henry Newman reminded us of the danger of professional training in universities being absorbed by a narrow range of concerns. Building practical competence is...
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Theory first, teaching later (2 of 2)
After teaching in several schools, both in the UK and other developed countries, I moved into teacher training. My students were tutors who taught in fields as diverse as physics and policing.My...
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Low blow ignores evidence
David Willetts has announced that Aimhigher is to be abolished ("Black spots loom as Aimhigher shuts", 2 December). It isn't clear why this decision has been made, as the minister said he recognises...
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Heavily subsidised system
John Field has proposed that Scottish academics should accept voluntary pay freezes to "help shore up the sector's finances" ("Seeking volunteers: scholars urged to take pay freeze to aid Scottish...
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'Tricks' are not treats
As a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, I was very disappointed to see Martin Griffiths, national coordinator for science journalism training at the Royal Statistical Society (RSS), excuse the...
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Do dilly-dally (not for pay)
Recently, in an effort to procrastinate my way around a pile of university administration, I wrote three theatre reviews. The first was of the National Theatre's current production of Hamlet (1,800...
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David Frisby, 1944-2010
One of the leading sociologists of his generation has died.David Frisby was born in Sheffield on 26 March 1944, attended the local grammar school and went to work for the National Coal Board, which...
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Film review: 127 Hours
Duncan Wu applauds a nightmarish tale of a rock climber caught for five long days in a very hard place
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That letter: our vc's response
In a dramatic statement, our vice-chancellor has announced that he is still "more or less in two minds" about adding his signature to the UUK letter of support for the government plans on higher...
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Fuel for enlightenment
Sally Feldman fears the loss of EMAs will leave thousands without a future
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The perils of joining the Gulf rush
UCL opens postgraduate venture in Qatar
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From where I sit - Don't always follow the crowd
There are several strategies to maintain your mental health during long-haul flights. My favourite one is to ask myself one truly controversial question and then try to make an argument for it...