More elbow room a must
Your leader about forcing academics into open-plan offices concentrates on the problems such arrangements cause for the health and well-being of staff ("Mavericks won't be corralled", 13 May).I have...
Your leader about forcing academics into open-plan offices concentrates on the problems such arrangements cause for the health and well-being of staff ("Mavericks won't be corralled", 13 May).I have...

Which universities have the X factor that attracts applicants? Rebecca Attwood gets the lowdown from students and brand experts in the UK
What turns US students' heads? An urban vibe, celebrity alumni, top sports teams, high-profile leaders. Oh, and academic reputation. Jon Marcus runs through the student checklist
Theories with wonderful names are emerging to describe our post-postmodern culture and society. Alan Kirby is fascinated by the 'cultural dominant's' shadow

Oh so cool - What makes a university fashionable?
Union ballots members over academic boycott. John Morgan reports
Two top managers leave as Sir Deian Hopkin takes over as interim chairman. Rebecca Attwood reports
Lord Lester of Herne Hill cites Simon Singh case in legislative quest for ‘fairer balance between private reputation and public information’. Paul Jump reports
Modernisation fund takes a hit as government cuts £200m from higher education. John Morgan reports
Former Oxford Brookes v-c Upton takes the reins in “a difficult economic environment”
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill reads like a toxic 25th-anniversary homage to Don DeLillo’s postmodern novel, says Robert Zaretsky

Russell Group would look at ‘radical options’ if funding boost isn’t forthcoming, Browne review is told. Simon Baker reports
Institutions charging more could face fines if they let students down, v-c warns. Simon Baker reports
In his maiden keynote speech as universities and science minister, David Willetts backs curiosity-driven research…and ‘competition from new providers’. John Morgan reports

Here be monsters, Deborah D. Rogers writes, and they're fun