Social scientists call for a revision of 'flawed' government consultation

Leading academics raise concerns over 'science and society' document, writes Zoe Corbyn

Government U-turn on overseas scholarships

Change of heart hailed as victory for universities, which have lobbied for a rethink. John Gill reports

Queen's shifts focus from 'nine-to-five' studies

Academics in Northern Ireland face much tougher teaching duties as they cope with a long-term slump in the number of traditional full-time students, it was warned this week.The province is expecting...

Expert cautions about the damage of commercial ethic in teaching

Paul Standish of the IoE warns learning is being viewed as a consumer product, writes John Gill

Overseas briefing

AustraliaResearch funding shortfallThe failure of the Australian Government to fund the full cost of research leaves universities out of pocket by A$900 million (£350 million), claims David Siddle,...

Drop in public funding blamed for rankings fall

Australian universities say financial constraints are cause of declining performance, writes John Gill

Australian students get remedial language help

Confronted with a generation of students lacking even a basic understanding of grammar and punctuation, an Australian university has introduced a remedial course to teach first years "language...

Science takes pole position

New minister Lord Drayson has a Cabinet seat and a drive to champion research. Zoe Corbyn reportsPaul Drayson, the new Science Minister, has sought to quell any fears academics may have that his own...

Grant winners

ARTS AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH COUNCILAward winner: Malcolm ValeInstitution: University of OxfordValue: £721,073The Gascon Rolls 1317-1468Award winner: James HegartyInstitution: Cardiff UniversityValue...

The curse of sleep

Gary Day learns narcoleptics can't sleep at night, quiz genii are insufferable and ministers clearly evasive

Cartoon by Ham

Fool's paradise by the dashboard light

The click-and-copy culture of “fast capitalism” breeds credulity. Tara Brabazon on educators’ duty to unsettle, probe and offer alternatives

Employment tribunal trends and disclosure of parties’ identities

A report recently published by Acas, the advisory, conciliation and arbitration service, offers a fascinating insight into trends in the employment tribunal. Tribunal trends Acas has recently...

Journal rankings in clinical medicine 1998-2008, based on citations per paper

Data provided by Thomson Reuters from its Essential Science Indicators, 1 January 1998-30 June 2008

A special relationship

Based on peer regard and impact, Anglophone institutions dominate the social sciences and arts