Alarm raised over firm's research role

GlaxoSmithKline has unprecedented influence in EPSRC call, chemist argues. John Gill reports

RCUK starts to ask for 'impact summary' from grant seekers

Researchers will have to demonstrate the economic or social impact of their work to win funding under controversial new rules announced by Research Councils UK.From this week, applicants for grants...

You know what I really hate ...?

On Facebook, lecturers share gripes about students, peers, managers and more, writes John Gill

Higher education labours under 'Soviet regime'

It stops short of comparing John Denham to Joseph Stalin, but new research suggests that the Universities Secretary presides over a Whitehall regime that has much in common with the old Soviet system...

HR report on staff stress dismissed as 'valueless'

Institute director circulates survey findings with 'health warning' attached, writes Melanie Newman

Government promises to help every student with ability go to university

Paper says poor children will get aid that matches that of the best schools. Rebecca Attwood reports

'Concern' over access spending statements

A new requirement for universities to report how much they spend on their efforts to widen participation could result in "gameplaying", it has been claimed.This week, the Higher Education Funding...

Hefce's cash clawback hits battered London Met

Funding council's move means redundancies are now inevitable, says v-c. Rebecca Attwood reports

Unease over Liverpool's plans for a research-focused 'realignment'

Voluntary redundancy offer may herald further upheaval, says UCU. Melanie Newman reports

Salford to shut complementary medicine BSc

The University of Salford is to stop offering undergraduate degrees in acupuncture and complementary medicine because they are no longer considered "a sound academic fit".The university said it...

Daytime TV: Slings and arrows

Outrageous fortune runs through the worlds of darts, particle physics and Dad's Army, learns Gary Day

Cartoon by Ham

Disciplinary proceedings and criminal investigations

Previously in this column we have considered the features of a fair investigation into concerns raised by, or about, an employee. One particularly thorny area is when an employer or manager is...

Top nations in the sciences and social sciences by output

 Country Papers produced 1999-2008% world output 1999-2008% world output 1989-931 United States 2,999,344 31.838.22 Japan806,008 8.58.03 Germany775,787 8.27.74 England687,778 7.37.25 China586,664 6....

The support troops are getting flak

Social scientists deployed in war zones to engage with civilians and advise US military commanders are under fire from their peers, writes Jon Marcus