Respectful provocation: the university skill for our times?Challenging students about their assumptions and values makes them better equipped to engage with the challenges of living in a diverse society, writes Mathew GuestMathew GuestDurham University
A checklist for advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in medical sciences and education, part twoThree questions that medical sciences lecturers should ask when revising curricula to promote ethical considerations, an understanding of health inequities and diverse perspectivesMusarrat Maisha Reza, Mia-Rose GillisonThe University of Exeter
Lessons learned from a fellowship year as a dentist and early career researcherWinning a fellowship as a dentist and spending a year in Graz as an international scholar not only taught me about the profession but also fostered my self-awareness, writes Dániel VéghDániel VéghSemmelweis University
Trauma-informed care within academic settingsAs awareness of trauma and its effects on individuals grows, Imogen Perkins delves into what it means to be trauma-informed, and how its five principles could look within an academic setting.Imogen VarleDe Montfort University
How to promote disabled women in academia Disabled women are significantly under-represented in senior roles within universities. Here’s how – and why – institutions can and should support them better for career progression Meredith Wilkinson, Kelly Pickard-SmithDe Montfort University, The University of Manchester
Ten steps to equity: making fieldwork accessibleFieldwork can be isolating for disabled students and academics when it is not designed with inclusivity in mind. Becky Alexis-Martin shares 10 strategies to ensure disabled students and academics are included by field-based disciplinesBecky Alexis-MartinUniversity of Bradford
New students leaving care need extra support to beat the odds (again)Corin Barton says universities must recognise the various impacts a lack of family support can have on care-experienced students and offers simple steps to promote success Corin BartonThe University of Law
How to select and monitor climate adaptations for universitiesIn the fourth and final part of their series, Rob Wilby and Shona Smith explain how universities can implement adaptation measures and monitor their progress towards resilient net zeroRobert Wilby, Shona SmithLoughborough University, University of Leeds
Campus talks: how to be a good mentor and mentee Contributors from across the globe offer their advice on how to make these critical relationships work for everyone involved Campus contributorsCampus
Learning by doing: practical tips from a decade of making MoocsLessons gained during a decade of developing and refining massive open online courses from two online learning experts Stuart Nicol , Fiona BucklandThe University of Edinburgh
How to teach creative writing even if you’ve never done any yourselfA successful writing workshop depends on respect, which is a two-way street, observes Toby Litt. Refrain from sneering at bad writing and offer praise to offset the critiquesToby LIttUniversity of Southampton
An academic’s advice for navigating riskFrom publication to grant applications, the rites of academia come with unfavourable odds. Yet researchers are rarely taught how to deal with uncertainty. Here, Yaniv Hanoch offers mitigation strategiesYaniv HanochUniversity of Southampton
A checklist for advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in medical sciences and education, part oneThree questions that lecturers in medical sciences should ask when revising their curricula to promote diverse representation and health equityMusarrat Maisha Reza, Mia-Rose GillisonThe University of Exeter
How humour stimulates critical thinking, creativity and communication skills After assigning students to write comedy scripts instead of seminar papers, André Martinuzzi and Angelo Spoerk explain how humour has great potential as a learning methodAndré Martinuzzi, Angelo SpoerkVienna University of Economics and Business
How mentor and mentee can help each otherMentorship is a symbiotic relationship. Here, two scientists look at steps in the meeting process and benefits from both sidesGreta Faccio, Maria KoumouriIndependent academic, University of Cyprus
Help your students to become assessment literate Practical suggestions to address a staff-student disconnect relating to the purpose and practice of assessment and to enhance assessment literacy on your courses Eleanor Aspey, Gillian UlphThe University of Manchester
Using co-creation to make young people equal research partnersBased on her experience developing a youth panel, Kathryn Woods-Townsend explains how her team collaborated with, employed and learned from the teenagers who are their lived-experience expertsKathryn Woods-TownsendUniversity of Southampton
Help students make the most of studying overseas at branch campuses and beyondChris Pirie offers advice on how to run a smooth international student exchange programmeChris PirieHeriot-Watt University
A reflexive writing workshop to enhance engagement with learningReflexive writing workshops can help boost students’ interest and motivation in relation to their studies. Aspasia Eleni Paltoglou explains how these can workAspasia Eleni Paltoglou Manchester Metropolitan University
How to make your university more neurodiverse friendlyWith one in seven people in the UK being neurodiverse, a group of lecturers and students from Arden University lists ways in which universities can better cater to neurodiverse studentsFinola Farrant, Emma OwenArden University
Universities, AI and the common good Higher education must find paths for meaningful engagement with artificial intelligence, to leverage its potential, explain the problems and mitigate the hazards, writes Rajani Naidoo Rajani NaidooUniversity of Bath
Tips for applying universal design for learning in healthcare practice placementsAilish Malone and Fiona Daly offer tips on implementing UDL in the busy and variable environment of students’ practical placements Ailish Malone, Fiona DalyRCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
How can universities disrupt the gender investment gap?Engaging with stakeholders beyond higher education and debunking myths around women and innovation can open spin-out opportunities to more women, writes Simonetta ManfrediSimonetta Manfredi Oxford Brookes University
Inclusivity versus devotion to the cult of STEM Is an underlying global STEM culture of devotion getting in the way of a more inclusive academy, asks Andrew PyeAndrew PyeThe University of Exeter
The benefits of having a web presence as an early career researcherIf you can be easily found online, you’re more likely to raise your research profile, receive media requests, get involved in peer review – or even just get nice emails from the public, writes Ashleigh JohnstoneAshleigh JohnstoneArden University
Bring your learners to life through personasUnderstanding your learners and their needs enables you to develop more engaging courses, and personas are a great tool to help you achieve this, as Andrés Ordorica explainsAndrés Ordorica The University of Edinburgh
Life after publication: promote your work for maximum impactSeeing your work in print is by no means the end of the story. Chris Tancock offers advice on how you can make your published work stand out and benefit from the broadest visibilityChristopher Tancock Elsevier
Circular impact: a call to action for research on grand societal challengesHow to enact a ‘circular’ approach to research and impact so outcomes feed back into the work to inform ongoing planning and improvementRyan Nolan The University of Exeter, Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN)
Pathways to prosperity in casual academiaThe journey from adjunct to permanent requires adaptability, foresight and self-awareness. Here, Andrew Stapleton offers tips – such as diversifying skills, strategic branding and mobility – to enhance an academic career Andrew StapletonIndependent academic
How can generative AI intersect with Bloom’s taxonomy? Like in a video game, AI allows us to jump multiple levels, but that doesn’t mean the much-used framework becomes obsolete – we might just need a new approachChristine Rivers, Anna HollandUniversity of Surrey
Free your content! A guide to creating sustainable open licensed mediaA guide to creating teaching and learning materials as open educational resources that can be shared and reused by allLorna CampbellThe University of Edinburgh
Perfect doesn’t exist and other lessons from developing a whole-university well-being strategyChallenges to staff and student well-being are part of university life, regardless of how much support is in place. But iterative strategies can improve the entire community’s experience, write Ben Goose and Cassie WilsonBen Goose, Cassie WilsonUniversity of Bath
How to support more international student applications UK universities can increase their appeal for international students with better transparency and support through the application and enrolment process, Christina Matthews explainsChristina Matthews Aston University
Using film to prompt discussion in legal studiesMovies and television programmes can challenge students’ perceptions and enrich their understanding of the law. But designing an effective module requires more than a must-watch list, writes Michael RandallMichael Randall University of Strathclyde
A look back over 10 years of MoocsLessons learned over a decade of developing and delivering massive open online courses (Moocs)Melissa HightonThe University of Edinburgh
Universities need to show – not just tell – students what they stand forModern institutions must adjust their recruitment approaches from data-driven to values-driven and realise the importance of putting people, not spreadsheets, first, says Dan BarcroftDan BarcroftUniversity of Sheffield
A guide to evaluating and managing climate risks to universitiesIn the third part of their series, Rob Wilby and Shona Smith explain how universities can determine their climate risk exposure, then identify actions to reduce associated threats to people, property and operationsRobert Wilby, Shona SmithLoughborough University, University of Leeds
Supported social groups and student belonging: how do I get started?Connecting students who share a lived experience such as bereavement, family estrangement or loneliness can help to foster a sense of community and belonging at university, explains Hannah MooreHannah MooreUniversity of Bath
How to promote primary interest in basic medical education at the undergraduate levelA major challenge for educators is to present the theoretical beauty of medicine to students who have a broad spectrum of prior experience, ability and motivation – whether their interest is clinical or theoreticalAttila MócsaiSemmelweis University
A practical approach to tackling eco-anxietyWe induce eco-anxiety by teaching students about climate change, so training them in practical and achievable solutions to it are needed, too, write Helen Hicks and Dawn Lees Helen Hicks, Dawn LeesThe University of Exeter
Tips and tricks for impactful reverse mentoringHow to structure and manage effective reverse mentoring programmes which can bring benefits for participants and the wider sectorRachael O’ConnorUniversity of Leeds
Teamwork, support and structure: the core principles of rewarding student internships Student internships are an effective way to facilitate student-staff collaboration but, to work well, they require teamwork, the right support and structure, and a focus on tangible outputsCraig McEwanThe University of Exeter
Using VR to change medical students’ attitudes towards older patients A five-minute virtual reality exercise has the power to dramatically shift students’ understanding of and empathy for dementia patients’ experienceJános KollárSemmelweis University
With the right support, students with ADHD can thrive in digital learning environmentsDon’t generalise about digital learning being problematic for students with ADHD. Rather, find the digital tools that develop their unique talents, argues Dustin Hosseini Dustin HosseiniUniversity of Glasgow
Universities and academics need to make space for ‘useless’ research The academic race for short-term results and practical applications must be balanced with research that can, in due time, become incredibly useful, writes James DerounianJames DerounianDe Montfort University
The case for reverse mentoring in higher educationReverse mentoring can drive progress on many challenges faced in higher education today, if planned with care, as Rachael O’Connor explainsRachael O’ConnorUniversity of Leeds
Illuminating the shadowy path to success in academiaPostdocs and early career researchers, do not believe the myths about the route to a stellar academic career, says Andrew Stapleton. Here are better directions to get you and your work noticed Andrew StapletonIndependent academic
The power of precaution: navigating content warnings in academiaBasic principles to guide the use of content warnings in higher education, based on a student-led day-long workshop which invited input from university staff and studentsAndrea Namirembe , Ella TavinerThe University of Exeter
Navigating crisis communications in HE: strategies for an effective responseTiffany Beck provides a play-by-play guide to planning a comprehensive communications strategy for when crisis situations strikeTiffany Beck PLMR
Shifting landscapes of social media data for researchWhat can researchers do in light of changes to social media platforms’ APIs that reduce and monetise access to data? In this uncharted territory, aspects to watch include new access routes and user protectionsBrittany I. Davidson, Joanne Hinds, Daniel RacekUniversity of Bath, LMU Munich