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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Offer students a personal touch through peer supportAs universities expand, they will need to take more of a personal approach to higher education – despite the huge cohorts – but how? Emma Norman suggests looking to the students themselvesEmma NormanThe University of Exeter
Training students for jobs that do not exist yetThe rethinking of course materials and programmes to incorporate future trends is a key requirement for all forward-thinking providers, write Aaron Taylor and Victoria RaffertyAaron Taylor, Victoria RaffertyArden University
Making the dream work: the ingredients of successful partnershipsJohn Miles gives advice on helping new partnerships succeed and managing issues when they ariseJohn MilesInkpath
Is open access tarnished?As open access terms have split into colour-coded brands, not all allow totally unrestricted access and reuse. Among these, “bronze OA” stands out as a potentially damaging misnomer, writes Steven VidovicSteven U. Vidovic University of Southampton
Break the ice early to build student belonging Ice-breaking activities borrowed from the performing arts that can help students form bonds and build belonging from the start of a course Kelly Edmunds , Leanne FriddThe University of East Anglia
What can we do about the diversity problem in economics?A group of economists offer five ideas on how to allow and encourage wider access to economics degrees – which is crucial to making the discipline more effectiveAmrit Amirapu, Amanda Gosling, Emma GormanUniversity of Kent, University of Westminster
Unlocking knowledge within local communities as part of ‘levelling up’With ‘levelling up‘ and regional prosperity now central to the UK government’s thinking, universities need to transform the way they conduct research to respond to emerging needs and provide solutions to today’s social, economic and environmental issuesHenrietta L. Moore UCL
Digital accessibility is real and tangibleA workshop using real-life examples and first-hand experience of how assistive technology works can result in a deeper understanding of accessibility needsTharindu Liyanagunawardena University of Reading
Accounting for sustainability: we need to change how we teachAccountants of the future will need to respond to as yet unknown sustainability reporting standards. Freirean dialogic teaching where lecturers learn alongside students through discussion helps build the skills to respond to such changeJennifer RoseThe University of Manchester
What is an authentic teacher and how can you become one?Three tips identified by students that will help you develop an honest, strong relationship with students and become a more authentic teacherSetenay Dilek Fidler, Gustavo Espinoza Ramos University of Westminster
Five steps to support autistic students on their higher education journeyAs we strive to create inclusive environments, it’s essential to implement strategies that assist and cater to the unique challenges faced by autistic students, says Jane DashwoodJane DashwoodThe University of Warwick
Build students’ sense of belonging to build graduate skillsWhy a sense of belonging is crucial to learning and how we can rebuild it within universities, following the disruption of the pandemic, in ways that also boost graduate skillsHilda MulrooneyKingston University
Sensitive marking and the end of the line for the academic essayRather than flagging essays by students with specific learning difficulties for “sensitive” marking, why are universities not rethinking the way they assess to make it more equitable for all students?Andrew Read, Donna HurfordUniversity of Southern Denmark, Independent consultant
Are ‘quick wins’ possible in assessment and feedback? Yes, and here’s how It takes coordination, communication and credibility to implement quick improvements in assessment and feedback, as a team from the University of Exeter explainsBeverley Hawkins, Eleanor Hodgson , Oli YoungThe University of Exeter
Medical teaching resources need to represent all skin colours to enable doctors to serve a diverse populationMedical education must diversify its learning resources away from a focus solely on white patients to prepare students to diagnose and treat patients of all ethnicities, write Musarrat Maisha Reza and Naabil KhanMusarrat Maisha Reza, Naabil Khan The University of Exeter