Five tips for using design thinking to transform your academic practiceJenny Moffett explains how embracing design thinking may offer ways to combat academic perfectionism and develop vital skills for navigating uncertain pathsJenny MoffettRCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Start with why, part two: building a clear learning journey In the second part of his guide to curriculum development, Graeme Knowles explains how learning outcomes can be developed and then used to map the overall learning journeyGraeme KnowlesThe University of Warwick
The metaverse will change everything – including academic researchWe must push XR research boundaries if we’re to understand and shape our future reality – here’s how, says Neil McDonnellNeil McDonnell University of Glasgow
Bringing learning to life: nine tips for teaching in outdoor places and spacesDavid A. G. Clarke reflects on his experience of teaching in outdoor spaces and provides valuable tips on how to take higher education outside the classroomDavid A. G. ClarkeThe University of Edinburgh
Managing individual research productivity in academic organisations: seven key insights Advice on steps institutions can take to boost the productivity and impact of researchers, based on a study by Olga Ryazanova and Jolanta JaskieneOlga Ryazanova , Jolanta JaskieneMaynooth University , ISM University of Management and Economics
Core data science skills: filling the gaps with community developed workshopsThe scientific research apprenticeship model lacks training in core data science skills. Community-developed workshops delivered by academic peers can help to fill this gap, Alison Meynert and Edward Wallace explainAlison Meynert , Edward WallaceThe University of Edinburgh
Unmasking the scientist: breaking down anonymity to build relationships when teaching onlineSimple solutions to link students’ names to faces and build a rapport with individuals in your class when teaching online, by Kelly Edmunds and Bethan Gulliver Kelly Edmunds , Bethan GulliverThe University of East Anglia
New rules on lecture transcripts give academics an impossible choiceHigher education leaders must engage on new transcription requirements post-pandemic to ensure academics don’t have to choose between inclusion or increased workloadEmily Nordmann, Wilhelmiina Toivo , Rachel O’Neill University of Glasgow, The University of Edinburgh
Adult ADHD and higher education: improving the student experienceAlex Conner and James Brown explain why adult ADHD is linked to underachievement in higher education and what institutions can do to support better outcomes for those with the conditionAlex Conner, James BrownUniversity of Birmingham, Aston University
I ran the BBC World Service – it showed me how universities can be truly globalForget our universities’ Brit-centric approach – developing an authentically global experience needs to be at the core of higher education’s digital futurePeter HorrocksLearna
Online exams are growing in popularity: how can they be fair and robust?Nicholas Harmer and Alison Hill share advice on using unique datasets to deter student collusion in online examsNicholas Harmer, Alison HillThe University of Exeter
External engagement in academia: lessons from the business worldMany academics see external engagement as a chore. Others are just unable to appreciate industry perspectives. Both are stifling the contribution of universitiesKumud Wijayaratna , Ed CottamNorthumbria University
How to lay the groundwork for interdisciplinarity in studentsRecent events have shown the necessity of working together, and it’s never too early for universities, faculty and students to begin thinking about this, says Georgina HarrisGeorgina HarrisArden University
Match sustainability learning outcomes to specific curricula to achieve SDG 4.7Ron Johnston provides a guide to embedding education for sustainable development into university courses by linking it with the learning outcomes of the core subject being taughtRon JohnstonUNESCO
THE podcast: what does it mean to decolonise a library? Find out what is involved in decolonising a library from the editors of a book drawing together global perspectives on the subjectJess Crilly, Regina EverittUniversity of East London
We must rethink PhDs to smash barriers and ensure bioscience successRedesigning PhD training will help develop commercially savvy researchers, address skills gaps in UK bioscience and bolster innovation, say Simon Cook and Derek JonesSimon Cook, Derek JonesBabraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus
New norms in higher education that can help disabled students long-termCertain changes sparked by the reorganisation of higher education during the pandemic have benefitted disabled students and should be kept and developed in the long term. Sean Cullen outlines four key areas of positive changeSean CullenBrunel University London
Landing your first lectureship: top five academic career planning tipsUtsa Mukherjee shares five tips to help early career researchers build their professional experience and CV in order to secure their first permanent academic postUtsa MukherjeeBrunel University London
Academic snobs can’t afford to ignore LinkedIn any longerConsidering a career move? When asking for a favour, such as info or an introduction, it helps to build a chain of trust. Which is where LinkedIn comes in, says Emma WilliamsEmma WilliamsEJW Solutions
Start with why, part one: taking a new approach to curriculum developmentGraeme Knowles explains how his team have overturned the long-accepted curriculum development process to make the purpose of the programme and its learning outcomes the starting point rather than the end resultGraeme KnowlesThe University of Warwick
I took an alternative route to academic success – and I’m happier than everI ignored senior management and marketing departments and experimented with making my work more accessible and interesting – it paid off, says Jonathan WilsonJonathan WilsonRegent's University London
Co-creating an interdisciplinary well-being module for all studentsElena Riva and Wiki Jeglinska explain how academics can work with students to co-create well-being modules that span multiple disciplines and support students’ self-care, drawing on their own experience of collaborating on such a schemeElena Riva, Wiki JeglinskaThe University of Warwick
How to structure a multiple choice question exam Anthony Evans explains how to arrange a multiple choice question exam to provide a fair evaluation of students’ understanding, aid their learning progress and minimise cheatingAnthony J EvansESCP Business School
Let’s harness students’ desire for interaction to define the future of learningWe know that students want to learn together. That information should underpin how we allocate resources to best serve their needs, say Derfel Owen and Ant BagshawDerfel Owen, Ant BagshawUCL, Online Education Services
How to apply virtual reality to enhance learning experiencesIthai Stern outlines how best to shape and deploy virtual reality as a tool to enhance learning experiences, while acknowledging its limitationsIthai SternINSEAD
Study trips and experiential learning: from preparation to post-trip reflectionRebecca Wang outlines the key steps to take before, during and after a successful international field tripRebecca WangThe University of Westminster
How educators can help creatives cope with constructive criticismJohn Hitchings offers advice for giving helpful feedback and supporting students studying in a creative fieldJohn Hitchings Arden University
Complaining that the leadership talent pool is running dry? Here’s how to fill itAbandoning traditional hierarchies and allowing mid- and early-career staff to experience leadership creates a thriving, diverse talent pool, say Jo Cresswell and Peter HoggJo Cresswell, Peter HoggDr Joanne Cresswell Coaching, University of Salford
Students as reflective practitioners: a personal development journeyProfessional development is often taken for granted and seldom well embedded into university curricula. Alexandra Mihai looks at how intentional learning design can help make it an integral part of students’ learning experienceAlexandra MihaiMaastricht University
Research time disappearing before your eyes? Try student collaborationsWorking alongside students can help academics to both protect their research time and boost student employability, say Dean Fido and Louise WallaceDean Fido, Louise WallaceUniversity of Derby
My Christmas wish? Wider recognition that blended is different from onlineFollowing two years of disruption and jumping between modes of delivery, many students and staff seem to be – incorrectly – conflating blended with online, says Harriet Dunbar-MorrisHarriet Dunbar-MorrisThe University of Portsmouth
What is the long-term impact of online learning?Online learning looks set to remain central to the delivery of higher education long after the pandemic. In this webinar Maryanne Dever and Diana Laurillard discuss what the long-term impact of this might be, on teaching, student support, well-being and the sector as a wholeMaryanne Dever, Diana LaurillardAustralian National University, UCL
Creating worthwhile multiple choice questions for higher education assessmentMultiple choice questions are often frowned on as an assessment tool in higher education. But when well constructed, they offer a clear and transparent way of evaluating student progress, as Anthony Evans explainsAnthony J EvansESCP Business School
Foster mentorship skills to create the socially responsible leaders of the futureInstitutions should look to set up mentorship practices that help students develop the skills they will need to create successful and sustainable companies. Laura-Jane Silverman explains howLaura-Jane Silverman The London School of Economics and Political Science
Building student identities as learners, not consumers, for better academic outcomesStudents who think and act like consumers have worse academic outcomes, research shows. Louise Taylor Bunce shares practical steps to help build students’ identities as learners rather than as consumers of educationLouise Taylor BunceOxford Brookes University
Cybersecurity in the HE sector – getting the basics rightManaging security updates, vulnerability reviews, password policies and multi-factor authentication are staple university needs, says Clive MaddersClive MaddersCyber Tec Security
Transitioning to a PhD: common struggles and how to overcome themCamille Bou outlines the key struggles she encountered during the first year of her PhD and shares useful insight on how she overcame themCamille BouThe London School of Economics and Political Science
How to support academic staff starting the journey of decolonising the curriculumHow do you support the endeavours of academic staff and build student voice into an institution-wide effort to decolonise the curriculum? Mhairi Taylor and Nighet Riaz share lessons from the University of Glasgow’s action planMhairi Taylor, Nighet RiazUniversity of Glasgow
Is your curriculum design limiting students’ learning potential?All too often, insufficient emphasis is placed on development of the self-regulatory skill sets that students need most in order to do well, says Carol EvansCarol EvansCardiff University, University of Southampton
If universities push staff towards social media, they must protect them, tooAt the very least, there should be training on managing online discourse, blocking tools and recognising when ‘robust debate’ becomes abuse or libel, says Andy PhippenAndy PhippenBournemouth University
Universal design for learning: an introduction and getting startedUniversal design for learning offers ways to plan teaching and learning to accommodate diverse students and help learners develop the self-efficacy they need to be successful, says Dara CassidyDara CassidyRCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Building an inclusive learning community to deliver a race equality curriculumRicardo Barker and Syra Shakir reflect on how to set up a curriculum that engages everybody in conversations about race equalityRicardo Barker , Syra ShakirLeeds Trinity University
What can universities learn from Amazon?From putting the customer first to the buzzword that is ‘fulfilment’, there’s much to be gleaned from the way Amazon and its ilk embraced digital technology, says Peter VervestPeter VervestErasmus University Rotterdam
Inclusive pedagogy: using multimedia as a tool to enhance and transform assessmentRachel Challen outlines key steps to enhancing the design, direction and delivery of assessment using digital toolsRachel ChallenNottingham Trent University
Say my name: the importance of correct terms, titles and pronunciationJane Bryan shares lessons in handling people’s names with respect and sensitivity, ensuring correct use and pronunciation to boost feelings of belonging within institutionsJane BryanThe University of Warwick
Keeping it real: bringing practical dimensions into online teaching Pamela Henderson sets out how to bring real world training into the online classroom by developing effective simulated case studies, based on her experience teaching lawPamela HendersonNottingham Trent University
How to make sure assessment practices are as authentic as possibleWe all want employers to be confident that students have the skills to do the job. And these skills still require assessment, it’s just done a little differently, says Paula ReillyPaula ReillyArden University
Turn the marking process on its head by using ‘reverse grading’Davita Günbay explains how reversing the narrative between ‘what I got’ and ‘what I was given’ can help learners engage and take responsibility for their learningDavita Günbay Near East University
The government needs to square its rhetoric on creative coursesUndervaluing the creative sector is nothing new, but the government also says it’s part of a ‘rich mix’ needed to deliver its ambitions. So which one is it, asks Paul ThompsonPaul ThompsonRoyal College of Art
What came next: THE Awards winners 2020 podcast specialHear from some of the winners of last year’s THE awards about the projects and initiatives which saw them recognised as the best in UK higher education and how these have developed since 2020Sara CusterTimes Higher Education, The University of Manchester