Science isn’t a solo sport – let’s write accordinglyGenerosity in authorship, sharing imperfect drafts and writing daily are academic habits that make research clearer, fairer and more impactfulAudrey RupleVirginia Tech
Colleges, not the College Board, determine university-level writingEducators who teach first-year writing courses need to use their leverage to ensure students arrive on campus with skills that match expectations, writes Daniel M. GrossDaniel M. GrossUniversity of California, Irvine
Make inclusion work in practice in your global classroomEmbed inclusivity into your course to harness the diversity of international cohorts. Here’s howLuana CarcanoSimon Fraser University
How sustained mentoring can drive international students’ successTrue integration for international students doesn’t happen during orientation week. It takes place over months and years, through ongoing mentorship, cultural events and year-round academic-career scaffolding Jennifer ClevengerVirginia Tech
Using technology to support international students From scalable email systems to database management, universities can leverage specialised technology to support the academic success and career readiness of their international studentsKate KirkGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Let professors play: the case for sandbox classes in HESome of the most powerful innovations in teaching don’t come from policy mandates – they come from freedom to play, writes Danny OppenheimerDanny Oppenheimer Carnegie Mellon University
Use early engagement to build belonging for international students Connecting with international students well before they arrive on campus – and maintaining contact across joint and transnational programmes – helps universities to transform anxious newcomers into confident global citizensJennifer ClevengerVirginia Tech
How to turn your most aggravating student emails into a chance to spread joyFaced with a flurry of grade complaints at the end of each semester, Danny Oppenheimer found a way to respond that generated positivity for students and himself. Read on to find out what he didDanny Oppenheimer Carnegie Mellon University
Ethical AI: safeguards for the research revolutionArtificial intelligence can accelerate discovery in ways humans alone cannot. For Hongliang Xin, the key is pairing AI’s power with ethical safeguards, institutional governance and responsible oversightHongliang XinVirginia Tech
Connected classrooms: building belonging, trust and well-beingLearning communities that are grounded in trust, psychological safety and holistic support give students space to explore and share their talentsChristie StewartGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Guide students through four stages of cognitive developmentCritical thinking does not develop automatically. Using William Perry’s model of cognitive development, Adeola A. Matthew shows how lecturers can help students progress from simplistic, dualistic thinking to more reflective and reasoned judgementAdeola A. Matthew The University of the West Indies
Harnessing AI to expand scientific discoveryFrom drug design to climate modelling, artificial intelligence can process data at scales far beyond human capacity. Hongliang Xin argues that the future of research lies in harnessing agentic AI through human-guided discoveryHongliang XinVirginia Tech
From model collapse to citation collapse: risks of over-reliance on AI in the academyThe way GenAI surfaces sources for literature reviews risks exacerbating the citation Matthew effect, writes David Joyner. Here, he offers ways to prevent AI-driven search from blunting the impact of new researchDavid JoynerGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Five steps to successful company-led projects in higher educationCompany-led projects can boost graduate earnings and strengthen institutional partnerships. Here’s how to get them off the groundWahiba ChairUniversity Canada West
Beyond search: how AI agents are redefining researchAI-augmented research can speed up processes such as literature review and data synthesis. Here, Ali Shiri looks at functionality of three AI agentsAli ShiriUniversity of Alberta
What is developmental editing, and why does your scholarly manuscript need it?Academics might find it hard to see the flaws in their work, but to be a writer is to be edited – embrace it. Laura Portwood-Stacer outlines the importance of developmental editingLaura Portwood-StacerPrinceton University
A guide to arts-based methods in medical researchAchieve a deeper understanding of human experiences by deploying the creative practices in research. Here’s howHeather SpoonerUniversity of Florida
Effective support means meeting university students where they areMeaningful student support starts in the classroom, the lab and the everyday relationships that faculty build with learners. Carrie Fearer shares practical strategies – from accessibility to co-creationCarrie FearerVirginia Tech
Storytelling in STEM: connecting concepts, confidence and identityDesigning STEM classrooms that encourage students to reflect on their progress and share their stories takes intention, but the pay-off is enormous: more engaged, capable and confident learnersKaren Ho, Douglas B. ClarkMount Royal University, University of Calgary
How universities can cultivate arts and humanities in practical, affordable waysAre the arts and humanities still needed as universities retrench staff and cut costs? Patty Raun explains why curtailing or eliminating these disciplines is an egregious mistakePatricia RaunVirginia Tech
Accompaniment: the key to engaging campus communities in changeTo respond to change, leaders must create solutions with their employees and members of the community, rather than instituting a top-down approach. A Latin American leadership practice could be the answerAnnmarie CañoGonzaga University
Co-creation as an alternative for engaging studentsCo-creation through experiential learning outside the classroom space – working abroad, in the field, in a lab – is fantastic but not always feasible. Can’t leave the classroom? Ed Berger explains how educators can still spark engagementEd BergerVirginia Tech
How to model good academic practice By modelling good practice in your own teaching, you can help students build confidence, work more effectively and set habits that support both academic and personal success. Here’s howNatalie K. D. Seedan The University of the West Indies
Putting arts and humanities at the heart of researchDisciplines too often are siloed, but today’s most pressing challenges rarely fit neatly into a single field. How do we encourage science and technology fields to work with arts and humanities?Lisa McNair, Thomas L. MartinVirginia Tech
‘Universities need to be better prepared to handle anti-religious hate’How can institutions navigate a landscape where some religious communities see equity, diversity and inclusion efforts as an essential safeguard, while others view these initiatives as an overreach?Matthew J. Mayhew, Benjamin S. Selznick, Musbah ShaheenThe Ohio State University, James Madison University, University of Massachusetts Amherst
A warm welcome is a strategic imperative for higher educationIf we want incoming students to flourish, we must stop treating belonging as a bonus and start seeing it as an essential condition for learning. Scott Dunning offers strategies on welcoming students to succeedScott DunningVirginia Tech
Team teaching 101When faculty collaborate in the classroom, students gain multiple perspectives on complex material while new academics learn the craft of teaching from more experienced colleaguesKatherine Van HeuvelenHarvey Mudd College
Motivating students isn’t magic – it’s musicWhen students see purpose, believe they can succeed and know educators care, you won’t have to pull them through the course. They’ll walk, maybe even run, on their own. Brett Jones explains how to change their tuneBrett D. JonesVirginia Tech
Reimagining the student experience using tips from start-up cultureStart-up principles such as rapid iteration, co-creation and agile teamwork can be used to transform the student experience, enabling faster, more effective responses to evolving student needsMelissa Padfield, Sarah WolgemuthUniversity of Alberta
Embracing co-creation through experiential learning Co-creation cultivates skills and mindsets that traditional classrooms may not be able to provide. For instructors, sharing control with students can result in a richer, more dynamic educational experience for all, writes Ed BergerEd BergerVirginia Tech
The case for degrees that teach us how to thinkAs debate about the cost and purpose of higher education intensifies, the humanities are often the first target. Yet evidence shows that far from being outdated or indulgent, humanities degrees cultivate critical skills, resilience and, yes, viable career pathsMichelle Moseley-ChristianVirginia Tech
‘The arts and humanities celebrate what makes us human’As deepfakes blur truth and political divides widen, the arts and humanities offer essential skills such as reflection and resilience. And, of course, they provide respite and balance. Patty Raun explainsPatricia RaunVirginia Tech
Co-creation that treats students as collaborators, not consultantsWhen students believe their opinions matter, their creativity, confidence and sense of belonging grow – and so does the impact of your work. Here are five practical ways to bring students ‘behind the camera’ in co-curricular programme designMelissa Gerrior, Jennifer GrahamGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities, Georgia College and State University
Give students autonomy over their learningHere are simple ways to nurture self-direction in students – from consulting them on assessments to offering choice on learning objectives – shared by Natalie K SeedanNatalie K. D. Seedan The University of the West Indies
What universities gain from involving displaced students in civic engagementCivic action not only gives displaced students and refugees a sense of belonging and agency, it brings academic communities benefits such as cultural insight and leadership skillsJonathan Becker, Zarlasht SarmastBard College
Teaching responsible use of GenAI in graduate studies When graduate students learn to use AI transparently, to seek approvals, respect Indigenous consent and critically assess outputs, they develop skills essential for both academic success and professional practiceKaterina StandishUniversity of Northern British Columbia
‘GenAI and critical thinking can – and should – work together’ Find out how to encourage critical thinking in the university classroom by working with GenAI tools, rather than against them Joel Davis, Jane Southworth, Kati MigliaccioUniversity of Florida
Higher education needs to hold students' hearts, not handsDuring times of financial constraint, don’t rush to define kindness to students as an unaffordable luxury. Instead, let’s change the way we thinkRachelle McKayDalhousie University
Stop asking students to be the lesson and focus on choice and consentWhen students are asked to share personal stories to illustrate lessons, the emotional cost can outweigh the educational gain. Aasiya Satia explores how consent-based pedagogy can create safer, more equitable classrooms for all studentsAasiya Satia McMaster University
Campus talks: the role of universities as bastions of free speech and open debate in polarised timesAn expert in constructive dialogue and a free speech campaigner explain how universities can nurture productive disagreement and uphold the principles of free speech and academic freedom in the face of growing polarisationCaroline Mehl, Abhishek Saha Constructive Dialogue Institute, Queen Mary University of London
The anxieties of non-research faculty at a research universityThe worth of know-how – as opposed to know-that – is enhanced when instructors are full-time, eligible for tenure and materially supported in their collective endeavour. Here, Daniel M. Gross makes the case for valuing teachers’ collective wisdomDaniel M. GrossUniversity of California, Irvine
From grading grind to peace of mind: preventing midterm marking meltdownWith clear communication, focused feedback, time management strategies and smart use of technology, educators can make their marking more efficient, sustainable and impactful for studentsDaniella SieukaranDalhousie University
Compassion cuts through polarisationCompassion, not empathy, is the emotion that will cut through group polarisation and motivate constructive intergroup dialogue in higher education. Training in mindfulness-based compassion meditation can be scaled at a relatively low barrier to entry Rayne BozemanGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Finding the funding: how to support research projects of any sizeHow do central research offices operate, and why are they often key to securing research funding? Eleanor Nelsen explains what help is available for researchers, including training and on-demand resourcesEleanor NelsenVirginia Tech
Who cares about this problem as much as you do?Securing funding requires researchers to think like strategists, storytellers and coalition-builders. Nicole Akers offers advice for navigating the demanding process to win grants and turn ideas into impactNicole AkersVirginia Tech
Campus talks: how to unlock motivation and beat procrastination in your students and yourselfTwo academic researchers and lecturers discuss the many factors that boost short- and long-term motivation and how to get yourself started when procrastination threatensIan Taylor, Helena SeliLoughborough University, University of Southern California
Global learning: an emerging transferable skill for studentsTeamwork, effective communication – these are what we think of as soft skills. But what about global learning and collaboration? Tiffany Shoop argues that global collaboration is a foundational skill for the modern worldTiffany ShoopVirginia Tech
Five tips to help you find non-federal research fundingNon-profit groups and industry partners can be great sources for funding opportunities. Here’s how to find the right ones and build a relationship with them Kalene JohnsonUniversity of Florida
From ‘sage on the stage’ to ‘guide on the side’With GenAI, changing job markets and overprotective parenting shaping today’s learners, higher education must balance knowledge with fostering autonomy – without letting independence go too far, says Daniella SieukaranDaniella SieukaranDalhousie University
Campus talks: why ‘grit’ and knowing when to say ‘no’ are vital skills in academia todayIn this week’s podcast, two professors discuss the skills and characteristics needed to achieve long-term academic career success and fulfilment Jeffrey McDonnell, Sarah RobinsonUniversity of Saskatchewan, IÉSEG School of Management
