How universities can move from DEI backlash to breakthroughIdentity threat – when individuals or groups feel devalued – can undermine equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. But if universities reframe this conflict, it can result in growth and new perspectives, write Camellia Bryan and Brent Lyons Camellia Bryan, Brent LyonsUniversity of British Columbia, York University
Campus talks: are we facing a crisis in critical thinking in higher education?Two academic experts in strategic decision-making and education discuss critical thinking, why it is under threat and what role it plays in preparing students for their digitally curated futures Olivier Sibony, Tony WagnerHEC Paris, Learning Policy Institute
It starts with connection: rethinking the enrolment journey The old enrolment model no longer fits today’s diverse student population. To truly support modern learners, universities must prioritise flexibility, empathy and trust over scripts and yield targets, writes Agnam Memeti Agnam Memeti DeVry University
Doing DEI when you can’t use the ‘D’, the ‘E’ or the ‘I’ word‘DEI is dead, long live DEI!’ How to resist attacks on DEI, develop deep resilience and reimagine and reform your practice with kindnessEamon Costello , Wajeehah Aayeshah Dublin City University, University of Melbourne
Equipping university graduates to think beyond the classroomToo many students – and some educators – misunderstand what critical thinking entails. Here, Marie Paretti explains why engineering students in particular struggle with open-ended problems, and how educators can design experiences that help them learn to think in contextMarie ParettiVirginia Tech
How to create snackable social media contentWhat makes an engaging post that delivers your key message? Here’s what university social media creators should do and what they should avoid when creating short-form contentEvan AtkinsonGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Should university admissions decisions rely on academic performance?If higher education wants to evolve its role beyond gatekeepers of knowledge to true engines of development, institutions need to rethink student readiness and recruitment processesRahim SomaniUniversity of Northern British Columbia
‘There is no workaround to this moment – we are all targets’The attacks on DEI and academic freedom show higher education needs to come together, build collaborations and stand firm. Here’s how Mike GavinDelta College
Teaching critical thinking is not enough – we must design for and assess it, tooStudents are often told to think critically, but they need to be shown how – and evaluated on it. To truly embed critical thinking in higher education, educators must align teaching, assessment and expectations from the ground upNicole PittersonVirginia Tech
Why universities in developing countries should prioritise data to maximise AI opportunities By focusing on data quality, stewardship and governance, universities in low- and middle-income countries can harness AI’s potential to drive institutional growth, improve educational outcomes and foster equity in higher educationCameron MirzaInternational Research and Exchanges Board
Partnerships to make higher education work for the workforceFostering long-term industry partners can enhance student outcomes and prepare them for the workplace of the future. Here’s how to get the best out of themBrooke WilsonColorado State University Global
When AI asks: ‘Why?’ and facilitates critical thinkingChatbots can be used at scale to mimic the Socratic method in university assessment and guide students to reflect on their thinking and reasoning process Meryem Yilmaz SoyluGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Campus talks: using social media not as a tool but as a teacher in higher educationWhat can university educators learn about teaching and audience engagement from social media? Two experts – a psychologist and a professor of public relations – share strategies for connecting with students, finding wider audiences for niche research, and fighting misinformation Peter Lovatt, Cayce MyersDoctor Dance, Virginia Tech
Redesigning the university library for creating and collaboratingUniversity libraries are no longer just places of study, they are places of discovery, innovation and community. Patrick Tomlin discusses redesigning academic libraries to meet the ways that students and faculty learn and researchPatrick TomlinVirginia Tech
How to create a win-win university-industry partnershipTo reap the benefits of industry-academia collaborations, researchers and higher education institutions need to be clear about goals from the outset, understand each party’s differences and communicateDarren FastUniversity of Alberta
What social media can teach lecturers about student engagementApply insights from how social media captures attention to help students stay focused in class and motivated to learnNatalie K. D. Seedan The University of the West Indies
Fighting falsehoods at the speed of the scrollWith students subjected to a steady stream of memes and manipulated narratives, teaching media literacy isn’t something university educators should do; it’s something they must. Cayce Myers offers advice for a misinformation ageCayce MyersVirginia Tech
How to figure out your bookWant to use summer’s student-free time to work on that academic manuscript? Dive into these tips and exercises to craft a more engaging next draftK. Anne Amienne, Daniela BleiScholars & Writers
Campus talks: university libraries – and librarians – that are leading the changeLearn about the efforts of US librarians to protect valuable public data from sudden erasure by the Trump administration and a pioneering project which saw a UK university partner with a local council to create a joint library that is open to anyoneDavid Green, Lynda KellamUniversity of Worcester, University of Pennsylvania
To combat ‘zombie scrolling’, integrate social media into your teachingTransform Gen Z students from mindless scrollers to mindful scholars with this guide to maximising the features of each social media platform in university teaching and learningDaniella SieukaranDalhousie University
Glad you asked: how feedback turns a library into a community of scholarship Through active and passive efforts to obtain and respond to feedback, academic library professionals can optimise their services while maintaining a lean teamLeslie Sharp, Jason WrightGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
The scroll, the soundbite and the seminar: where media habits meet teachingStudents are raised in a world of algorithms, scrolls and screens. This means educators have to meet them on their terms: visually, aurally and interactively. Cayce Myers explainsCayce MyersVirginia Tech
Collaboration is a quiet evolution for bold impactHow can universities drive global progress through creative collaboration with private sector partners? Brandy Salmon shares lessons for university leadersBrandy SalmonVirginia Tech
Bring your institutional goals to life with project-based planningProject-based strategic planning transforms the traditional approach by focusing on iterative, measurable actions tied to specific projects, all aligned with broader institutional objectivesCatherine WehlburgAthens State University
The alchemy of promoting partnerships between higher education and industryWith the promise of technological innovation and demand for talent, universities and industry have much to gain by working together. Brandy Salmon shares advice for developing sustainable, impactful industry collaborationBrandy SalmonVirginia Tech
AI skills for tomorrow’s university librariansUniversity librarians need to understand how to guide students and faculty in using AI tools ethically and effectively. In the future, they will be not only information experts but also AI facilitators. Yinlin Chen offers advice on laying the groundworkYinlin ChenVirginia Tech
A practical guide to creating a linguistically inclusive classroomHere’s how to embrace the cultural and linguistic perspectives of your students and prepare them to thrive in an interconnected worldEilidh Singh, Amanda WallaceSimon Fraser University
Key terms you should know to advance net zero goals across the university Achieving net zero on college campuses is an ambitious target, but with targeted strategies, universities can help their community integrate sustainability practices into campus language and experiencesJennifer ChiricoGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Flip-Zoom-open: how Covid and AI transformed my classroomMaybe the uncertainty of the pandemic resulted in a few positives to university teaching? Here, Perry Binder reflects on lockdown’s seismic shifts Perry BinderGeorgia State University
The economics of belonging: a new way of thinking about student successRising costs of living and tuition mean that US university students may prioritise career and economic factors rather than self-actualisation as a reason to remain at a universityRichard TomczakStony Brook University
University libraries’ modern role in supporting faculty and graduate researchWhen research is increasingly computational, interdisciplinary and comprised of multi-institutional teams who frequently collaborate virtually, university libraries must keep pace to support faculty and graduate students, as Tyler Walters explainsTyler WaltersVirginia Tech
Teaching your first course? Follow these stepsJust landed your first adjunct teaching role and don’t know where to start? Here’s how to make the most of your strengths, design a clear syllabus and deliver engaging, manageable sessionsDaniel Martínez, Robert SanfordIndependent academic
Are we overlooking the power of autonomy when it comes to motivating students?Educators fear giving students too much choice in their learning will see them making the wrong decisions. But structuring choice without dictating the answers could be the way forwardDanny Oppenheimer Carnegie Mellon University
How can higher education better support international students with disabilities?Institutions need to work harder to understand international students with disabilities’ needs and challenges, and put in place more obvious and intentional communication with themCarol Evans, Maurie van den Heever, Ralph E. McKinneyUniversity of Salford, GoodX Software, Marshall University
How to put joy at the centre of the university library The role of the university library is poised for re-evaluation – not just as an academic hub but as a space where connection, belonging and access can come alive in everyday ways. Pro tip: cake and dogs help. Kayla McNabb explainsKayla McNabbVirginia Tech
Campus talks: the secrets of effective policy engagement – from two academics who have worked in governmentTwo academics who are steeped in policy expertise, having worked in government in the UK and US, share practical insights on what works when trying to get research before the eyes of decision-makersDavid R. Garcia, Michael SandersArizona State University, King’s College London
What I needed as a Black woman in STEMFactors that influence the success of Black women in STEM, including community building, EDI responsibilities and invisible labour – and how to provide support Carlotta A. BerryRose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Extracurricular activities are powerful tools for building belongingEncourage students to get involved in societies, participate in sports and engage in formal extracurricular programmes to foster a sense of belonging within the student communityNatalie K. D. Seedan The University of the West Indies
‘Many academic librarians are now effectively digital curators’Through the advent of the internet, digitisation and artificial intelligence, libraries’ purpose in supporting their users’ success remains unchanged. So, how can academic libraries transform their services to meet evolving needs? Tyler WaltersVirginia Tech
A survival guide for academic department leadersAdministrators walk a line between support for faculty and accountability for performance, writes Saleem H. Ali. Here, he offers six tips for building good governance and legacySaleem H. AliUniversity of Delaware
Faculty must stand together to confront the American illiberal perilWhat happens now that university presidents are willing to stand up individually and collectively in the face of governmental hostility? Chris Dietrich examines the historical context leading up to it and suggests some ways to resistChris DietrichFordham University
Protecting your work – and your values – in US higher educationWith US higher education under attack from the federal government, what can scholars do to ensure their research is preserved and to stand up for academic freedom? Lisa Schiff, a co-author of the Declaration to Defend Research Against US Government Censorship, explainsLisa SchiffIndependent academic
A step-by-step guide to developing a high-impact online courseWant to design an online course that your students engage with, that supports diverse learning styles and is seamless to navigate for both educator and student? Here’s how to structure the processMichael Okrent , Susan WeeseColorado State University Global
Using small-scale ChatGPT integration to introduce online students to GenAIIntegration of ChatGPT into online learning does not have to be a huge project. A small-scale, flexible writing task can address your students’ needs. But if they are working professionals, you should know their capacity for using technologyJonathan ZaccariniColumbia University
Guard rails to mitigate ethical concerns for AI useArtificial intelligence can vastly improve productivity and advance innovation, but integrating AI into academia brings significant ethical implications. These policies and procedures could help mitigate these concernsQin ZhuVirginia Tech
Only a human will do: when to eschew AI in teaching and researchArtificial intelligence tools have streamlined processes and accelerated innovations – efficiencies not lost on higher education. But at times, we need to prioritise human judgement and involvement, as Qin Zhu explainsQin ZhuVirginia Tech
Teaching students how to spot scientific misinformationEducators play a vital role in equipping students with the tools to critically evaluate headlines, interpret data responsibly and assess research methodologies. Learn strategies to help students develop these skillsBradford VivianPenn State College of the Liberal Arts
Connect and catalyse: international collaborations in the semiconductor fieldSemiconductors are essential for modern electronic devices, AI hardware and economic efficiency and growth. How can we drive continued progress and innovation in this field? International collaborations are key, as Cindy Yi explainsYang “Cindy” YiVirginia Tech
The power of a 30-minute meetingOne-to-one coaching sessions with students are an ideal forum to share individualised feedback, advice for academic and professional growth, and ways to build learner self-efficacy and confidence. Here’s how they support student success in a global classroomR. Katherine Samford, Kendall NelsonGeorgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities
Campus talks: how to achieve research excellence – and protect itLearn what contributes to quality research across an institution and how that work should be kept secureMarcus Munafò, Jacqueline LittlewoodThe University of Bristol, University of Alberta