How to collaborate effectively to support care-experienced students It’s clear there is still work to be done to support young people with care backgrounds coming into higher education. Here are some lessons Louise Harrison, Kate Murray and Alison Shaw have learned Alison Shaw , Louise Harrison, Kate MurrayNewcastle University
Trauma-informed approaches can help address bullying in higher educationUniversities must take a compassionate, trauma-informed approach when tackling bullying in higher education, argues Glen CousquerGlen CousquerThe University of Edinburgh
The joy of simplicity: techniques that motivate, engage and foster learning in lecturesThe rise of AI and VR offers educators an array of innovative ways to engage students in lectures, but let’s not forget the simple methods that don’t require any technology, writes Alison ZimmerAlison ZimmerUniversity of Manchester
Universities need to get better at using Instagram – here’s howInstagram is the most effective social media channel to engage students, argues Ned Potter. In this resource, he outlines ways to produce successful content and increase reachNed PotterUniversity of York
Partnering with students to build belonging in a blended learning environmentA sense of belonging and community plays a major role in maximising student engagement. But how can educators cultivate an authentic community? Reimala SivalingamUniversity of Manchester
How can we create accessible and inclusive learning environments for neurodivergent students?How can we actively engage neurodivergent students in the classroom? This resource offers practical guidance for fostering accessible and inclusive learning environments that honour diverse thinking and learning stylesEmilie Edwards Middlesex University
Why get a PhD by publication (and other career tips)Finding the ‘golden thread’ in your academic path can offer an opportunity to reflect and grow, writes James DerounianJames DerounianUniversity of Bolton
How to initiate conversations about belongingBelonging may not always look the same for all students, but creating opportunities for organic conversations can foster partnerships between staff and students and help us understand what students needEmma PalmerUniversity of Hull
How storytelling boosts environmental impact and engagementPresenting sustainability research in a story – with a protagonist, goal and resolution – can bridge the gap between complex theory and real-world results for wider audiences and policymakers alike Denise BadenUniversity of Southampton
Using primary sources to tell queer historiesPublic records and private lives? In uncovering LGBTQ+ stories in personal archives and impersonal documents, historians should ask questions about how each source engages with gender and sexuality, writes Isabell DahmsIsabell DahmsGoldsmiths, University of London
Bring the SDGs into the classroom through role play and gamificationA case study showing how simulations, role playing and gamification can develop students’ global citizenship and help grand challenges feel more surmountableShelini Surendran, Kat Mack, Anand MistryUniversity of Surrey
Will ChatGPT change our definitions of cheating?We can’t yet know if we have a full taxonomy of ChatGPT-enhanced mischief, or whether certain uses should be classed as mischief at all, writes Tom MuirTom MuirOslo Metropolitan University
Can we spot AI-written content?A look at common features of LLM-created writing and its implications for how we might assess students’ knowledge and skills in the futureCesare Giulio ArditoUniversity of Manchester
How to help international students prepare for university life ahead of and after their arrivalAyten Ordu provides five top tips that will help ensure international students have a smooth transition to their new surroundingsAyten OrduNear East University
Advice for university staff on working successfully with HRHow can faculty ensure that all the touch points they have with human resources within their employee lifecycle are efficient, transparent and the best experience they can be?Lisa SmithUniversity of Southampton
Dealing with abuse after public commentary Communicating to the public can result in abuse of academics. Here, University of Southampton staff describe their experiences and provide tips on anticipating and dealing with trolling Michael Head, Larisa Yarovaya , Ashton Kingdon , Millie Downer University of Southampton
Eight ways to improve responses to sexual misconduct in universitiesMeasures to enhance UK universities’ response to sexual misconduct cases and create a more compassionate and effective systemMelissa Hamilton , Ioana Enany , Amy KnightUniversity of Surrey, St George’s, University of London
Messy decisions and creative science in the classroomHow can we teach students other than those studying for healthcare or other vocational qualifications to work across disciplinary boundaries and make scientific decisions in a creative – and enjoyable – manner? Here’s what we learned from running a data-driven drug-discovery scenarioCharlotte Dodson, Steve FlowerUniversity of Bath
Why buttons press our buttonsA design system can underpin consistency and content standards in university website and digital services, but it does not replace good design decisions. Here, Ayala Gordon offers guidance to content design teams Ayala GordonUniversity of Southampton
How to nurture socio-emotional intelligence in doctoral studentsA whole-institution approach to supporting the socio-emotional development of doctoral students so they become confident and adept early career researchersCamila Devis-RozentalBournemouth University
How to teach clinical communication skills in a foreign language from scratchThis hands-on approach to clinical practice integrates content and language and enables both local and international students to acquire communication skills and vocabulary alongside activities relevant to medical practiceKatalin Fogarasi, Judit CsászárSemmelweis University
The problem with equity, diversity and inclusion in a multiracist worldEDI initiatives are commonplace in Western higher education. They pay little or no attention to the global diversity of racism. But should they, asks Alastair BonnettAlastair Bonnett Newcastle University
Eight tips for making teaching and learning more enjoyable for learnersFrom mixing up the teaching space to drawing on real-life examples, Perçem Arman outlines ways to make lessons more fun and thus increase participationPerçem Arman Near East University
Menstruation, maternity, menopause: making space in the academy for all elements of womanhoodDo women’s health policies in higher education meet the needs of those they are meant to serve, and how might the stigma relating to aspects of womanhood be addressed?Christina Dzineku, Devon Oakley-HoggLeeds Trinity University, University of Glasgow
How do you leap from research lab to Silicon Valley start-up?The good news is that times of turmoil are ideal for innovation – and far more skills are transferable from bench to IPO than you might imagine. Here are eight actions that will get your start-up off the groundBen ClarkUniversity of Southampton
Make universities disability-inclusive, part one: feedback, access and languageMeredith Wilkinson offers advice on how to promote inclusivity for disabled students and staff at universitiesMeredith WilkinsonDe Montfort University
Making conferences more inclusive: opportunities, barriers and lessons learnedCaroline Green and William E. Donald share their experience of organising a one-day conference with inclusivity at its coreCaroline Green, William E. DonaldThe Talent Cycle, University of Southampton, Ronin Institute
Breaking academic barriers: language models and the future of searchThe true potential of generative AI and large language models remains underexplored in academia. These technologies may offer more than just answers. Here’s how the insights they offer could revolutionise academic search and discoveryAdrian RaudaschlElsevier
When it comes to professional development, let’s not forget part-time lecturersWhat could universities do to better support the professional development of part-time teaching staff? Martin W. Andrews and Ruth Lang investigateMartin W. Andrews, Ruth LangThe University of Portsmouth, Royal College of Art, London School of Architecture
THE podcast: unlocking people power through citizen scienceFind out how engaging non-academics in research can uncover and disperse new knowledge and ways of thinking that help shape solutions to seemingly intractable problemsHenrietta L. Moore , Joel Bitok, Alan IrwinUniversity College London, Copenhagen Business School
Devolved research funding in universities – a counter-narrativeUnfunded research could paradoxically add value to an institution’s output, profile and impact. Rosalind Edwards asks what lessons European initiatives can offerRosalind EdwardsUniversity of Southampton
Reconceptualise the ‘classroom’ for enhanced student engagement Student-centred learning strategies that will boost engagement holistically across in-person and digital learning spaces Elena Riva, Heather Meyer The University of Warwick
Autism in academic settings: unleashing unique strengths with adjustmentsPractical accommodations that support autistic individuals in higher education and embrace the strengths they bring to the workforce, fostering inclusion and productivityImogen PerkinsDe Montfort University
How do we write alternative text for images in education?Descriptions of images in online documents help all readers – not just those with vision impairment – to fully understand the photograph, chart or graph and make the information accessibleMatthew DeeproseUniversity of Southampton
Diversity efforts in academia are leading us towards ‘the oppression Olympics’EDI campaigns and scholarships keep failing ethnic minority students because they are tailored to the needs of white people, writes Andrea E.L. AttipoeAndrea E.L. AttipoeImperial College London
So what? Who cares? The skill of talking about impactDarcey Gillie explains the importance of talking about impact in higher education and offers practical steps on how to do itDarcey GillieThe University of Edinburgh
How to be an ally and support colleagues suffering from long CovidUniversities and employees are still learning about long Covid and how to deal with it, meaning it’s even more important to offer help and reasonable adjustmentsDamien Ridge, Ana Leite, Nisreen Alwan University of Westminster, Durham University , University of Southampton
Student support: four ways to innovate for improvement What fresh approaches could provide more proactive, tailored and cohesive student support? Andy Wistow shares insights from pilot schemes designed to do just thatAndy WistowUniversity of Bristol
Do you speak Gen Z or are you a noob?Students want to study with academics who understand them and speak their language rather than learn from people they feel are out of touch. Here’s how to align your lingo and foster engagementJennifer PulkkinenUniversity of Derby
Sparking online joy: five ways to keep students engagedFive guiding principles to use when designing and developing content for short online courses that will keep students engagedAndrés Ordorica , Marcello Crolla, Lizzy Garner-FoyThe University of Edinburgh
How can PhD researchers be supported to complete an alternative format thesis?How universities can best support PhD researchers who wish to produce alternative format theses, based on a review of institutional policiesCaitlin RobinsonUniversity of Bristol
Enhancing manuscript clarity and ethical credibility with ChatGPTIkenna Uwanuakwa shares experience and tips for using ChatGPT to improve academic writing without falling foul of ethical considerationsIkenna Uwanuakwa Near East University
Open educational resources to make lifelong learning accessible to allHow open educational resources can be created and managed to ensure courses and materials that support lifelong learning are accessible to all aspiring students at little or no costFiona BucklandThe University of Edinburgh
A case study in developing the next STEM generation University ‘taster days’ can introduce teenagers to what global health research and advocacy might be like as a future career. Here four academics describe a pilot training session and what they learned from itMichael Head, Jessica Boxall, Winfred Dotse-Gborgbortsi, Kathryn Woods-TownsendUniversity of Southampton
Want to know what the future of HE looks like? Ask your studentsIt’s time to embrace the student voice to improve inclusivity and innovation, and digital technology can be a massive help, writes Kristen McCartneyKristen McCartneyNorthumbria University
Using affective learning to foster engagement and critical thinkingIt takes time, patience and training, but a teaching approach that recognises the role that emotions play in learning can result in a more positive, effective and impactful student experienceJyoti Devi Mahadeo, Rabindra NepalUniversity of Bradford, University of Wollongong
Biased AI poses a threat to academic freedom that must be confrontedHow academics can manage and guide the use of generative artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT so that it enhances learning and independent thought and does not hamper academic freedomShweta SinghThe University of Warwick
Why hybrid learning needs hybrid faculties Online courses should be integrated into everyday faculty functions to improve remote and in-person classes as well as the overall student experienceAn Jacobs , Norma RossiRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst, Loughborough University, University of St Andrews
How to make access to doctoral study more equitableA three-pronged look at how to make access to doctoral study more equitable and remove barriers to entry that disproportionately impact students from ethnic minority backgrounds, based on findings of the Equator ProjectBenjamin Fernando, Sam Giles, Natasha DoweyUniversity of Oxford, University of Birmingham, Sheffield Hallam University
We need to bang the drum for music degreesMusic degrees aren’t as valued as they should be. Universities can do much more to make them attractive to students and parents, argues Sam WaltonSam WaltonRoyal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music