How open knowledge strengthens democraciesNo longer just guardians of knowledge, public universities are critical to the health of young democracies. To support civil society and democracy, flagship institutions must embrace their role as coordinators of open knowledge exchange Justin Axel-BergUniversity of São Paulo
A higher education playbook for strengthening democracy: what institutions can doFive ways universities can engage in supporting democracy in their home nations and throughout the world, presented by William TierneyWilliam TierneyUniversity of Southern California
Universities must promote pluralism to ward off threats to democracyOnce the moral basis of anyone who disagrees with us is rejected, then democracy inevitably implodes, says Matthew Flinders Matthew FlindersUniversity of Sheffield
How universities can embed democratic principles and practices into the student experienceHigher education is a critical pillar of a functional democracy and there are things that colleges and universities can do today to actively foster democratic practices, as Meg Little Reilly explains Meg Little ReillyUniversity of Vermont
What can universities do to protect Russian and Ukrainian academics fighting for truth?Academics’ struggle is a stirring reminder that the freedom of scholars and students to speak, teach and publish is neither inviolable nor dispensable, says Ron DanielsRon DanielsJohns Hopkins University
Fake news and disinformation abounds, but what can universities do?Few universities offer courses on countering propaganda, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings this weakness of provision into sharp relief, says Paul BainesPaul BainesUniversity of Leicester
How universities can promote ‘democratic competences’ among studentsA guide to how higher education can help develop a culture of democracy among students, through study programmes, a whole institution approach and community engagement, by Sjur BerganSjur BerganCouncil of Europe
Social justice in, through and beyond higher educationHigher education institutions can work individually and together to advance social justice well beyond their campus walls, as Pardis Mahdavi explainsPardis MahdaviArizona State University
Four key strategies for higher education leaders to advance democracyUniversity leaders must use their positions to develop citizens and communities that combat tyranny and facilitate democracy – hard work that is done on and off campusJon McNaughtan, Alexander W. WisemanTexas Tech University
Negotiating the minefield of global online teaching: dealing with difference Farish A. Noor offers advice on managing the conflicting viewpoints of students living and studying in different countries and cultural contexts when teaching international groups onlineFarish A. Noor Nanyang Technological University
Democratic assessment: why, what, and howDivya Bheda shares five ways educators can embody democratic principles through their assessment practices to help students learn civic-minded values and behaviourDivya BhedaExamSoft
Safely teaching foreign students facing censorshipForeign students studying online in their home countries may be subject to strict press controls, so educators must carefully consider their course content and discussion points, Pavin Chachavalpongpun explainsPavin ChachavalpongpunKyoto University
How to embed public engagement into your teaching and research activities Carenza Lewis shares a step-by-step guide for embedding public engagement into your institution’s research and teaching Carenza LewisUniversity of Lincoln
Bringing international and intercultural dimensions into your programmesJeanine Gregersen-Hermans and Karen M. Lauridsen address how educators may create an internationalised learning experience for all students by including global and intercultural dimensions in curriculum design and delivery Jeanine Gregersen-Hermans, Karen M. LauridsenZuyd University, Aarhus University, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Meritocracy in the academy isn’t fit for purpose – but we can fix itInstitutions need to think about who they’re picking and foster both literacy and competence around minority issues as the first steps to a true meritocracyrashné limki The University of Edinburgh
We’ve forgotten how to communicate science to the public at a crucial timeAs we try to tackle climate change, it feels like the pandemic has pushed us back decades to the bad old mode of scientists lecturing the public, says John WomersleyJohn WomersleyUniversity of Oxford
Teaching students to think for themselves is not enoughThe critical thinking ideal is too individualistic and self-focused − students must learn to help others think well, too, says T. Ryan ByerlyT. Ryan ByerlyUniversity of Sheffield
Don’t downplay the role of community colleges in healing a nationAt a time of rampant disinformation, these two-year institutions can be the engines of enquiry and purpose that enable the next generation to rebuild our democracy, says Eduardo PadronEduardo PadronMiami Dade College