Accusations of ‘privilege’ are a form of one-upsmanship – and a charge against which there is no real defenseIn recent years, Skidmore College, where I am a professor, has been roiled by political incidents large and small. As at other colleges and uni…
Category Archives: Universities
University of Western Australia’s decision to close publishing house sparks outrage
Decision to shut UWA Publishing, which published works by multiple Miles Franklin winners, came ‘out of the blue’The University of Western Australia’s surprise decision to shut down its publishing house has prompted outrage and protest from the Austral…
University staff don’t want to strike for fair pensions and pay, but we’re being forced to | Jo Grady
Insecure employment and changes to pensions are stopping us from delivering quality education to studentsEarlier this week, the University and College Union (UCU) announced that staff in 60 universities across the UK will abandon their offices, librari…
The Guardian view on academia and autocracies: stand firm | Editorial
Universities are hungry for international students and funding. But they must not compromise their fundamental valuesEducation is one of Britain’s most successful exports, bringing in almost £20bn a year. Universities and ministers love to talk up its …
The sandwich degree: how to fill your course with a dream placement
Lots of students favour degrees that include a year working in industry. Our experts reveal how to find the best opportunitiesWhen Heidi Hawkins applied for her degree in business management at the University of Huddersfield, the sandwich year was the …
University strike could affect over a million students, says union
UCU announces industrial action at 60 UK institutions starting on 25 NovemberStaff at 60 universities across the UK are to walk out on strike later this month over pensions, pay and conditions in a wave of action which could disrupt the studies of more…
‘Alarming’ Chinese meddling at UK universities exposed in report
Chinese embassy appears to be coordinating efforts to curb academic freedom, say MPsUniversities are not adequately responding to the growing risk of China and other “autocracies” influencing academic freedom in the UK, the foreign affairs select commi…
‘Angry’ university workers vote in favour of industrial action
University and College Union says ballots are indictment of state of higher educationDisillusioned university workers have voted in support of strike action on campuses across the UK following separate ballots over pensions, pay and working conditions….
How I found my vocation: ‘My stammer made me a better teacher’
I was told to consider a different career – but it’s good for students to see that we’re real people tooI knew I wanted to teach from the age of 15 but feared my stammer would stop me. One teacher even told me I should consider a different career becau…
Australian literature in universities is under threat, but cultural cringe isn’t the reason why | Julieanne Lamond
There is a struggle for survival going on at universities but we’ve been drawing battle lines in all the wrong placesWhen news broke about the University of Sydney’s decision not to fund a replacement for the retiring chair of Australian literature, it…