Feature article

Young female Asian university student in white coat

Using design-thinking to train the next generation of engineers

A ‘triple helix’ teaching approach shows how engineering educators can combine theoretical rigour with practical problem-solving to prepare students to innovate in the real world. Here, Chen Xiaodong explains how it evolved

Chen Xiaodong

Nanyang Technological University

Protecting your work – and your values – in US higher education

With 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, explains

Lisa Schiff

Independent academic

An illustration of hands putting together a jigsaw puzzle

A step-by-step guide to developing a high-impact online course

Want 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 process

Michael Okrent , Susan Weese

Colorado State University Global

An academic disclosing their disability to their manager

Stop treating disability support as an afterthought

Find out what prevents university staff from disclosing invisible disabilities – and steps their institutions can take to change that

Christina Dzineku, James Murray

Independent academic, University of Buckingham

Three people looking at a page in a meeting

‘Explain your research as if you were speaking to a smart teenager’

For researchers to give their work a chance to have real-world impact, they need skills and tools to communicate effectively with politicians. Here, Kylie Ahern offers ways to make every engagement count

Kylie Ahern

STEM Matters

Ways to make your learning materials accessible and inclusive

Advice on laying the groundwork for inclusive teaching and using tools that help students with specific needs thrive

Eunice Costilla Cruz , Nelly Ramírez Vázquez

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Using small-scale ChatGPT integration to introduce online students to GenAI

Integration 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 technology

Jonathan Zaccarini

Columbia University

Make your university a home away from home

International students need a strong support system to settle them into their new environment. Find out how to provide one with these tips

Aray Saniyazova

Nazarbayev University

What on-the-job training looks like in the classroom for MBA students

Examples of authentic assessment methods for MBA students that align academic goals with dynamic real-world demands and equip students with job-ready skills

Harini K N

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Ubuntu philosophy: how embracing cultural heritage in the classroom can enhance teaching

Teaching that incorporates this African value system prioritises relationship building and authenticity. Here’s how to put it into practice

Chipo Simbi

University of Southampton

Seven tips to turn teaching practices into scholarship outputs

What are universities looking for when they ask for examples of scholarship outputs? Find out what could provide evidence of this work and how it can enhance your academic career

Steve Briggs, Julie Hulme

University of Bedfordshire

Navigating global uncertainty together: reframing our approach to control

In an ever-changing academic landscape, focusing on what we can – and can’t – control and influence helps us build resilience. Here, Imogen and Jay offer practical tips and strategies to help you feel more engaged

Imogen Varle, Jay Cotton

De Montfort University

Traditional ecological knowledge can inspire students to take climate action

Combining ancient wisdom with modern knowledge does not just broaden perspectives, it can also prompt climate action. Discover more benefits, and read advice on how to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into curricula

Daniel Yonto, Bin Feng

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

The path towards a tobacco-free campus

For the health of students and staff and the good of the planet, a tobacco-free campus is the only option for a modern university. Özen Aşut shares how the efforts of her students prompted real change in northern Cyprus

Özen Aşut

Near East University

Guard rails to mitigate ethical concerns for AI use

Artificial 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 concerns

Qin Zhu

Virginia Tech

Why inclusion in EAP needs a rethink

Teaching English for academic purposes should be inclusive by its very nature. Here’s how to centre student voices, challenge assumptions about academic language, and design learning for meaningful participation and belonging

Angelos Bakogiannis

Independent academic

A student filling in a questionnaire at their laptop

Use weekly class surveys to support learning

How regular student surveys help you understand their needs, adapt your teaching content and encourage active classroom discussions

Adrian Man-Ho Lam

The University of Hong Kong

The importance of educational cultural awareness in the multicultural classroom

What happens when you mix contrasting worldviews and pedagogies in one university classroom? Find out how to balance students’ biases – and your own – to prepare them for a globalised world

Marie N. Bernal

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Young woman surrounded by light bulbs, creative concept

‘Creative students need environments where risk feels possible, not paralysing’

Creative students are often encouraged to be bold and brave, but it’s hard when doubt, perfectionism and fear of judgement cloud their minds. David Thompson explores what educators can do to help them reconnect with curiosity and play

David Thompson

University of Lincoln

Three ways to spot someone struggling – and six ways to support them

Institutional policies can only go so far when it comes to mental health. Find out how to spot a student or colleague in crisis – and what you can do to help

Sumbal Riaz, Aqsa Khan, Soha Saifulla

Dubai Medical University

Female college professor helping male student

Only a human will do: when to eschew AI in teaching and research

Artificial 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 explains

Qin Zhu

Virginia Tech

An academic holding a pile of books in front of a library bookshelf

Arts and humanities scholars can engage with policy, too

Advice for arts and humanities academics who want to develop their impact profile while staying true to their roots

Charlotte Faucher

The University of Bristol

The power of short courses in transforming the workplace

What started out as a business research project into low productivity became a commercially successful short course. Perhaps it’s time to think outside the box and respond to what businesses need

Richard Saundry

University of Westminster

A lecturer at the front of class presenting to students

Student insight can shape the way we use GenAI in teaching

Students tend to be more comfortable with teachers using GenAI to support, rather than fully generate, learning materials. The key is to use it effectively and communicate your approach transparently

Svetoslav G. Georgiev, Joseph Tinsley

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Illustration of an elephant in a library

‘Using GenAI is easier than asking my supervisor for support’

Doctoral researchers are turning to generative AI to assist in their research. How are they using it, and how can supervisors and candidates have frank discussions about using it responsibly?

Ross English, Rebecca Nash, Heather Mackenzie

University of Southampton

A woman sits in a beanbag chair with a laptop

How to spark student start-ups

Universities are the ideal environment to turn ideas into businesses. Here’s how to encourage entrepreneurship and foster a start-up dynamic in your students

Robert Crammond, William Shepherd

University of the West of Scotland

Should we kill the essay?

Long-form writing seems to have become a battleground for the showdown between AI and academic integrity. With technology exposing the essay’s flaws, Luke Zaphir offers ways to reinforce this storied assessment task

Luke Zaphir

The University of Queensland

Reshaping assessment to outsmart AI

Adapting common assessment types can not only deter the overuse of AI – and avoid administration overload – but support student learning in a more authentic and engaging manner

Rebecca Mace, Viktoria Magne, Sarah Hooper, Sharon Vince

University of Worcester, University of West London

Three images - one thumbs up, one down and one in the middle

How to encourage peer review in online courses

A framework and practical strategies to train students to provide constructive peer feedback that improves learning outcomes

Jie Zhang, Steven Bateman, Qing Ye

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Preparing for a research-active career during your PhD

How can you balance the demands of your PhD thesis with publishing other work to support your academic career goals? This article offers practical strategies for managing both

Anjan Pal

University of York

How to build competency-based assessment into a clinical supervision course

Changes in Singapore’s healthcare sector meant health professionals needed extra skills for the workplace. Here’s how a clinical supervision certificate helped them learn on the job

Heidi Tan, Celestine Seet

Singapore Institute of Technology

Poster approaches to embedding real-world learning into coursework

A data visualisation task can support students’ problem-solving and critical thinking skills as well as give context to themes around sustainability. Here’s how to put it into practice

Lisa Winstanley

Nanyang Technological University

A lecturer standign at the front of class

Successful outreach requires an agile approach

Guidance on reviewing and refreshing an outreach offering to better support underrepresented groups into higher education

Laura Bates

Five ways to start leading research culture change

If you’re concerned that research culture is valuing output over well-being, or prioritising prestige over passion, these tips could help you move towards more supportive and collaborative labs and departments

Annette Bramley, Candy Rowe

N8 Research Partnership, Newcastle University

Teaching students how to spot scientific misinformation

Educators 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 skills

Bradford Vivian

Penn State College of the Liberal Arts

A young woman puts her hand to her temple at her laptop

What will it take to find a real solution for the student mental health crisis?

Fixing the student mental health crisis will require systemic change, not just individual coping strategies. Here’s how to take action and foster a culture that puts well-being before academic achievement

Sadaf Majeed, Umamah Rehman , Maria Faisal

Dubai Medical University

If AI were a DJ…

This class exercise uses metaphor to help non-technical students gain a clearer understanding of what artificial intelligence is – and what this complex, opaque technology isn’t

Pablo Sanguinetti

IE University

A teacher smiling to camera holding a student's paper

How to talk to students about their writing

Verbal feedback can encourage students to think critically and independently about their language learning and improve future work. These tips explain how to put the method into practice

Lulu Jin

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

A tutor talks to apprenticeships in a carpentry workshop

Graduate apprenticeships need link tutors – but who’s looking after them?

Academic link tutors are a crucial cog in the mechanism of graduate apprenticeships, yet they perform this role with little support. Here’s how to invest in them instead

Elaine Jackson, Gary Gillon

University of the West of Scotland

A futuristic digital classroom in the metaverse where students, represented as diverse avatars, engage in an interactive lesson. A teacher, using holographic AI tools, guides them through immersive learning experiences. Floating virtual screens display storytelling prompts, character designs, and business concepts. The background features a blend of virtual reality elements

Use AI and the metaverse to keep your students engaged online

AI and virtual reality technology enables diverse learning experiences for online students. Discover how by applying universal design for learning principles

Angeles Carolina Aguirre-Acosta , Gloria Anahí Molina Barrón , Rebeca Elizabeth Alvarado Ramírez

Tecnológico de Monterrey

A hand places a wooden block atop three others

Are module leaders missing out on professional development?

Let’s support module leaders with effective and engaging training opportunities. Here are five ways to do it

Gustavo Espinoza Ramos , Louis Spring

University of Westminster

Smiling woman talking to healthcare professional

Key challenges for patient and public involvement leads

The research team member who leads on PPI must act in the interests of healthcare patients and the public as well as support the needs of the research project. Here is advice for how to succeed in this emerging role

Gary Hickey

University of Southampton

Connect and catalyse: international collaborations in the semiconductor field

Semiconductors 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 explains

Yang “Cindy” Yi

Virginia Tech

Create an environment where good mental health can thrive

How can surroundings affect the mental health of students and staff? Follow these tips to make sure the university environment supports mental well-being

Altyngul Borantay

Nazarbayev University

Students holding hands around a glowing orb

Not all students want to fit in, but every student wants to matter

Making students feel they matter can dramatically improve lecture attendance. Here are ways to do it

Celine Caquineau

The University of Edinburgh

The power of a 30-minute meeting

One-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 classroom

R. Katherine Samford, Kendall Nelson

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Students in a group walking together on campus

Creating a culture of belonging with inclusive pedagogy

Building cultural humility and meaningful relationships with students are two of several strategies to foster belonging in students from minoritised backgrounds

Yusra Siddiqui , Musarrat Maisha Reza

The University of Exeter

A laptop screen with many different storage drawers opening

Is collaboration the key to digital accessibility?

Digital accessibility is ethically important, and a legal requirement, but it’s also a lot of work. Here’s how universities can collaborate and pool their expertise to make higher education accessible for all

Sal Jarvis, George Rhodes

University of Westminster

Thinking like a physicist can prepare students for life’s challenges

Technology and peer learning can be used to optimise classroom time and enhance problem-solving skills. Here, Teck Seng Koh uses a sample lesson to illustrate how to develop students’ analysis capacity

Teck Seng Koh

Nanyang Technological University

Students working on a research project with staff

Two ways to teach undergraduate students research skills

How to ensure students are treated as partners in research collaborations and help them develop the skills they need for further study and beyond

Louise Hewitt

University of Greenwich

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