Sweden’s redrawn research ethics law ‘a step in right direction’ Suggested exemptions to ethical approval welcomed, but more progress needed, experts say By Emily Dixon 17 October
Oxford’s chancellor has no power but can be a force for the sector’s good If elected, I will use my vast experience of higher education to help Oxford lead the way through the big challenges facing UK HE, says David Willetts By David Willetts 17 October
European research ‘needs new initiatives and more funding’ Group of experts advises European Union to embark on huge new investment in research By Emily Dixon 16 October
Imran Khan out of Oxford chancellor race as candidates confirmed Controversial Pakistani politician disqualified, but those making the cut include William Hague, Peter Mandelson, David Willetts and Elish Angiolini By Jack Grove 16 October
Warwick pledges ?700 million for campus’ new science precinct Unprecedented investment is one of the largest UK university building projects in recent years By Jack Grove 16 October
Curiosity-driven research is ‘goose that lays the golden egg’ Lord Vallance says UK must not ‘rest on its laurels’, but signals that new Labour government will not interfere with direction of blue-sky science By Patrick Jack 15 October
French researcher imprisoned in Russia under ‘foreign agent’ law Laurent Vinatier, an adviser at the non-profit Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, sentenced to three years in prison By Emily Dixon 15 October
Suspended Buckingham v-c says allegations against him ‘baseless’ James Tooley vows to contest ‘serious’ claims as he faces inquiry at UK’s oldest private university By Tom Williams 15 October
Proposed resit fee ‘could deter students from finishing degree’ Charge students to retake passed exams, Norwegian government tells universities By Emily Dixon 15 October
What academia can learn from Edinburgh Cold War-era Soviet talks Conversations between Scottish and Soviet researchers during the 1980s show academia’s potential to provide ideological safe space ‘outside of the state and its institutional needs’ By Juliette Rowsell 15 October
London universities ‘more likely to be allowed to go bust’ Capital seen as being able to absorb ramifications of a market exit, while regional towns and cities would feel much greater impact By Tom Williams 14 October
University interest in ‘suboptimal’ Turing scheme wanes Number of higher education institutions applying to take part in UK student mobility programme fell this year By Patrick Jack 14 October
