91ÇÑ×Ó

Sally Feldman mourns the demise of local papers and regional television

Impact statements are intended ultimately to benefit society, argues Dave Delpy, not interfere with funding

John Ashworth's method of coping with massive cuts at Salford in the early 1980s will be a useful model for universities in the future

Gary Day is transfixed by the intensity of Coptic art but finds the avant-garde more prosaic

As private providers make inroads into the sector, it's only right that all institutions are subject to the same rules

Efforts to climb several rungs of the career ladder at once

In light of the unmasking of Belle de Jour as a scientist, Petra Boynton, who blogs about sex and science, says institutions must balance privacy, scholarship and advocacy

This is the best way to maintain standards while at the same time serving public benefit, argues Aldwyn Cooper

Keats, the upstart who overcame all the odds to join the pantheon of literary greats, is an inspiration to Robert Mighall

Gary Day is inspired by the language and imagery of Beowulf, but is brought back to earth by a dogs' tale

Competing mission groups risk undermining the message that all universities are valuable and deserve continued support

Discarding 'unsuitable' proof in policymaking is foolhardy, warns Kevin Fong

Monographs are miniatures of scholarship, but some people artfully build them into microcosmic extravaganzas that inspire Tara Brabazon

Reasons to be cheerful without a proper job

While scientists are easily able to demonstrate the impact of their work, the social sciences are often on the back foot when it comes to highlighting the value of research, says Ziyad Marar

We should learn from the American experience with fees, says Alan Ryan

The 91ÇÑ×Ó Secretary's decision to sack David Nutt for his remarks about cannabis was misjudged, insists Lord Krebs

While its aim to widen access is welcome, the strategy document Higher Ambitions is based on a fallacy, says Vernon Bogdanor

Black holes are a source of mystery for Gary Day, who finds that some TV is far from dumbed down

Wellcome Trust director Mark Walport argues that fellowship schemes are the way forward

Researchers, government and society benefit when research is made freely available, so the sooner it is mandated, the better

Now that her manager has retired, Gloria is left to pick up the pieces

When do you reveal personal reasons behind career choices?

Stage experience is vital for budding performers, says Luke Scott, who enthuses his students with a hands-on approach

Labour¡¯s student-as-customer framework reduces the academy to a glorified apprenticeship system and leaves Donald Braben praying for a predictable future

Libraries are being transformed into rowdy social spaces, with disastrous consequences, says Kevin Sharpe

Universities should learn from other cultures to inculcate respect and prudence, which companies will soon demand, argues Peter Brady

Gary Day learns how Britons made a modern nation and made love, not least on campus

Our world rankings are hugely influential but also come under criticism every year, so we have decided to improve them

Some speaking engagements discomfort Tim Birkhead, but he is undeterred

Tara Brabazon turns up the volume of Ghost Town to hear a soundtrack in keeping with our times

A plan is needed for when my contract comes to an end

University curriculums should include an experience akin to online gaming, which could provide an edge in the jobs market, say Graham Manville and Janice Rippon

The decline of criticism is not democratising: it threatens the development of culture itself, argues Tiffany Jenkins

'Intensely relaxed' about the academy's 'filthy rich legacy', Simon Blackburn sees no need to justify his work to ministers

Michael Thorne argues that the CBI task force's proposals are built on outdated thinking about graduates in a modern economy

Nick Griffin's recent appearance on Question Time gives Gary Day plenty of food for thought

Asia's giant has universities and research to equal many of the world's best, and its strength and confidence will only grow

Poor Colombia deserves a happy birthday, says Felipe Fern¨¢ndez-Armesto

A discussion with the head of department proves a mistake

Russell Stannard, a 91ÇÑ×Ó Award winner for his work with ICT, offers practical tips on how to increase the visibility of a website with your open education resources

Gary Day finds nature thrilling but is filled with gloom by our perpetual desire to reinvent ourselves

The social and personal-development needs of students who study for higher degrees must be taken more seriously

Sally Feldman's mentoring sessions don't follow rules, and that's no bad thing

John Beddington welcomes Hefce's plans to recognise and reward academic work that informs policymaking in the REF

Administrative staff do not deserve demonisation because they too are committed to the university's unique mission, argues David Allen

A new book about what is free on the internet is no anarcho-syndicalist guide to subversion, cautions Tara Brabazon

What with the pull of book-writing and the need to earn a living, there¡¯s no time to achieve ¡®high-impact¡¯ status

Lecturers must do more than lecture, argues Mary Malcolm: they must develop students' intellectual-inquiry skills

To meet future challenges, we need a single knowledge infrastructure incorporating higher and further education, says Lord Mandelson

Gary Day admires Joan Collins' chutzpah as she encourages three generations of women to glam up

Historians separate fact from fiction, keeping politicians honest and clearing the way for better thinking

Lecturing when fatigued is an inescapable fact of life for Kevin Fong

The REF plans are bad news for new universities and promise to negate the fairness and sense apparent in the 2008 RAE, argues Ian M. Marshall