Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

UK university spin-outs raise record £3.4 billion in investments

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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 3h

Spin-out companies from UK universities generated an “unprecedented” level of investment last year, a new report has found. @patrickjack.bsky.social reports #academicsky
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-univ...

Success of two health spin-outs from UCL and Cambridge help drive value of deals higher in 2024

Ellison invests a further £890 million in Oxford science campus

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 3h

A science campus being developed on the outskirts of Oxford is set to receive an additional £890 million investment from one of the world’s richest men. @twilliamsthe.bsky.social reports #academicsky

Tech tycoon agrees to fund big expansion of site now being overseen by former University of Michigan president Santa Ono

Half of new student accommodation built in just three UK cities

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 5h

Nearly half of all new UK student accommodation built for this year was located in just three English cities as developers focus on “premium” locations, according to a new report. Patrick Jack writes #academicsky https://ow.ly/pUgj50Xb0US

Developers focus on ‘premium locations’ as pockets of underoccupancy emerge elsewhere

Let’s rethink recruitment for an inclusive university culture

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 7h

Traditional recruitment might be holding back inclusion more than we realise. Here’s how to tweak the process so every candidate can shine: www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/lets-... #Academia #HigherEd #AcademicChatter #AcademicSky #EduSky

Recruitment remains rooted in tradition – but this could be more detrimental to an inclusive culture than we think. Here’s how to tweak the process to allow every candidate to show what they can do

From discomfort to dialogue: how to teach controversial topics with confidence

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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 7h

Sensitive topics can be tough to teach. But with structure and openness, they can spark powerful learning. See how: www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/disco... #Academia #HigherEd #AcademicChatter #AcademicSky #EduSky @uniofnottingham.bsky.social

Teaching sensitive topics can be challenging, but with structure and openness, they can become powerful opportunities for learning

New Zealand creates single research funder to ‘simplify’ system

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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 8h

A single independent board will assume decision-making powers over science funding in New Zealand, taking over from three separate agencies that currently administer the key competitive schemes #academicsky
https://ow.ly/PQVk50XaWlH

Universities cautiously welcome changes intended to cut down on bureaucracy, but are wary of narrowing focus

Embracing superdiversity: a concrete path for universities

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 9h

A thriving academic community doesn’t happen by chance. It’s built through intentionality, vision and daily commitment, writes Francesco Billari: www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/embra... #Academia #HigherEd #AcademicChatter

The richness of an academic community lies in connecting people of different backgrounds, approaches and perspectives. But this does not happen by chance; it requires intentionality, vision and daily ...

Why employability gaps widen as academic identity deepens

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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 9h

The tighter researchers’ identities are bound to the university, the less prepared they often feel for life beyond it. Embracing both depth and outbound modes of working can help bridge the employability gap, says Alys Kay: www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/why-e... #EduSky #HigherEd #AcademicSky

The more tightly researchers’ identities bind to the university, the less ready they often feel for life beyond it. Naming two modes of working, depth and outbound, can help universities close the emp...

Ten actions lecturers can take to boost black students’ belonging

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 9h

Ten ways lecturers can help Black students feel a stronger sense of #belonging at university: www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/ten-a...
#EDI #DEI #Academia #HigherEd #AcademicChatter #AcademicSky #EduSky

A 10-step guide to how lecturers can improve the experience of black students studying in predominantly white institutions

Virtual fellowships as ‘material solidarity’ against scholasticide, part 2

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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 9h

How can statements of solidarity be turned into real support? UK academics share lessons from a pilot virtual fellowship scheme for Palestinian scholars: www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/virtu... #Academia #HigherEd #AcademicChatter #AcademicSky #PhDsky

UK academics are exploring how virtual fellowships can offer practical, sustainable support to Palestinian scholars. Drawing on their pilot scheme, the authors share key lessons on turning statements ...

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 11h

The loss of students from Europe after Brexit is the “elephant in the room” when considering many of the problems UK higher education now faces, according to the authors of a new book. Patrick Jack reports #academicsky
https://ow.ly/hqzn50XazBe

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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 11h

A “challenging” graduate labour market in the UK could further erode trust in the higher education sector, with the “bad times” showing little sign of ending, reports
Juliette Rowsell #academicsky #edusky
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/faith-universities-new-low-graduate-jobs-dry

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 12h

Opinion: Last week’s arson at Fort Hare underlines how destructive tensions between students and university leaders have become, says Pikolomzi Qaba #academicsky https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/south-african-universities-need-national-conflict-resolution-service

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 12h

A study has identified a disconnect between researchers who study higher education and those who manage higher education institutions, with a lack of communication potentially hampering both sides #edusky
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/he-research-rarely-informs-administrators-decisions

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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 23h

Will superuniversities save UK HE?: The quasi-merger of the universities of Kent and Greenwich has raised questions about how many other institutions might see an opportunity – or necessity – to team up as financial pressures bite ever harder. Six experts share their views
https://ow.ly/P2Cy50X9MOP

LSE professor shares Nobel economics prize for innovation work

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 1d

A London School of Economics professor whose research into how “creative destruction” drives economic growth has won the Nobel Prize in Economics alongside two US-based economists, reports @jgro-the.bsky.social #Nobel https://ow.ly/VylE50XaCxT

Rare win for Europe-based economist Phillipe Aghion rewards mathematical modelling of how ‘creative destruction’ underpins economics growth

Can transferable skills be taught in distance learning?

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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 1d

With #AI and hybrid work on the rise, virtual classrooms can sometimes teach transferable skills such as body language more authentically than in person, say Emilie Rutledge and Jonquil Lowe. See how: www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/can-t... #Academia #HigherEd #AcademicChatter#EduSky

As workplaces are increasingly AI-integrated and hybrid, teaching transferable skills – including body language – in a virtual learning environment can, in some cases, offer a more authentic education...

National skills wallet ‘would help more students into work’

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Reposted by Times Higher Education (THE)

Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 1d

UK government should establish a “national skills wallet” to log qualifications and support more school leavers into higher education and professional training, says report www.timeshighereducation.com/news/nationa... via @helenpacker.bsky.social

UK policymakers urged to replace ‘outdated’ system with nationwide digital programme for logging academic credentials

Phillipson tells universities to ‘rid campuses of antisemitism’

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Reposted by Times Higher Education (THE)

Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 1d

Phillipson tells universities to ‘rid campuses of antisemitism’ www.timeshighereducation.com/news/phillip... via @helenpacker.bsky.social

Training sessions to be rolled out to educate university staff on identifying harassment and supporting students

Competition law exemption ‘needed to prevent courses dying out’

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Reposted by Times Higher Education (THE)

Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 1d

More degree subjects likely to face extinction unless changes are made to competition laws to allow universities to work together to maintain certain courses, experts say www.timeshighereducation.com/news/competi... via @helenpacker.bsky.social

Attempts to quell universities’ fears about competition laws may actually be heightening anxiety over collaboration in cash-strapped sector

Will superuniversities save UK HE?

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Reposted by Times Higher Education (THE)

Chris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 1d

Will superuniversities save UK HE? Six experts share their views www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/will-s...

The quasi-merger of the universities of Kent and Greenwich has raised questions about how many other higher education institutions might see an opportunity – or a necessity – to team up as financial p...

Former university executive named shadow education minister

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Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 1d

A former university executive has become Australia’s new shadow education minister, in a reshuffle sparked by factional strife in the opposition Liberal Party, reports John Ross #academicsky https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/former-university-executive-named-shadow-education-minister

Antisemitism and indigenous voice campaigner Julian Leeser appointed Liberal education spokesman

Phillipson tells universities to ‘rid campuses of antisemitism’

Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 1d

The education secretary has told universities they have her “full backing” to use their powers to stop antisemitism on campuses as the government sets out additional measures to tackle abuse. Helen Packer reports #academicsky
https://ow.ly/qyYI50Xamp9

Training sessions to be rolled out to educate university staff on identifying harassment and supporting students