Political fabric
I strongly disagree with T.P. Burlap of Poppleton University, who claims that David Willetts, the universities and science minister, should use graphene to construct his responses (The Poppletonian,...
I strongly disagree with T.P. Burlap of Poppleton University, who claims that David Willetts, the universities and science minister, should use graphene to construct his responses (The Poppletonian,...

Weekly transmissions from the blogosphere
University of ManchesterFeeling peckish?Computer scientists have built a talking, tweeting chicken aimed at shaming dieters into sticking to their New Year's resolutions. The chicken sits in a...
ChinaLeading scholars censure censorProminent Chinese academics have signed an open letter calling for the resignation of a propaganda official over allegations that he unjustifiably censored a major...
A book by leading Tory modernisers, including David Willetts, advocates a state-backed loan system for postgraduates supported by undergraduates repaying more, and describes student protesters as "...
Open-access policyLords host Finch and friendsThe Science and Technology Committee of the House of Lords has launched a short inquiry into the government's and Research Councils UK's open-access...
Universities with lower student demand will have places cut in 2014 and beyond to reward more popular institutions, the government has signalled.The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...

Oft-criticised scholarship scheme’s riches will now follow the poor, BIS states. Jack Grove reports
Rise in staff submissions predicted despite tightened funding formula. Paul Jump reports
Student leavers who complete full-time first degrees at a further education college in England are paid £4,000 a year less on average than their university counterparts and are at least 50 per cent...

Effort to halt male bias on event panels sparks controversy. Elizabeth Gibney and Paul Jump write
Essay-writing firm denies inconsistency in its director penning satirical novel. Paul Jump reports
Universities will this year start to build “social science parks” as a route to improving public services, according to a prediction published by Nesta, the foundation for innovation.Contributing to...
The University of Cambridge has been named the UK’s most gay-friendly higher education institution.It was one of six universities to feature in the annual Top 100 Employers list compiled by the gay...

Lecturers’ live-to-camera marking of student work proves to be a low-budget hit, reports Chris Parr