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REF may cause metrics 'creep', analyst warns

The use of statistical indicators to judge research quality is likely to "creep" into the social sciences under the system being set up to replace the research assessment exercise, a sector analyst...

Hefce backtracks to test post-RAE plans

Funding council's 'pilot exercise' goes back on original REF proposals. Zoe Corbyn reports

AHRC plans spark mixed response

Humanities subject leaders welcome meeting but remain worried about funding, writes Zoe Corbyn

International collaboration in research up 50%

Researchers at UK universities are involved in 50 per cent more international collaborations today than they were ten years ago, a study has found.The report published this week shows that...

Cartoon by Ham

On the B-side of life

Muscians find it easier than academics to set their egos aside, be generous to their peers and play sidemen for a true great, argues Tara Brabazon

Holiday and sickness absence

We are often asked what the legal position is in relation to holiday for employees who are off on long-term sick leave – in particular where their absence has spanned over an institution’s holiday...

Top 20 countries in molecular biology and genetics based on impact

Data from Thomson Scientific’s Essential Science Indicators, 1 January 1997-31 October 2007

Missing the mark for originality

As Gloria Monday settles down to mark essays, she finds it a struggle to keep up with the copycats

Vice-Chancellor Denies 'Jumping with Joy'

The campus was rocked this week by claims that our Vice-Chancellor behaved inappropriately following the recent dismissal of Doctor G.T. Flagg from the Department of Management Studies. These claims...

Accentuate the positive

Does knowing your personality traits help you lead better? asks Sally Feldman

Off Piste: Dope and glory

The ban on performance-boosting substances in sport is a self-satisfied nonsense, argues historian Geoffrey Alderman in a fortnightly series allowing academics to step outside their area of expertise

Guest Leader: Get set for changes up ahead

The climate in which universities operate presents difficulties and opportunities. We must prepare for both, writes Ron Dearing

Peter Carpenter, 1942-2008

As an expert in fluid mechanics, Peter Carpenter's research took him into areas as diverse as butterflies' flight and the swimming of dolphins.After a degree at the University of London, where he...

Taking the HEA to task over accountability

I am writing as a member of the Higher Education Academy academic council. I was elected in October as a representative of the fellows. My platform was highly critical of the HEA leadership. I...