Closed book of Ruth
Thank goodness Ruth Kelly, the new Education Secretary, is a member of the mysterious Catholic organisation Opus Dei - otherwise journalists would have nothing to write about her. Ms Kelly has...
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New jobs for the old guard
As Ukraine's political crisis nears resolution, it appears that discredited members of the old establishment are seeking refuge in academia. Serhij Kivalov - who as head of the Central Electoral...
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A hair-ald of good fortune?
Paul Mackney, general secretary of lecturers' union Natfhe, expressed disappointment at a party in the House of Commons last year that his union never won anything. But perhaps the wind has changed?...
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Why I did not laugh at psychic 'Shirley'
Sceptics are used to meeting strange people in odd places with TV cameras watching. So it did not seem unusual last month to be invited to test the supposed abilities of a psychic in a laboratory at...
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Economics of disaster
In the tsunami's wake, Ian Davis insists debt write-offs will help more than early warning systems The world changes after disasters. "Form follows failure" as horrific events lead to radical...
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A dose of anti-social realism
A minority of students must be prevented from poisoning community relations, says Anne Monaghan "Anne, there are about 200 students outside, gathered in the middle of Palestine Street. "They seem to...
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Give offence with a fine two-finger salute
If the thought police arrive in his neck of the woods, Bob Brecher has a plan As if the consumerisation of university education weren't enough - research assessment exercise, Quality Assurance Agency...
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Breathe deep and shut your eyes
If the stress of marking and red tape is getting too much, take a break, think logically and remember that no one is holding a gun to your head, says Harriet Swain Aaagh, it's a new term. Rainforests...
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My worst nightmare
In the decade that brought us Educating Rita, the college where I worked introduced a certificate for mature students, most of whom turned out to be housewives. Mindful of the need to encourage...
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Strengthen chemical bonds
Should we encourage students to study chemistry and, if so, how? Chemistry: The Next Generation is a project promoting chemistry to school and college students who are underrepresented in higher...
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Department audit
Christopher Rowe is head of the department of classics and ancient history, Durham University. * Total number of academic staff: 16 * Number of permanent academic staff: 13 * Number of academic staff...
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Who's in who's out?
Sunderland "The trees haven't changed but all the people are dead," said Sheila Graber, on her return to Sunderland University late in 2004. As senior research and teaching fellow in animation, she...
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Open your post or fall foul of new Act
Academics face a major culture shock as the Freedom of Information Act starts to make an impact in the workplace. Mail to academics and administrators will have to be opened centrally by their...
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Nationwide push to expand economic horizons
Economics departments are looking to swell their ranks, with Sheffield University, Nottingham University and Queen Mary, University of London, all advertising in this week's Times Higher . Sheffield...
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Laurie Taylor Column
Ring in the new A selection of new year messages from some of the movers and shakers in higher education The Vice-Chancellor of Poppleton University "There is every sign that 2005 will be another...