UK REF environment statements at unit level ‘should be scrapped’ Narratives describing research in departments should be replaced by institution-level document, recommends funder-backed study By Jack Grove 28 July
National Student Survey changes: satisfaction out, free speech in Overall satisfaction question to go in shake-up of influential poll, regulator confirms By Tom Williams 28 July
Reform ‘wasteful’ research grant process, says UK bureaucracy review More innovative screening of grant applications that avoid full peer review could remove red tape burden on researchers, says Adam Tickell By Jack Grove 28 July
Participation gap remains for poorer pupils, despite steady improvement New figures show record-breaking levels of progression to higher education for pupils on free school meals By Ben Upton 28 July
Most summer school students ‘already want to go to university’ Commonly used widening participation initiative not targeting those who would benefit most from such schemes, study finds By Tom Williams 27 July
Rosa Freedman: REF impact rules ‘unfair on researchers’ Human rights expert claims ‘inaccurate’ impact submission written on her work by old employer highlights why funding rules should change By Jack Grove 27 July
English regulator to push ahead with numerical ‘quality’ measures OfS to introduce new quality condition, including proportion of graduates securing ‘managerial or professional employment’, in October By John Morgan 26 July
Regional universities hit hardest as Danish applications drop 11 per cent ‘Generation lockdown’ wanting a break from the books blamed for steep decrease as high employment rate lures some away from study By Ben Upton 26 July
Paris-Saclay president aims for global profile After predecessor exits to become higher education minister, Estelle Iacona is tasked with completing integration of ambitious, elite amalgam By Ben Upton 26 July
Joël Mesot: having a fruitful dialogue with society ETH Zurich president discusses building public trust in science, supporting apprenticeship schemes and a downside of Einstein’s legacy By Rosa Ellis 26 July
USS posts ‘robust’ accounts but members lose faith over cuts Only 17 per cent of those enrolled in UK’s largest higher education pension scheme reported positive relationship after changes to retirement benefits By Tom Williams 25 July
Can army of new managers help HE tackle big social challenges? Spate of new senior roles created as universities seek answers on addressing sustainability, diversity and social responsibility By Tom Williams 25 July
