51³Ô¹Ï

Ron Dearing left school at 16, but his unstinting devotion to higher education's highest aims have left the UK sector a better place

The increasing use of English in higher education across Europe could cost the UK a vital competitive advantage

RAE 2008 has proved that UK universities are dominant on the world stage, but the proportion of staff submitted is still an issue

Gender and ethnicity are subject to constant scrutiny, but middle and upper-class dominance of academia must be challenged

As in the US, UK academe can offer much to the Government. But both sides must first overcome their mutual mistrust

Choosing the 18 from the shortlisted entries has been extremely difficult and they can rightly be proud of their success: each represents excellence in their field and we congratulate them all.

It is four years since we launched the 51³Ô¹Ï Awards. Each year, the response has both surprised us and surpassed our expectations; this year is no exception.

The SNP wants applied research to drive the Scottish economy. Can universities deliver without more money or a loss of quality?

Despite some progress, this year's Green League reveals that universities are still failing to deliver a lead on sustainability

Social engineers seem to infest universities but are curiously absent in public schools. How strange

Cardinal O'Brien's intemperate broadside against embryology research buries an opportunity for discussion in invective