Leadership and strategy

By Miranda Prynne , 13 April, 2023

Leaders from across the globe working at every level of an institution share how they approach policy, institutional culture, branding and community collaboration

By Eliza.Compton , 2 April, 2026

Lessons from being academic chair of a complex department

Mangoes on a tree
Being a department head takes both emotional and cognitive energy to juggle people, programmes, contracts and institutional demands. But digging into skills such as trust-building and communication will bear fruit, writes Ben K. Daniel
Reading time
4minutes
By Laura.Duckett , 20 March, 2026

Lifelong engagement is the lifeblood of the academy

An academic working in a library
Universities should move beyond symbolic emeritus titles to create structured pathways for meaningful post-retirement contribution, say Theresa Mercer and Jim Harris
Reading time
4minutes
By Sreethu.Sajeev , 17 March, 2026

Transforming higher education in South-east Asia

British Council
Leveraging the momentum of the ongoing harmonisation of higher education in South-east Asia, UK universities should strengthen efforts to forge long-term collaboration across the bloc
By Eliza.Compton , 14 March, 2026

Segmenting academic audiences for effective internal communication

Different size speech bubbles
The diversity of university academics and the complexity of their roles make effective internal communication difficult. Here, David Brown and Katie Trachtenberg explore ways in which communications professionals can segment messaging to reach different audiences
By Laura.Duckett , 9 March, 2026

Why process mapping matters in higher education

An unseen laptop user with a flow-chart visualisation superimposed
A technique to help universities improve collaboration, reduce inefficiencies and build shared understanding across teams to support more effective working – and a framework for successful implementation
Reading time
5minutes
By Laura.Duckett , 23 February, 2026

When should universities speak up – or shut up?

Blurred protestors carrying signs
A principled default of reticence, paired with clear criteria for instances when speaking out, is essential and offers a credible and sustainable path for universities, says Steven G. Poskanzer
By Eliza.Compton , 29 January, 2026

A lean approach to university technology transfer

Colleagues looking at sticky notes on glass wall
Universities can leverage selective outsourcing to build a lean, adaptive technology transfer office that enhances collaboration and responds to external funding cycles
Reading time
4minutes
By miranda.prynne , 12 January, 2026

Should I become a university administrator?

Spotlight: Should I become a university administrator
If you are considering a career move into university management, gather insights from this collection on what promotion from faculty to higher education administration entails
By Eliza.Compton , 19 November, 2025

Why university leaders must listen differently in one-to-ones

Young female manager in a meeting
Talk less and listen more should be a mantra for leaders and managers. When they acknowledge diverse perspectives, avoid dominating discussions and reflect what they have heard, it sets the tone for more inclusive, respectful dialogue
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton , 9 October, 2025

Investing in futures: maximising legacy gifts in higher education

Buinessmen passing a gold baton
Legacy giving provides a valuable and sustainable source of income for charities but it’s still relatively untapped in the higher education sector. With universities and students under increasing financial pressure, now is a good time to make it a priority. Here’s how to get started
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton , 30 September, 2025

Conversations that drive grassroots innovation in higher education

Businesswomen in conversation
When university resources are limited, innovation doesn’t always begin with boardroom decisions or major funding. Sometimes it starts with one conversation and a willingness to act on it. Here’s how university staff can drive change through grassroots leadership initiatives
Reading time
4minutes
By Laura.Duckett , 22 September, 2025

A free speech checklist for universities

A man with tape on his mouth
Practical examples of how universities can promote free speech on campus from Dennis Hayes, the director of Academics for Academic Freedom
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton , 29 August, 2025

Taking pedagogy to the provost’s office

Steps from teaching to leadership
The skills that make effective teachers – adaptability, empathy, presence and reflection – also shape impactful university leaders. Here, Bill Owen shares leadership lessons he learned in the classroom
Reading time
5minutes
By Eliza.Compton , 18 July, 2025

How to create a win-win university-industry partnership

Man in hard hat shaking hands
To reap the benefits of industry-academia collaborations, researchers and higher education institutions need to be clear about goals from the outset, understand each party’s differences and communicate
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton , 20 June, 2025

How not to fall victim to a cyberattack

Cybersecurity, hacker concept
Where is your university vulnerable to ransomware or access via a third-party provider? Here are ways to reduce risk and maintain security across your IT network
By Eliza.Compton , 13 June, 2025

Cut through the noise with impactful internal communications

Blocks showing two-way communication
Internal messaging needs to reach the right people and inspire action – whether that’s getting responses to a staff survey or changing recycling behaviour. Here, Kelly Hibbs explores practical strategies to build trust and clarity
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton , 7 May, 2025

A survival guide for academic department leaders

Staff meeting
Administrators walk a line between support for faculty and accountability for performance, writes Saleem H. Ali. Here, he offers six tips for building good governance and legacy
Reading time
5minutes
By Laura.Duckett , 14 March, 2025

Become a better mentor by asking yourself these questions

A mentor having a meeting with her mentee
Our mentees face a far more complex educational, social and geopolitical landscape than we did, and we must practise humility in the face of that reality, writes Maria LaMonaca Wisdom. In this piece, she explores how self-reflection enhances effective mentorship.
Reading time
5minutes
By Laura.Duckett , 6 March, 2025

Make your annual report sing

Close up of a microphone
An annual report is a useful tool for promoting your institution’s work. Here’s how to coordinate its publication and get it seen
By Eliza.Compton , 27 February, 2025

The wintering of universities

Frosty footprints in grass
The fallow moments of retreat are necessary to bring about spring. For universities, we must use this winter to think about what it is we do, writes Katie Normington
Reading time
4minutes
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Leadership and strategy
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