UK universities step up efforts to help Afghan scholars Despite immense challenges of getting out of the country, some Afghans have managed to reach UK and continue their studies and academic careers By Matthew Reisz 25 September
The humanities need to place the big issues of the day at their heart Increased digital literacy will also help boost employability and finally end the crisis narrative, says Jo Fox By Jo Fox 25 September
Glasgow apologises for wording of maternity cover job advert Lecturer in modern gender history only required ‘until the substantive postholder returns from maternity leave, or in the event of her resignation’ By Simon Baker 24 September
‘Whorephobia’ blocking research into student sex work – scholar Sociologist Jessica Simpson says research on student erotic dancers was hampered by obstructive universities and students’ unions By Jack Grove 24 September
Russian brain drain eases but emigrants still most highly cited Analysis of author movements also suggests some disciplines have seen major loss of talent over past 25 years By Simon Baker 24 September
LGBT+ students ‘more open’ at university Analysis finds that LGBT+ students are more likely to declare a mental health condition and to research support services before choosing a university By Anna McKie 24 September
Ben Goldacre: after fame, I want to focus on the day job One-time science superstar explains why he is happier not being famous and why the ‘hobbyist’ approach to research tools no longer works By Jack Grove 23 September
Universities ‘overfunded’ relative to other education sectors OECD data suggest UK is among those with biggest skew towards higher education, although student loans may explain some of the impact By Simon Baker 23 September
Add ‘professionally valuable’ skills to humanities degrees – Hepi Report argues that embedding digital and numerical education would improve employability of graduates By Chris Havergal 23 September
Overlooked by politicians, German universities fear for funding Lack of focus on higher education ‘a deficit’ during election campaign, says sector leader By John Morgan 22 September
UCU plans ballots for pre-Christmas strikes over pay and pensions Union members at 152 UK institutions asked to walk out for fourth time in little over three years By Anna McKie 22 September
Alarm raised over failure to confirm ?22 billion research pledge Ministerial response offers ‘no comfort that there is not a plan afoot to abandon that very specific promise’ on science spending, says ex-minister Greg Clark By Jack Grove 21 September