Higher education news for libraries and librarians

University journals: a semi-systematic literature review of trends, challenges and future research directionsReviewsAuthorsMaryna NazarovetsAbstractUniversity journals (UJs), understood as scholarly journals published by or associated with universities, play an essential role in the dissemination...

The report identifies the urgent challenges facing universities today, as well as proposing solutions based on over 30 written submissions from students’ unions, universities, sector bodies, and individual experts. 

Summary of analysis of randomisation and anonymisation in EPSRC ‘New Horizons’ and NERC ‘Pushing the Frontiers’.

We have issued a statement with the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) and the London Mathematical Society (LMS) highlighting our concerns over academic integrity in university assessments and the issue of work not being the candidates’ own. 

This follows on from statements released on this issue previously. In 2021, we expressed concerns over the move to online assessment for university students. We highlighted these concerns again in 2022, when we and our fellow mathematical science bodies became aware that a number of universities planned to remove, either partially or entirely, on-campus examinations and closed-book assessments. Our 2022 statement stressed that, in the interests of fairness, all learners should be given equal opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge. 

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This report examines the evolution of regional education partnerships in the UK, specifically highlighting the experiences of Newcastle University and the North East of England. It aims to present and promote innovative strategies that enhance collaboration among education providers, businesses, and local governments, ultimately increasing access to skills and training opportunities.

Key Takeaways from the CoARA1–EC–ENRIO-EDI-TUM Conference (Brussels, 2 June 2025) Setting the SceneOn 2 June 2025, stakeholders from across the globe gathered in Brussels and online for the high-level conference Advancing Responsible Research A

Findings from the University Enterprise Zones (UEZ) programme, set up in 2016 to facilitate engagement between R&D focused businesses and universities.

Explore the risks and opportunities facing civic universities, and discover strategies to sustain civic capitals in challenging times.

Unite Students’ annual Applicant Index surveys UK university applicants, and compares the findings year-on-year.

Intensive outreach work boosts higher education entry by “up to 29 per cent,” according to a study from the Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT) project – and the biggest gains are for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The study covers cohorts who were 18 at the start of academic years 2019–20 and 2020–21, comparing university entry rates against matched groups of peers who received minimal outreach. “Intensive outreach” is defined as 11 hours of activity, included at least eight of “high intensity” content such as campus visits or mentoring. The report does note that those students willing to participate in outreach activities may have higher levels of motivation.

KPMG and Mills & Reeve’s ‘Radical Collaboration’ report moves the conversation on collaboration in Higher Education forward. The report takes the theoretical and translates to the practical by detailing the many structural possibilities open to higher education providers - using case-studies and examples to illustrate models and their outcomes.

Background This paper is a practice‑informed rapid review that maps the complex ethical challenges arising from the growing use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools across the research life‑cycle. Earlier research primarily focused on academic integrity concerns related to students’ use of GenAI tools; however, limited information is available on the impact of GenAI on academic research. This study aims to examine the ethical concerns arising from the use of GenAI across different phases of research and explores potential strategies to encourage its ethical use for research purposes. Methods We selected one or more GenAI platforms applicable to various research phases (e.g. developing research questions, conducting literature reviews, processing data, and academic writing) and analysed them to identify potential ethical concerns relevant for that stage. Results The analysis revealed several ethical concerns, including a lack of transparency, bias, censorship, fabrication (e.g. hallucinations and false data generation), copyright violations, and privacy issues. These findings underscore the need for cautious and mindful use of GenAI. Conclusions The advancement and use of GenAI are continuously evolving, necessitating an ongoing in-depth evaluation. We propose a set of practical recommendations to support researchers in effectively integrating these tools while adhering to the fundamental principles of ethical research practices.

University groups from the UK, Canada and Switzerland have set out their vision for Framework Programme 10

Updated modelling demonstrates the combined impact of funding deficits and growing costs across teaching and research

Post-16 education and training systems across the UK have been undermined by constant policy churn, fragmented pathways, and a lack of sustained focus from policymakers, according to a report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) and the University of Oxford’s…Read more Comparing inequality and outcomes across post-16 education in the UK ›

Including new analysis from Jisc conducted for the Russell Group, this briefing explains why UK universities engage in international research partnerships and the value they bring to economic growth