Education Resources

What makes us human? In major new books, an economist, a philosopher, an evolutionary biologist and two psychologists offer compelling - and very different - answers. Matthew Reisz writes

The diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks articulate the importance of the academy in the 'great game' of international politics. David Matthews investigates

With the best of intentions and the worst of outcomes, anonymous marking discredits lecturers and serves students badly. George MacDonald Ross believes greater trust will lead to fairness for all

A university does not need a charter or even walls - open minds are enough, argue groups whose challenges to convention have been invigorated by recent protest movements. Jack Grove reports

Jeremy Black extols the physical - and psychological - benefits of a country stroll

As high-profile art schools are absorbed by larger institutions, Peter Hill asks if their uniquely fertile environments suffer for being overseen by those whose priorities inevitably lie elsewhere

Advisers, administrators, trusted vice-chancellorial aides and henchmen: Mark Leach considers the rise of the 'policy wonks' and the mixed reception afforded a new force in the higher education hierarchy

That people should be moved out of a former nuclear test site seemed a no-brainer. But spending time with those affected led two researchers to revise their views. David Mould reports

US universities are offering alumni new levels of professional and intellectual support in an effort to build lifelong relationships that pay long-term benefits. Jon Marcus reports

Downton Abbey's true star, argues A.W. Purdue, is the house itself: the ultimate British status symbol

The University of Wales was brought down by validation, its money-making machine. David Matthews asks how that happened, how others might be stopped from putting cash before quality and whether the QAA should be able to impose stricter controls

Government plans for the Higher Education Funding Council for England are ringing alarm bells across the sector. Can it really become a consumer protection body and fund universities without conflicts of interest? And would Hefce's expanding...

Superhero comics gave Stephen Mumford the reading bug at an early age and a passion for the form he retains to this day. Even in the blockbuster era, he says, panels can't be beat...

The egalitarian bent of Dutch society has been reflected in its higher education sector - until now. Jack Grove discovers that government and global forces are spurring some institutions to try to become 'tall poppies'

You're in for a big surprise. From Gothic castles and follies to an airport (and something not too fragrant), university sites across the land are home to some extraordinary places, discovers Matthew Reisz

The internet has revolutionised humanities research. But has the development of ever-more sophisticated online resources freed up scholars to explore new ideas, or made them slaves to the digital machine? Matthew Reisz reports

MIT's Media Lab, long renowned for a 'Wild West' research culture that invents the future, has lost some of its cutting edge. Can a new director restore it to its creative zenith? asks Zoë Corbyn

University chancellors are a mixed bag of rock stars and actors, politicians and entrepreneurs, but are they mere glad-handing figureheads or can they make a genuine difference to the institution over which they preside? Sarah Cunnane finds...

Why has the idea of publicly funded higher education crumbled so quickly in England? James Vernon explores the origins of an academic culture that has internalised market rationalities and traces the concept of education as a personal investment...

From mindless diversions to gripping, critically acclaimed dramas, what is it about box sets of television series that appeals to academics, asks Roger Luckhurst. Obviously, first-hand investigation is required