Campus by Times Higher Education

Karen Gravett, an Associate Professor in Higher Education at the University of Surrey, explores the ever-complex concept of belonging in higher education. She discusses how a sense of belonging is crucial for student success and well-being, especially post-pandemic. Gravett highlights the blurred lines between physical and digital spaces in cultivating connections. She also shares insights from her research on the powerful roles of safety, non-belonging, and academic discipline in shaping student experiences, offering valuable strategies for fostering inclusivity in universities.

David Garcia, a public policy expert and former gubernatorial candidate from Arizona, teams up with Michael Sanders, Professor of Public Policy at King’s College London and former Chief Scientist in government. They discuss the vital link between academic research and government, sharing strategies for academics to engage effectively with policymakers. The conversation highlights the importance of building relationships, utilizing unexpected alliances, and simplifying complex ideas for better policy impact. Their insights underscore the need for proactive engagement and collaboration in shaping public discourse.

Lily Kong, the first female president of Singapore Management University, and Manuel Barcia, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bath, discuss the necessity of internationalization in higher education. They highlight how global partnerships enhance research and cultural understanding, improving student opportunities. The conversation addresses challenges like funding disparities and the need for equitable collaborations, especially in tackling global issues such as climate change. Their insights underscore the importance of fostering a globally connected academic community.

Dive into the world of higher education as academics share their insights on tackling mental health challenges faced by both students and staff. They discuss the importance of setting boundaries amidst rising workloads and the impact of the pandemic. Listeners will discover personal strategies for cultivating well-being, such as practicing gratitude and carving out time for outdoor activities. The conversation emphasizes creating supportive environments and the vital role of self-care in navigating academic pressures.

The delivery of quality research is central to the mission of most universities. But there is more to research excellence than headline-grabbing “ground-breaking” discoveries. This podcast episode explores what good research looks like, how it can be supported at an institutional level, and what feeds into a healthy research ecosystem that enables robust studies of all types, at all stages to be carried out and knowledge advanced. We also delve into research security to find out how such scholarly work can be protected from misuse or being weaponised amid ever-changing geopolitical power struggles. You will hear from: Marcus Munafò, who is currently associate pro vice-chancellor for research culture and professor of biological psychology at the University of Bristol, but will, in May, take up the post of deputy vice-chancellor and provost at the University of Bath. He is co-founder of the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) and leads a major project funded by Research England to accelerate the uptake of open research practices across UK higher education sector. Jacqueline Littlewood, director of research security at the University of Alberta in Canada. She took up this role leading the university’s safeguarding research office in 2023 after a 20-year career in government as a policy analyst and adviser, including working with Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. For more advice on this topic, check out our resources offering insight on delivering top quality research, including a spotlight collection on how to demonstrate research excellence.

Susan D. Blum, an anthropology professor at Notre Dame, critiques traditional teaching methods. Catherine Wehlburg, president of Athens State University, focuses on effective assessment practices. Josh Eyler, director at the University of Mississippi, discusses how grades can harm learning. They explore the detrimental effects of 'schoolishness' and the pressures of prestigious institutions on student mental health. The conversation advocates for feedback-based assessment methods, emphasizing authentic learning experiences over mere grades.

Join Gabriele Bammer, a leading voice in interdisciplinary sciences, and Kate Crawford, a pivotal scholar on AI's societal impacts, as they explore the crucial need for breaking down academic silos. They discuss the challenges faced in integrating interdisciplinary methods into education and how collaboration can address complex global issues. Bammer emphasizes effective teamwork and communication, while Crawford highlights the inconsistencies in AI development, advocating for a diverse approach to tackle ethical concerns around technology.

Joining the discussion are Shaolei Ren, an expert in AI's environmental impacts at UC Riverside; José Bowen, co-author of a practical guide on teaching with AI; and Shushma Patel, pro vice-chancellor for AI at De Montfort University. They explore the environmental costs of AI, including its significant water footprint, and argue for a balanced approach to its integration in higher education. The conversation covers strategies for sustainable AI implementation, the need for AI literacy among educators, and the transformative potential of AI for personalized learning experiences.

In this discussion, Paul Ayris, a pioneer in open access at UCL Press, and Philipp Koellinger, a social science genetics expert and CEO of DeSci Labs, tackle the pressing issues in academic publishing. They explore new models aimed at enhancing research visibility and dismantling paywalls. Ayris shares insights about UCL’s groundbreaking open access initiatives, while Koellinger introduces DeSci Publish, a pre-print network revolutionizing research dissemination. Together, they highlight the critical need for transparency, equity, and innovation in scholarly communication.

Citizen science, in which researchers work alongside members of the public to collect or analyse data, brings multiple benefits, extending the capabilities of research teams and aiding public engagement. But there are still sceptics who question its validity as a research model. Find out why concerns are often misplaced and hear some of the ways enthusiastic amateurs have helped advance human knowledge. On the broader question of public impact, hear how universities could provide a framework that supports academics to carry out more community-engaged research, designed to serve the public good. On this episode, we talk to: Chris Lintott, professor of astrophysics at the University of Oxford, presenter on the BBC’s The Sky at Night program, author and co-founder of citizen science platform Zooniverse. He explains how his interest in citizen science was sparked and why he believes it is such an effective model. Neeli Bendapudi, president of Penn State – Pennsylvania State University – discusses a new coalition of university leaders from across the US and Canada who are working with funders, government agencies and others to develop a roadmap for the future community-engaged, public-impact research. For more insight into the global higher education sector, visit Campus.