Top universities in Australia and the UK will work more closely together following the passing of a historic trade agreement. In a joint letter, Australia’s Group of Eight (G08) coalition and the UK’s Russell Group announced a new committee aimed ...
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‘A paradigm shift’ needed to curb online drop-outs: podcast
As thousands of university students make their return to campus, many will choose to remain online, making them twice as likely to drop out than face-to-face learners. High rates of dropouts are costing universities millions per year, and the numbers ...
More »Thoughts on the 110th anniversary of Alfred Wegener’s ‘continental drift’ hypothesis – opinion
On 6 January 1912 the German scientist Alfred Wegener (1 November 1880 – November 1930) first proposed his ‘continental drift’ theory (now also known as ‘plate tectonics’) at the annual meeting of the German Geological Society in Frankfurt. A few ...
More »The rise and rise of private higher education providers – opinion
Over two decades ago a new breed of private provider began to emerge in the highereducation sector. These were profit-driven, competitive and internationally ambitious organisations aimed at the market segment of potential students most unlikely or unable to attend full-time ...
More »Are universities beacons of hope, optimism or innovation? Opinion
The start of year three of a global pandemic, with a new variant and all of its ramifications, is heightening concern among our leaders, staff, students and partners in universities. It is highlighting how feelings differ from earlier years. It is ...
More »The value of humility in education – opinion
If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us as a society, it is to be humble. Despite our collective wealth, advanced scientific knowledge and unprecedented technological capacities, we have been struck and wounded globally by a tricky virus. The ...
More »The brain, multimovement therapy, neuroscience, pedagogy and education: part 4
The following covers the treatment, using Multimovement Therapy (MMT), of former world champion boxer John Famechon who had an acquired brain injury from a serious motor vehicle accident in 1991. A number of significant contributors to John’s recovery included the ...
More »The link between student evaluations and teachers’ mental health: podcast
Academics may experience a loss of enjoyment, depression and panic attacks when the cycle of teaching evaluations occur, mental health researchers have found. A recent study from Southern Cross University found that students are using anonymous surveys to target academics ...
More »‘This was a very difficult decision’: ARC experts resign in protest of political meddling
Calls to secure the independence of the Australian Research Council (ARC) has sparked a fierce debate around academic freedom and government interference in independent research. In late December, acting minister for education and youth Stuart Robert vetoed six humanities research ...
More »Bridging the ‘valley of death’: Positive response to research commercialisation fund
Prime Minister Scott Morrison's announcement yesterday of a $2bn research commercialisation fund has been met with widespread positivity by the higher education sector and business groups. Announced during his National Press Club Address, the plan's centrepiece is a $1.6bn fund ...
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