Insecure academic contracts ‘major source of stress’ Canadian study finds that short-term contracts are ‘discouraging and demoralising’ By Ellie Bothwell 3 September
‘Hype’ warning after universities take cryptocurrency cash Controversial companies are pouring millions into academic research – including on how the industry should be regulated By David Matthews 30 August
Virtual assistant Alexa moves into US student residences Saint Louis University is latest institution to embrace Amazon-powered technology By Lindsay McKenzie for Inside Higher Ed 29 August
Prestigious US universities worse at teaching, major study finds Findings based on observation of 587 courses at nine institutions By Anna McKie 29 August
Ethnography: a view from the inside Reporter Matthew Reisz considers the legitimate concerns – and the sheer sexism – that often greet research among stigmatised groups By Matthew Reisz 28 August
Doing harm to data won’t get a reaction, but it will have impact Scientists wouldn’t cause unnecessary suffering to humans or animals, so why are they so careless with numbers, asks biostatistician By John Ross 25 August
Why should ethnic minority students care about Shakespeare? US academics consider how the Bard can be taught to students who may feel he has nothing to offer them By Matthew Reisz 24 August
No laughing matter? Classroom humour treads a fine line Funny jokes improve class cohesion and dud gags do no harm, study finds – but offensive quips can alienate learners By John Ross 24 August
More international students in Canada wanting residency Survey of more than 14,000 international students studying in the country confirms post-study work as major driver for choosing Canada By Simon Baker 22 August
Protesters topple Confederate statue on North Carolina campus Tearing down of Silent Sam reignites debate about future of Civil War commemorations By Chris Havergal 22 August
Journal with two-year publication backlog refuses submissions Review of Higher Education says it cannot cope with significant increase in number of articles offered By Colleen Flaherty for Inside Higher Ed 20 August
Tech giants lagging on publishing record Analysis concludes universities are ‘moving towards a nearly exclusive monopoly’ over research articles By David Matthews 17 August
