Governance | Leadership | Research

Universities measure publications, citations, grants and rankings, yet they collect remarkably little information about one of the activities that makes scholarly publishing possible: peer review. Every year, academics devote many hours to reviewing manuscripts, but the scale, distribution and value of this activity remains largely ...

University leaders do not need to be AI experts, but they need an understanding to make informed decisions in an environment that is rapidly changing. This article explores ten areas that every university leader should understand as AI becomes an increasingly important part of higher ...

Workload models are designed to create fairness and transparency, yet they remain one of the most debated aspects of university life. From disciplinary differences to invisible labour and competing views of what constitutes academic work, creating a system that everyone believes is fair may be ...

Many universities are facing financial pressures, which are likely to get worse before they get better. Rising costs and uncertainty around student recruitment are forcing leaders to make difficult decisions. Yet financial sustainability is about more than reducing expenditure. It is about ensuring that resources ...

Academic publishing has become a global industry that shapes careers, funding, rankings and institutional reputation. Yet despite its influence, the sector still relies largely on voluntary self-regulation, reputation and trust. As concerns around paper mills, manipulated peer review, questionable editorial practices and commercial pressures continue ...

Universities are often viewed as highly structured organisations with robust financial systems, detailed reporting and clear accountability. Budgets are scrutinised, audits are routine, and financial dashboards provide regular insights into performance. On the surface, this suggests strong control. Yet many of the most significant costs ...