Management and governance

Long-serving leader sentenced after quashing investigation of former USP administrators

Scholar claims selection process that led to appointment of Robert Balfour was slanted against internal candidate Vivienne Lawack

The unprecedented pressure on presidents from donors and pressure groups renders them unable to defend their students, says Harvey Graff

Debate on how far governments should regulate universities without impinging on academic freedom and autonomy

New ‘process’ among proposals to improve quality and transparency of university governance

Australian higher education ‘in a good state’ but drive to widen participation brings challenges, says departing leader

Appointment of ex-Greenwich leader confirmed by crisis-hit institution halfway through interim appointment

Dozens of consultancy bigwigs feature in corporate-heavy council membership, according to union analysis

We must rethink higher education’s intellectual mission in terms that transcend Manichaean critiques of the neoliberal university, says Nicholas Dirks

As overhaul presses staff and students to broaden horizons, president discusses handling faculty pushback, maintaining a vital Samsung partnership and dealing with disgruntled alumni

Perhaps we need, instead, a specific tribunal to investigate and hear the most serious allegations, says Guy Micklewright 

The problem is very real, but it would be more effective to invest in creating an institutional culture of responsibility and accountability, says Jim Nicell 

The prime minister’s role in appointing university leaders under question as Cabinet attempts to change status quo

HKU leader Xiang Zhang wants better protection for staff from ‘malicious’ allegations levelled anonymously

Long-serving leader will not seek fourth term, with handover scheduled for September 2025

David Mba creates fully funded PhD studentships after taking reins at Birmingham City University

Changing term dates leaves staff fearing extra workload pressures and encroachments on research time and summer breaks

At moment of political threat, Tessier-Lavigne replacement brings continued white male lineage with reputation for scientific innovation and listening to diverse voices

Facing second year of faculty no-confidence vote, cardiothoracic surgeon agrees to leave as soon as successor is found

Latest salvo sees Keralan state government challenge national president in the Supreme Court over vice-chancellor appointments

Management teams and boards need a shared overview of the data and technology that underpin key university processes, says Karen O’Brien

New vetting committee for candidates is reminiscent of ‘eastern-bloc style managed democracy’, says Conservative MP

Promoting awareness of the impact words can have on others will create a psychologically safe space where staff, students can thrive, says Melissa Carr

Proposed commission has no shortage of work even if the Universities Accord’s other recommendations fail to materialise

Codifications of how university missions preclude institutional positions would guide expectations and responses, says Paul Gooch

National Education Policy prioritises institutional autonomy but controls remain tight despite attempts to decentralise

No journey in strange new waters can be smooth sailing, but healthy conflicts have a place in innovation and transformation, say David Lloyd and Peter Høj

Universities are not doing enough to police misconduct. We need an independent register from which bullies can be struck off, says Nicholas Rowe

Commission’s move following Percy affair provoking internal controversy, source claims

Institutions must instead provide fora and establish rules for debating issues and their moral implications, says Carolyn Hughes Tuohy

Some of the country’s biggest institutions have suffered bruising defeats of late despite the justice system generally favouring the powerful. What explains this losing streak and will it change anything?

University known for politics, piety and scandal penalised for longstanding pattern of hiding reports of sexual abuses and other community safety concerns

Best way to stop proposed oversight body going rogue is to avoid setting it up in the first place, conference hears

Former Republican senator wins praise for energy, ideas and willingness to engage on contentious issues

Leader of soon-to-be-merged university says mergers have to be the right strategic fit, because financial savings don’t always come straight away

Universities approach finish line with wins from court and accreditor, then get new challenges from lawmakers and ratings agency

Sir Anthony Finkelstein to lead combined university, called City St George’s

The behaviour of some has effectively served to chill the views of others. But this flies in the face of universities’ core role, says Dawn Freshwater

The political maelstrom around US universities’ handling of pro-Palestinian protests reflects a right-wing campaign that is increasingly challenging higher education’s autonomy to determine its missions and run its affairs. Yet the sector appears to have no strategy to hold the line. Paul Basken reports

As a woman concerned by gender inequality, I could be tolerated coming up to the elbows of the men in power, but not to their shoulders, says Pat O’Connor

The interim president of Michigan State University shares her approach to healing the campus community after a deadly shooting and sexual misconduct crises

Ebrahim Adia’s journey through modern universities indicates their power to transform lives, but they face growing financial pressure

When it launches next year, the lifelong learning entitlement could boost both university finances and social mobility, says Zahir Irani

Conservative billionaire-backed bids for university’s Overseers board produces complaints about process and vows to try again next year

It is not easy for university management to push back against large numbers of people, but resisting harassment should be paramount, says Ian Pace

Allowing a thousand flowers to bloom is no longer practical for universities aspiring to be better known for their research, says Robert Brown

‘Heightened’ crackdown on academic freedom expected as party committees merge with presidents’ offices on leading campuses

It might sound ‘wishy-washy’ but joyfulness can succeed where KPIs fail in supporting the institutional mission, new book argues

Interviews with council members suggest ‘business realists’ dominate and chairs are ‘too matey with senior management’, says CDBU report

British-born leader leaves with immediate effect after less than four years at the helm

Some narcissistic v-cs have lost sight of their real job – to be the custodian of their university’s heritage and to safeguard its future, says Kieran Walshe

Despite some calls to replace Claudine Gay with another black woman, tradition and mercy might force persistence of white male leadership

Relying on search firms and ignoring faculty input is one big reason why incumbencies are shortening and success is becoming rarer, says Harvey Graff

Questions over whether King Charles’ doctor holds certain institutional roles increase need for more formalised way of handing out honorary titles, critics say

Experienced leader says new structure, imposed despite significant opposition, makes it an ‘opportune moment’ to go

With Claudine Gay accepting debatable instances of plagiarism as final straw, faculty see odds getting hopeless for countering unified political and economic power

Codes’ vague, narrow and toothless provisions are failing to promote the safety and well-being of all university community members, says Richard Joseph

There is no single or ‘correct’ way to rank universities – and that’s a very good thing, writes Phil Baty

Premier institution loses first black leader after record short tenure amid persistent partisan pressure and evidence of her own scholarly failings

Chungbuk National University head says simply ‘selling degrees’ is not in the interest of students or the sector