Opinion

The OfS’ approach is evolving, partly reflecting the fact that a course’s long-term value is not always immediately obvious, says John Blake

A-level results day celebrations belie a vicious spiral of demand for degrees that damages students and society, says Paul Wiltshire 

As a loss-maker, research is under pressure as fears of insolvency rise. But universities must do all they can to shore up a key element of their impact 

We need a mechanism whereby academics can build a public reputation as referees and receive career benefits for doing so, says Randy Robertson

Rather than lament student attitudes, we should ask if meaningful exchanges of ideas in class are still possible, say Mikael Andéhn and Alan Bradshaw

Labour’s planned decentralisation of power will strengthen universities’ standing and ability to contribute to local prosperity, says Diana Beech

Continued prioritisation is essential to maintain gains in student health and wellness, as well as to feed into elite sport, says Amanda Broderick

The exascale computer’s cancellation underlines the need for a long-term vision that transcends political whim, say Peter Coveney and Roger Highfield

It is heartening to have an education secretary who values universities as a public good, but public goods require public funding, says Jo Grady

Successive governments have a long history of suppressing freedom of speech, thought and association on campus, says C. Rashaad Shabab

Pension scheme members are entitled to ask why so much was lost and why the raw sewage continues to flow into rivers, says Bernard Casey

The OfS needs only to tweak its guidance in light of the considerable free-speech duties by which universities are already bound, says James Murray

The OfS’ stronger than expected registration condition on sexual harassment and misconduct comes not a moment too soon, says Anna Bull 

My role in the National Trust’s slavery report led to so many threats that I couldn’t walk anywhere unaccompanied, says Corinne Fowler

Our experiences on a remote Massachusetts island showed us how liberal arts education could be, say Nathan Badger and Maya Rosen

Museums have enormous amounts of material to study and they are wide open to collaboration with university researchers, says Mark Walport

Bridget Phillpson’s decision to reconsider implementation will only hamper wider recognition of universities as a public good, says Abhishek Saha

Donald Trump’s idea is unnecessary and could denude international students’ native countries of their talents, warns Allan Goodman

Educators need to do more to help students reassess the meaning they attach to labels such as “female engineer”, says Elena Liquete

Providing skills, creating opportunity and training the teachers and nurses the UK needs: modern universities stand ready to deliver, says Rachel Hewitt

Off-campus trips have manifold benefits, especially for poorer students. We mustn’t lose them to technology or cost-cutting, says Robert Phillips