Chris Havergal
@chrishavergal.bsky.social
Editor, @timeshighered.bsky.social
“Bizarre” linguistics paper claiming ancient Greeks forbade reference to water as “H₂O” retracted by Springer Nature journal amid disbelief “rambling” and “methodologically weak” article was ever published www.timeshighereducation.com/news/bizarre... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
‘Bizarre’ linguistics paper on water retracted by Springer Nature
Jordanian professor’s free-wheeling study is pulled and an editorial board member sacked after linguists criticised ‘extremely strange’ article
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:02 AM
“Bizarre” linguistics paper claiming ancient Greeks forbade reference to water as “H₂O” retracted by Springer Nature journal amid disbelief “rambling” and “methodologically weak” article was ever published www.timeshighereducation.com/news/bizarre... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
Until last year I didn't even know that the UK was home to a Gaelic-language higher education institution. Love this piece from @patrickjack.bsky.social on @sabhalmorostaig.bsky.social's quest for greater independence www.timeshighereducation.com/news/remote-...
Remote Gaelic language specialist faces ‘critical’ period
Encouraged by surge in interest in learning Gaelic, Skye’s Sabhal Mòr Ostaig looks to branch out on its own despite pressures on language courses and specialist providers
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Until last year I didn't even know that the UK was home to a Gaelic-language higher education institution. Love this piece from @patrickjack.bsky.social on @sabhalmorostaig.bsky.social's quest for greater independence www.timeshighereducation.com/news/remote-...
Universities can award bigger pay rises, or try to save more jobs - but not both, new @ucea.bsky.social chair Nishan Canagarajah tells @julietterowsell.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/we-can-...
‘We can either save jobs or award pay rises – but not both’
New Ucea chair warns ‘much is at stake’ if unions and employers don’t collaborate to tackle ‘negative’ sector image, as he promises action on the ‘employee experience’
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Universities can award bigger pay rises, or try to save more jobs - but not both, new @ucea.bsky.social chair Nishan Canagarajah tells @julietterowsell.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/we-can-...
Reposted by Chris Havergal
30,000 roles across three years. This should be big national news about one of our historically most successful sectors. And yet.
Ninety UK universities to have posted accounts so far cut 13,300 jobs last year, spending £303 million on severance pay - sector-wide total clearly going to be well in excess of predicted 10,000. Great reporting by @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/pay-spe...
Pay-off spend up by two-thirds as universities shed 13,000 jobs
Analysis of UK sector accounts shows number of job losses well above predictions, with experts warning cuts are not over yet
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:50 AM
30,000 roles across three years. This should be big national news about one of our historically most successful sectors. And yet.
"Iran’s universities are no longer merely places of learning. Under blackout and bloodshed, they have become arenas where a generation is seeking to determine what kind of country it will live in," writes Roohola Ramazani www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/iran...
Iran’s students are pushing for revolution
Students may not have started the current uprising but they are seizing what might be a last chance to remake the country, says Roohola Ramazani
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:04 PM
"Iran’s universities are no longer merely places of learning. Under blackout and bloodshed, they have become arenas where a generation is seeking to determine what kind of country it will live in," writes Roohola Ramazani www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/iran...
English universities are still awarding around 40 per cent more first-class degrees that might be expected, according to the sector regulator - but some academics aren't convinced www.timeshighereducation.com/news/rise-fi... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Rise in firsts at some English providers ‘unexplained’, warns OfS
Regulator says proportion of top marks awarded by institutions still way above what might be expected
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:16 PM
English universities are still awarding around 40 per cent more first-class degrees that might be expected, according to the sector regulator - but some academics aren't convinced www.timeshighereducation.com/news/rise-fi... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Over two-thirds of European universities say PhD students are using AI in their research, finds @eua.eu, with leaders perceiving 'more opportunity than challenges' in trend www.timeshighereducation.com/news/two-thi... #cdeWS2026
Two-thirds of universities report AI use among doctoral students
Quarter of institutions admit they don’t know if PhD candidates are working with AI, while only a small proportion say they are coming up with guidelines on its use
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Over two-thirds of European universities say PhD students are using AI in their research, finds @eua.eu, with leaders perceiving 'more opportunity than challenges' in trend www.timeshighereducation.com/news/two-thi... #cdeWS2026
Rector of University of St Andrews accuses institution of flouting “serious legal concerns” after she was removed from governing body for second time in two years www.timeshighereducation.com/news/st-andr... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
St Andrews rector denies ‘power play’ after second court removal
Stella Maris axed from Scottish university governing body again over claims she failed to follow governance rules
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Rector of University of St Andrews accuses institution of flouting “serious legal concerns” after she was removed from governing body for second time in two years www.timeshighereducation.com/news/st-andr... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Havergal
This ought to be a huge national news story. But the quiet dismantling of a key sector barely registers outside HE. Maybe someone will care when the local economies that Unis sustain start to go bust too. Important story from @patrickjack.bsky.social & @timeshighered.bsky.social
Ninety UK universities to have posted accounts so far cut 13,300 jobs last year, spending £303 million on severance pay - sector-wide total clearly going to be well in excess of predicted 10,000. Great reporting by @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/pay-spe...
Pay-off spend up by two-thirds as universities shed 13,000 jobs
Analysis of UK sector accounts shows number of job losses well above predictions, with experts warning cuts are not over yet
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:10 AM
This ought to be a huge national news story. But the quiet dismantling of a key sector barely registers outside HE. Maybe someone will care when the local economies that Unis sustain start to go bust too. Important story from @patrickjack.bsky.social & @timeshighered.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Havergal
A couple hundred jobs go in a factory and there’s journalistic and parliamentary outcry. Thousands of staff cuts across UK HE every year for a few years - a ‘lucrative export services industry’ - barely gets a mention outside the sector.
Ninety UK universities to have posted accounts so far cut 13,300 jobs last year, spending £303 million on severance pay - sector-wide total clearly going to be well in excess of predicted 10,000. Great reporting by @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/pay-spe...
Pay-off spend up by two-thirds as universities shed 13,000 jobs
Analysis of UK sector accounts shows number of job losses well above predictions, with experts warning cuts are not over yet
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:02 AM
A couple hundred jobs go in a factory and there’s journalistic and parliamentary outcry. Thousands of staff cuts across UK HE every year for a few years - a ‘lucrative export services industry’ - barely gets a mention outside the sector.
Ninety UK universities to have posted accounts so far cut 13,300 jobs last year, spending £303 million on severance pay - sector-wide total clearly going to be well in excess of predicted 10,000. Great reporting by @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/pay-spe...
Pay-off spend up by two-thirds as universities shed 13,000 jobs
Analysis of UK sector accounts shows number of job losses well above predictions, with experts warning cuts are not over yet
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Ninety UK universities to have posted accounts so far cut 13,300 jobs last year, spending £303 million on severance pay - sector-wide total clearly going to be well in excess of predicted 10,000. Great reporting by @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/pay-spe...
More than a third of students believe representatives of Reform UK should be banned from speaking at universities, finds @hepi-news.bsky.social, despite the majority agreeing HE institutions should promote free speech www.timeshighereducation.com/news/third-s... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:47 AM
More than a third of students believe representatives of Reform UK should be banned from speaking at universities, finds @hepi-news.bsky.social, despite the majority agreeing HE institutions should promote free speech www.timeshighereducation.com/news/third-s... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Universities will be made to take action on zero-hours contracts and pay gaps after the Scottish government extended its “fair work” policies to cover the sector www.timeshighereducation.com/news/improve... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Improve working conditions to get SFC funding, universities told
Scottish institutions made to address workplace inequalities and zero-hours contracts as condition of receiving grants
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Universities will be made to take action on zero-hours contracts and pay gaps after the Scottish government extended its “fair work” policies to cover the sector www.timeshighereducation.com/news/improve... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Over 100 academic jobs set to be axed at London Met - union calls it an 'act of institutional vandalism' www.timeshighereducation.com/news/union-b... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Union brands London Met cuts an ‘act of institutional vandalism’
University’s plan to cut more than 100 academic roles puts it reputation for inclusive education at risk, fears UCU
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Over 100 academic jobs set to be axed at London Met - union calls it an 'act of institutional vandalism' www.timeshighereducation.com/news/union-b... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
OfS' director for freedom of speech pressing vice-chancellors over Chinese students on government scholarships and Confucius Institutes www.timeshighereducation.com/news/vice-ch... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Vice-chancellors under pressure from OfS to cut China ties
Leaders face grilling from free speech director amid concerns about Chinese government-backed scholarships
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:10 AM
OfS' director for freedom of speech pressing vice-chancellors over Chinese students on government scholarships and Confucius Institutes www.timeshighereducation.com/news/vice-ch... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
China introduces standardised admissions exam for international students www.timeshighereducation.com/news/china-a... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social
China aims for ‘quality’ overseas students with admissions exam
Experts say introduction of compulsory test for all undergraduate courses shows country’s shifting approach to internationalisation
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:05 AM
China introduces standardised admissions exam for international students www.timeshighereducation.com/news/china-a... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social
Scottish budget promises extra £55 million for universities but principals say it will have 'little impact' after years of underfunding www.timeshighereducation.com/news/scottis... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Scottish budget promises £55 million extra for universities
SNP announces ‘real terms’ funding uplift pre-election but universities say extra money not enough to combat financial challenges
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Scottish budget promises extra £55 million for universities but principals say it will have 'little impact' after years of underfunding www.timeshighereducation.com/news/scottis... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Parents @forthe100.bsky.social whose children died by suicide at university are taking fight back to Westminster, claiming more students are dying because of politicians’ refusal to impose “duty of care” on institutions www.timeshighereducation.com/news/how-man... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Parents @forthe100.bsky.social whose children died by suicide at university are taking fight back to Westminster, claiming more students are dying because of politicians’ refusal to impose “duty of care” on institutions www.timeshighereducation.com/news/how-man... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Lengthy delays faced by international researchers seeking security clearance to work in UK highlighted by @wendychambld.bsky.social after Syrian academic stopped from seeing dying father by bureaucratic hold-ups www.timeshighereducation.com/news/serious... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
‘Serious failings’ in UK security checks on researchers
Syrian scholar stopped from seeing dying father among those affected by long waits for clearance, says MP Wendy Chamberlain
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Lengthy delays faced by international researchers seeking security clearance to work in UK highlighted by @wendychambld.bsky.social after Syrian academic stopped from seeing dying father by bureaucratic hold-ups www.timeshighereducation.com/news/serious... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Havergal
Today I'll be hosting a Westminster Hall debate on the ATAS Scheme after being contacted by a constituent who was stopped from seeing his dying father by bureaucratic hold-ups. The system needs urgent reform to prevent this from happening again.
You can read more about it here: buff.ly/SfeaaC7
You can read more about it here: buff.ly/SfeaaC7
‘Serious failings’ in UK security checks on researchers
Syrian scholar stopped from seeing dying father among those affected by long waits for clearance, says MP Wendy Chamberlain
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Today I'll be hosting a Westminster Hall debate on the ATAS Scheme after being contacted by a constituent who was stopped from seeing his dying father by bureaucratic hold-ups. The system needs urgent reform to prevent this from happening again.
You can read more about it here: buff.ly/SfeaaC7
You can read more about it here: buff.ly/SfeaaC7
“I suspect some would-be [university] presidents are going to sit on the sidelines until after the next election. The current climate favours people…who have track records, who are not out to make a name for themselves.” www.timeshighereducation.com/news/shrinki... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
‘Shrinking talent pool’ for leadership vacancies amid US turmoil
Institutions looking to conclude long-running searches for new presidents likely to favour candidates who can stay out of the limelight, experts predict
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:44 AM
“I suspect some would-be [university] presidents are going to sit on the sidelines until after the next election. The current climate favours people…who have track records, who are not out to make a name for themselves.” www.timeshighereducation.com/news/shrinki... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Unseen efforts to combat academic fraud are intercepting about 1,000 submissions from paper mills every month, publishers say www.timeshighereducation.com/news/unseen-... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
‘Unseen’ efforts to catch paper mill outputs bear fruit
Little-noticed joint efforts by publishers to catch fake papers are delivering results but further ‘scaling’ is needed, says report
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Unseen efforts to combat academic fraud are intercepting about 1,000 submissions from paper mills every month, publishers say www.timeshighereducation.com/news/unseen-... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
An Iranian student has been shot dead during anti-government demonstrations in Tehran, as universities continue to face disruption amid an ever more restrictive regime response to the protests www.timeshighereducation.com/news/iranian... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social
Iranian student among those killed as protests spread
Universities facing ‘ongoing repression’ as regime responds to demonstrations with force
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:13 PM
An Iranian student has been shot dead during anti-government demonstrations in Tehran, as universities continue to face disruption amid an ever more restrictive regime response to the protests www.timeshighereducation.com/news/iranian... via @tashmosheim.bsky.social
Universities should ramp up their contributions to the UK’s defence capabilities and prepare students for work in this field to help protect the country amid attacks on democracy, argues @profserious.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/defence... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Defence work a ‘fundamental responsibility’ of universities
Former security adviser turned vice-chancellor calls out silence on controversial defence research, despite evolving threats to national security
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Universities should ramp up their contributions to the UK’s defence capabilities and prepare students for work in this field to help protect the country amid attacks on democracy, argues @profserious.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/defence... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Glyn Davis is temporarily returning as vice-chancellor at the University of Melbourne following the death of former head Emma Johnston www.timeshighereducation.com/news/melbour...
Melbourne brings back Glyn Davis as interim vice-chancellor
Former leader returns to the role following the death of the university’s first female vice-chancellor, Emma Johnston, from cancer complications
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Glyn Davis is temporarily returning as vice-chancellor at the University of Melbourne following the death of former head Emma Johnston www.timeshighereducation.com/news/melbour...