Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · 6d

Want to know how to beat #procrastination and boost #motivation? We speak to experts in motivation science and educational psychology - pick up practical tips from Ian Taylor of @lborouniversity.bsky.social and Helena Seli of @usc.edu on our the Campus podcast: ow.ly/ZWGh50X5Ccg #edusky #academicsky

Campus talks: how to unlock motivation and beat procrastination in your students and yourself

Two academic researchers and lecturers discuss the many factors that boost short- and long-term motivation and how to get yourself started when procrastination threatens

ow.ly

1 1

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · 13d

We all want to know the secrets of #motivation - in #highered this means motivating large, diverse classes throughout weeks, months, even years of study. Get advice from faculty all over the world on how to #motivate your students, your colleagues and, of course, yourself: ow.ly/8bma50X24bN #edusky

1 1

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · 19d

Academics in #Gaza reflect on how a virtual fellowship scheme with the @bristoluni.bsky.social has offered "a lifeline for researchers, fighting to keep our voices heard despite the #war and the destruction of our academic institutions" and explain how it works: ow.ly/yfsl50WZisX #academicsky

Virtual fellowships as ‘material solidarity’ against scholasticide

Gaza virtual research fellows and UK-based scholars share reflections, alongside a practical overview of the design, development and early implementation of a virtual fellowship

ow.ly

1 2 3

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · 22d

As a new #academic year rolls in, check out our survival guide for working in #highereducation today - find advice on coping with job precarity, spiralling workloads and repeated rejection in pursuit of academic and personal fulfilment: ow.ly/ZKLm50WXr6E #highered #academicsky #research #careertips

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Aug 14

What is next for #EDI in #highered? Our latest spotlight explores how to advance equality of opportunity amid attacks on #equity, #diversity and #inclusion – most notably under #Trump in the US. Find advice on #DEI practices that bring people together, rather than polarise: ow.ly/xt1L50WFUmI #edusky

1

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Aug 12

'While some opposition [to #DEI] stems from coordinated political rhetoric, research shows it also arises from something more personal and human: identity threat.' Camellia Bryan and Brent Lyons explain how to humanise #EDI by allowing space to reflect on this threat: ow.ly/Pm3k50WEn5B #edusky

How universities can move from DEI backlash to breakthrough

Identity threat – when individuals or groups feel devalued – can undermine equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. But if universities reframe this conflict, it can result in growth and new persp...

ow.ly

3

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Aug 7

"Today’s #EDI work must open space for those historically excluded without inadvertently closing it to others who seek to understand or support such efforts." Bruce Watson on why institutions must focus on transformation rather than compliance. ow.ly/25a250WBesl #highered #diversity #DEI #edusky

For EDI efforts to be sustainable, universities must evolve their language and practice

A transactional model can position higher education institutions as performing equity, diversity and inclusion rather than living it, writes Bruce Watson. But that version of EDI will not serve us in ...

ow.ly

2 5

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Aug 7

#Criticalthinking is the focus of this week's podcast. I speak to expert in decision making, Olivier Sibony, and educator @drtonywagner.bsky.social to find out if this much lauded skillset really is the solution to current challenges, from #AI to #polarisation: ow.ly/nIig50WB94V #edusky #highered

Campus talks: are we facing a crisis in critical thinking in higher education?

Two academic experts in strategic decision-making and education discuss critical thinking, why it is under threat and what role it plays in preparing students for their digitally curated futures

ow.ly

1 1

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jul 31

The attacks on #DEI, institutional autonomy and #academicfreedom are not going away, writes Delta College president @michaelhgavin.bsky.social. He calls on US #highered to stand firm, examine legal obligations closely and work in coalition for the benefit of all students: ow.ly/Erlf50WxRYW #Trump

‘There is no workaround to this moment – we are all targets’

The attacks on DEI and academic freedom show higher education needs to come together, build collaborations and stand firm. Here’s how

ow.ly

5 9

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jul 31

In a world of #AI generated "facts" and digitally curated information tailored for the individual, how can #highered support the development of #criticalthinking skills? Our latest spotlight guide draws on advice from academics all over the world to answer this question: ow.ly/gVAN50WxRRn #edusky

3 5

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jul 17

It's easy to vilify #socialmedia over 'doom-scrolling', #misinformation and other less edifying effects. But social platforms like #TikTok offer valuable lessons in how to engage students, build online communities and more, as our latest spotlight guide explains: ow.ly/zpwo50Wr3KY #edusky #highered

2 1

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jul 16

With students bombarded by algorithm manipulated narratives, teaching #medialiteracy isn’t something lecturers should do, it’s something they must do. Advice from @virginiatech.bsky.social's Cayce Myers for a #misinformation age: ow.ly/hSIx50WqsVj #socialmedia #fakenews #edusky #deepfakes #highered

Fighting falsehoods at the speed of the scroll

With students subjected to a steady stream of memes and manipulated narratives, teaching media literacy isn’t something university educators should do; it’s something they must. Cayce Myers offers adv...

www.timeshighereducation.com

1 1 4

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jul 15

Are you struggling with your #PhD? We've got you covered. Our guide to surviving your #doctoral #thesis pulls together advice from academics all over the world with tips on #motivation, #writing, finding support and preparing for the #viva: ow.ly/bglf50WpKPE #PhDsky #academicsky #edusky #highered

4 6

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jul 10

On this week's podcast: @lyndamk.bsky.social on the efforts of US librarians to protect public govt #data from sudden erasure by the #Trump administration. Plus, @worcesteruni.bsky.social v-c David Green on a pioneering joint university-public #library: ow.ly/SLZ150WnvBs #datarescue #libraries

THE podcast: university libraries – and librarians – that are leading the change

Learn about the efforts of US librarians to protect valuable public data from sudden erasure by the Trump administration and a pioneering project which saw a UK university partner with a local council...

www.timeshighereducation.com

3 8

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jul 4

With American universities under threat from a hostile government, where will liberal arts education thrive? Abderrahim Agnaou asks the question: is the Global South now better positioned to lead #liberalarts into the future? ow.ly/8wUs50WkZYG #highered #edusky #Trump #culturewars #academicsky

The future of liberal arts may belong to the Global South

With American universities under threat from a hostile government, where will liberal arts education thrive? Perhaps it’s time for a reimagining

ow.ly

4 5

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jul 4

"Next year, I’m going back to closed-computer, hand-written summaries and in-person essay-based exams. It is less efficient. My students may not thank me. I’m OK with both." @drkorica.bsky.social of @ieseg.fr explains why she banning #AI in class: ow.ly/qbXe50WkTLj #edusky #academicsky #teaching

‘As a teacher of responsible business, I’m banning GenAI in my classroom’

We need our students to develop intellectual curiosity, to respect each other enough to want to hear each other, and become informed, thoughtful citizens, writes Maja Korica. Generative AI is getting ...

ow.ly

1 4 15

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jul 3

This week, we ask how university #libraries can best serve students, researchers and the public in 2025. Experts explore how #library teams can harness digital tools, underpin #AI literacy, support better #teaching and student outcomes and advance #openaccess: ow.ly/fxh450WklzC #edusky #highered

Redefining the university library for 2025 and beyond

University libraries must keep pace with the many changes sweeping across global higher education in order to serve students, researchers and the wider public. In this guide, library teams and academi...

ow.ly

3 4

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jul 1

"Overthinking isn’t noble. It’s exhausting. And #perfectionism isn’t excellence; it’s avoidance with better PR." David Thompson on how to encourage imperfection, messiness and play among students: ow.ly/G5Bo50WiUNP #creativity #creativethinking #edusky #teaching #academicsky

Get yourself unstuck: overthinking is boring and perfectionism is a trap

The work looks flawless, the student seems fine. But underneath, perfectionism is doing damage. David Thompson unpacks what educators can do to help high-performing students navigate the pressure to s...

www.timeshighereducation.com

1 4

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jun 27

"To help students thrive alongside intelligent machines, the curriculum needs to prioritise what machines and #AI cannot do well: be human," writes Lynda Wee and explains how she does this: ow.ly/Jaw150Whjt1 #edusky #teaching #GenAI #education #highered

Machine v human skills: what do we teach now?

Human-centred abilities such as curiosity, adaptability and self-reflection are rising in importance as AI threatens to automate routine tasks. Here are ways educators can prepare students for the wor...

www.timeshighereducation.com

2 3

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jun 26

What does it take to commercialise #research? On our latest podcast, @ox.ac.uk technology transfer expert Mairi Gibbs and biotech spin-out founder @drew-hammond.bsky.social ‪explain the steps involved in moving discoveries from the lab to the market: ow.ly/8XKP50Wgzue #academicsky #edusky #PhDsky

THE podcast: what does it take to successfully commercialise research?

A technology transfer expert and biotech spin-out founder explain the steps involved in moving discoveries from the lab to the market

ow.ly

2 3

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jun 24

Have you completed your #PhD, started your first #teaching or #research fellowship or are you looking towards #tenure? Wherever you are on your #academic career path, this collection of resources will help you prepare for the next step: ow.ly/mf6f50Wfj9G #careeradvice #highered #academicsky #PhDsky

Is your academic career cleared for take off?

Academic career advice to help you reach new heights in higher education, from crafting the perfect CV to navigating teaching and research pathways

ow.ly

3 5

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jun 24

"Scientists often thrive on exploration, #research and solving complicated puzzles, but becoming an #inventor adds another layer of complexity," writes Greta Faccio.
She shares tips for #researchers considering commercialising their work: ow.ly/k3bk50WfiP3 #academicsky #IP #patents #invention

When a scientist becomes an inventor

A novel scientific discovery can catapult a researcher from the bench to being an entrepreneur. Here, Greta Faccio shares considerations for next steps in commercialising an invention

www.timeshighereducation.com

1

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jun 23

Simply dropping the title of #Professor and inviting students to use their lecturer's first name can calm nerves and boost class engagement and participation, researchers at @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social found. Here, they share lessons from their findings: ow.ly/LU2E50WePWV #highered #edusky #teaching

Just call me Alex! Why dropping the ‘professor’ could boost students’ confidence

When students are allowed to address teachers by their first name, it can calm nerves and encourage even the quietest voices to join the conversation

ow.ly

2 7

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jun 20

"Real progress doesn’t look like a eureka moment. It looks like a person showing up again and again, reshaping a paragraph for the fifth or 15th time," writes @catherinedevries.bsky.social on how to keep #writing in the absence of any spark: ow.ly/MiFp50WcJ1I #academicsky #edusky #writingtips

How to write even when the words won’t come

Books, articles and grant proposals do not arrive in a single stroke. They are created, like sculptures, through a thousand small movements. Here, Catherine De Vries explains how to develop ‘skill pow...

ow.ly

8 25

Miranda Prynne @mirandaprynne.bsky.social · Jun 19

If you missed our Campus webinar 'How to embed sustainability into the curriculum', you can watch it now on-demand - hear academics discuss #climate conscious learning, how to build #sustainability into course design and connect it to #employability: ow.ly/Obxx50Wc83w #academicsky #edusky #SDGs

Campus webinar: How to embed sustainability into the curriculum

Hear experts discuss how they engage students in climate-conscious learning, build sustainability into course design and connect it to employability and wider social responsibility

ow.ly

3 4