Harvard University is under siege by the Trump administration – and the world is watching. But this case isn’t just an American issue. It’s part of a global trend: universities cast as enemies and institutions in need of reform. Populist, right-wing governments are blaming universities for tearing at the fabric of nations. These attacks are part of a broader strategy […] … learn more→

What do Americans think of when they hear the words “general education”? By definition, general education covers introductory college courses in arts and humanities, social sciences, and science and mathematics. It has different names, including core curriculum or distribution requirements, depending on the college or university. It is also sometimes called liberal education, including by […] … learn more→

Did you know that during the two and a half months of school vacation, students can forget up to 30% of what they’ve learned in the course? This phenomenon, known as “summer loss,” particularly affects content that isn’t reviewed or applied in everyday life. And while vacation is a necessary period of rest and relaxation, […] … learn more→

Programs to help students discern their vocation or calling are gaining prominence in higher education. According to a 2019 Bates/Gallup poll, 80% of college graduates want a sense of purpose from their work. In addition, a 2023 survey found that 50% of Generation Z and millennial employees in the U.K. and U.S. have resigned from a job because the […] … learn more→

Title of course: Art and Generative AI What prompted the idea for the course? I see many students viewing artificial intelligence as humanlike simply because it can write essays, do complex math or answer questions. AI can mimic human behavior but lacks meaningful engagement with the world. This disconnect inspired the course and was shaped […] … learn more→

If they want to adapt to the accelerating pace of global and technological change, universities around the world would benefit from reinventing themselves. What assets do they have to assert themselves as “laboratories of transition” in the face of current challenges? Today we are facing what Edgar Morin called a “polycrisis.” Global challenges of all kinds are […] … learn more→

Grade inflation happens when teachers knowingly give a student a mark higher than deserved. It can also happen indirectly, when the level of difficulty of a course is deliberately lowered so students achieve higher grades. The practice threatens to undermine the quality of a university degree and the prestige of higher education. Is it happening in Australia and […] … learn more→

On Tuesday, some Australian university students got access to a new payment. The Commonwealth Prac Payment is available to eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students. It will provide A$331.65 a week during compulsory professional placements, to help with living and study expenses. This could include travel, accommodation, uniforms and lost income from other employment. But […] … learn more→

A true intellectual journey, the doctorate can also, due to the precariousness it entails, become a veritable daily obstacle course, lastingly weakening young researchers both psychologically and economically. A look back at the lessons learned from a survey of 15 career paths in the humanities and social sciences. With Le Vacataire , published in 2025, economist Thomas […] … learn more→

Colleges and universities are struggling to stay afloat. The reasons are numerous: declining numbers of college-age students in much of the country, rising tuition at public institutions as state funding shrinks, and a growing skepticism about the value of a college degree. Pressure is mounting to cut costs by reducing the time it takes to earn a degree from four years […] … learn more→