Jim Woodgett

Man standing in boxer shorts on stage illustrating feature article about worst university teaching moments

My worst teaching moment – and what it taught me

All academics have had that anxiety dream about standing up to give a lecture, only to realise they have forgotten to prepare anything – or to put on any clothes. But real teaching failures are rarely so disastrous – and many are teachable moments. Seven academics tell us their hard-earned lessons

By Emma Rees

3 March

Hindsight’s hoard: What academics most wish they had known earlier

The acquisition of wisdom about life and career can be just as long and challenging a journey as any research project. Luckily, many wheels have already been invented. Here, seven academics offer the pieces of advice that could have given them a head start

By Kate Cantrell

12 November

celebrity on red carpet, crowd behind barriers looking excited at seeing her.

Let’s break the cliquey conference circuit

Physical events are not going away but they must open up and embrace the best of the digital world, says Jim Woodgett

By Jim Woodgett

23 July

The best research strategy is to trim the strategy

Canada’s excess of directive funding programmes risks hobbling scientific imagination and progress, says Jim Woodgett

By Jim Woodgett

26 February

Winter: a time for contemplation

As the winter solstice looms in the northern hemisphere, five academics reflect on the light and dark of the dead season

By Joe Moran

20 December

Peer review: how to be a good referee

Peer review is lauded in principle as the guarantor of quality in academic publishing and grant distribution. But its practice is often loathed by those on the receiving end. Here, seven academics offer their tips on good refereeing, and reflect on how it may change in the years to come

By Rachel Ankeny

6 December