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Time to cry out for academic freedom

Time to cry out for academic freedom

Giving staff and students a say in how institutions are run would strengthen governance and clip the wings of administrators.

Why universities should support the EU

Why universities should support the EU

The Eurosceptics say universities would be unaffected, or even improved, by a Brexit. They are wrong, says this vice-chancellor.

Impact is not importance

Impact is not importance

The use of journal impacts in evaluating individuals has its inherent dangers. In an ideal world, evaluators would read each article and make personal judgments.

The economic impact of open data: what do we already know?

The economic impact of open data: what do we already know?

Open data fuels economic growth. Many believe in the theory and ask for the proof. A new report by Nesta and the ODI adds to the evidence of the impact of open data.

Elsevier mutiny: cracks are starting to widen in the fortress of academic publishing

Elsevier mutiny: cracks are starting to widen in the fortress of academic publishing

The editorial staff of a research journal have resigned to protest the company’s failure to embrace open access.

Why is academic writing so needlessly complex?

Why is academic writing so needlessly complex?

Some research funders have mandated in recent years that studies they finance be published in open-access journals, but they've given little attention to ensuring those studies include accessible writing.

Let's make sure it's fair as well as transparent

Let's make sure it's fair as well as transparent

Scientific publishing has undergone a revolution in recent years - largely due to the internet. And it shows no sign of letting up as a growing number of countries attempt to ensure that research papers are made freely available. Publishers are struggling to adapt their business models to the new challenges.

Do academy members publish better papers?

Do academy members publish better papers?

As an institution, science is not fond of privilege. Success in science is supposed to be the result of merit - hard work, tenacity and, to some degree, sheer luck - not nepotism, favoritism, or entitlement.

Virtual rat brain fails to impress its critics

Virtual rat brain fails to impress its critics

Some scientists the long-awaited paper of the Blue Brain Project, a 10-year program spearheaded by neuroscientist Henry Markram, as proof that the idea of modeling a brain and all of its components is misguided and a waste of money.

Scientists can draw very different meanings from the same data, study shows

Scientists can draw very different meanings from the same data, study shows

Giving the same information to multiple scientific teams can lead to very different conclusions, a report published today in Nature shows.

The (very precise) future of medicine

The (very precise) future of medicine

The Welcome trust has collaborated with the government on several big capital projects, including Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire and the new Francis Crick Institute laboratories.