https://www.theguardian.com/profile/anthealipsett Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:36:06 GMT 2026-06-24T06:36:06Z en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/oct/21/wake-up-call-is-the-government-now-listening-to-university-experts <p>A popular science book has transformed public health advice on sleep. But how often does this happen?</p><p>Steve Brine, a former public health minister, was intrigued when he spotted a fellow train passenger reading Matthew Walker’s bestseller <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/sep/21/why-we-sleep-by-matthew-walker-review">Why We Sleep</a><em>. </em>He picked up a copy of the popular science book, which argues that sleeping a eight hours per night can transform physical and mental health, and subsequently<em> </em>pushed to include guidance on minimum sleep hours in the government’s health green paper.</p><p>“I was really struck by what it said,” says Brine. “It was a good piece of work that landed at the right time with the right person, who was prepared to take on officials rolling their eyes at ministers. I also had a fair amount of credibility in the public health space so they were probably prepared to listen, and Matt [Hancock, the health secretary] was prepared to back me.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/oct/21/wake-up-call-is-the-government-now-listening-to-university-experts">Continue reading...</a> Universities Global research Science Education Higher education Mon, 21 Oct 2019 06:00:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/oct/21/wake-up-call-is-the-government-now-listening-to-university-experts Photograph: Adam Kuylenstierna/EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm Photograph: Adam Kuylenstierna/EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm Photograph: Adam Kuylenstierna/EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm Anthea Lipsett 2019-10-21T06:00:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/feb/18/drones-and-big-data-the-next-frontier-in-the-fight-against-wildlife-extinction <p>Emerging technologies are a boon for the work of conservation researchers, but not all universities are equipped for them</p><p>Technology is playing an increasingly vital role in conservation and ecology research. Drones in particular hold huge potential in the fight to save the world’s remaining wildlife from extinction. With their help, researchers can now track wild animals through dense forests and monitor whales in vast oceans. The World Wildlife Fund for Nature estimates that <a href="http://wwf.panda.org/our_work/biodiversity/biodiversity/">up to five living species on earth</a> become extinct every day, making it vital that universities develop new technologies to capture the data that can persuade those in power to act.</p><p>The British International Education Association and the Born Free Foundation hosted a conference in January to highlight the importance of technological solutions in protecting vulnerable species and ecosystems. Speakers underlined how technology can help conservation efforts: fixed-wing drones can land on water and circle high above the Indian Ocean to spot whales, rays and illegal fishing, while artificial intelligence-enabled infrared cameras are able to identify members of an individual species or human poachers, even through thick environmental cover.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/feb/18/drones-and-big-data-the-next-frontier-in-the-fight-against-wildlife-extinction">Continue reading...</a> Technology Higher education Education Conservation Environment Science Research Mon, 18 Feb 2019 07:00:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/feb/18/drones-and-big-data-the-next-frontier-in-the-fight-against-wildlife-extinction Photograph: Imperial College London Photograph: Imperial College London Photograph: Imperial College London Anthea Lipsett 2019-02-18T07:00:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/nov/29/margaret-heffernan-the-more-academics-compete-the-fewer-ideas-they-share <p>The entrepreneur and author on how universities can create a healthy working culture</p><p>University leaders might baulk at the idea of more argumentative staff, but entrepreneur and author Margaret Heffernan argues they must learn to embrace constructive conflict. This is particularly important in the wake of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/mar/13/striking-university-staff-irate-over-pensions-deal-ucu">pension strikes</a> that shut down campuses last year.</p><p>For Heffernan, passionate debate is a sign that people care, and is far better than “deadly” silence and compliance. “If I were a chief executive where there was no trouble-making, I’d be scared for my life,” she says.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/nov/29/margaret-heffernan-the-more-academics-compete-the-fewer-ideas-they-share">Continue reading...</a> University leadership Education Universities Higher education Thu, 29 Nov 2018 07:00:17 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/nov/29/margaret-heffernan-the-more-academics-compete-the-fewer-ideas-they-share Photograph: Margaret Heffernan Photograph: Margaret Heffernan Photograph: Margaret Heffernan Anthea Lipsett 2018-11-29T07:00:17Z https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2011/mar/14/survival-guide-new-academics Aspiring academics face many difficulties in the early stages of their studies, but there is plenty that can be done to avoid these pitfalls<p>Enormous changes are about to engulf the British university system, including funding cuts and a tripling of tuition fees. But it's still an exciting place for young, aspiring academics and a potentially fascinating career path.</p><p>For most, getting a PhD is the first stage of an academic career and there are numerous avoidable pitfalls to ensure you get the best out of your training and research.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2011/mar/14/survival-guide-new-academics">Continue reading...</a> Professional development Academics Research Universities Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:21:23 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2011/mar/14/survival-guide-new-academics Photograph: Roger Tooth/Guardian The ultimate survival kit for new academics? Picking a supervisor you get on with is more essential. Photograph: Roger Tooth for the Guardian Photograph: Roger Tooth/Guardian The ultimate survival kit for new academics? Picking a supervisor you get on with is more essential. Photograph: Roger Tooth for the Guardian Photograph: Roger Tooth/Guardian The ultimate survival kit for new academics? Picking a supervisor you get on with is more essential. Photograph: Roger Tooth for the Guardian Anthea Lipsett 2011-03-14T16:21:23Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/mar/01/research-excellence-framework-academics New rules on research funding will force academics to prove the impact of their work outside their own university<p>Since the introduction of the research assessment exercise (RAE), an evaluation carried out on behalf of the four UK funding councils every five years, academics have had to do a lot more form-filling to secure funding for future research. Its replacement, the research excellence framework (REF), due to be rolled out in 2013, could make that burden even heavier, putting them under pressure to source hard-to-find data.</p><p>Most controversial is the proposal to judge the quality of research based on its impact outside of academic circles. While academics have always been accountable to funding bodies, under new rules announced on behalf of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) today, university departments will also have to provide case studies proving the impact of their work beyond their institution. This might include public outreach or details of how a particular piece of work is helping the wider community, for example through medical science.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/mar/01/research-excellence-framework-academics">Continue reading...</a> Research funding RAE Research Higher education Education Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:45:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/mar/01/research-excellence-framework-academics Photograph: Christopher Thomond/Guardian Manchester University is already drawing up impact case studies. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian Photograph: Christopher Thomond/Guardian Manchester University is already drawing up impact case studies. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian Photograph: Christopher Thomond/Guardian Manchester University is already drawing up impact case studies. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian Anthea Lipsett 2011-03-01T06:45:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/jan/17/postgraduates-funding-cuts Funding costs may hit postgraduates next, as course costs rise with no support for students<p>With all eyes on rising undergraduate tuition fees and the protests against them, little attention has been paid to postgraduate funding. But the sector is fearful of the damage that may be caused by looming cuts to teaching money and the prospect of universities having to raise postgraduate course fees to cover any shortfall.</p><p>"Postgraduate students have so far been missing from the funding debate," says Paul Marshall, executive director at the 1994 Group of smaller research-intensive universities. "While undergraduate students will be able to pay for tuition out of subsidised loans and a host of support measures, no such mechanisms are in place for those looking to study at a more advanced level.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/jan/17/postgraduates-funding-cuts">Continue reading...</a> Cuts and closures Postgraduates Students Higher education Education Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:15:00 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/jan/17/postgraduates-funding-cuts Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian Teachers doing a master’s course. There are about 180,000 full-time master’s students ineligible for government funding. Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian Teachers doing a master’s course. There are about 180,000 full-time master’s students ineligible for government funding. Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian Teachers doing a master’s course. There are about 180,000 full-time master’s students ineligible for government funding. Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian Anthea Lipsett 2011-01-17T16:15:00Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/dec/07/academics-public-engagement-comedy Standup comedy is one way of getting academic research to a new audience – and keeping funders happy<p>Becoming a standup comedian for the night might not seem the most obvious way to tell the public about your research but it worked for Mike Ward. "I've always wanted to do it and thought standup would be a really good way to get my research out to a different audience, show people that academics don't just sit in universities, and make them laugh," he says.</p><p>The 29-year-old PhD student sociologist at Cardiff University says his research into the lives of 18-year-old men from the Welsh valleys offered plenty of material for Bright Club, a monthly "thinking person's" comedy night.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/dec/07/academics-public-engagement-comedy">Continue reading...</a> Research Research funding Academic experts Cardiff University University of East Anglia University of Glamorgan UCL (University College London) Higher education Education Tue, 07 Dec 2010 07:45:00 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/dec/07/academics-public-engagement-comedy Photograph: Carole Jahme/Public Domain Wit and wisdom: a conference today aims to persuade more academics that it is important for them to do ‘outreach’ work such as comedy. Photograph: Carole Jahme Photograph: Carole Jahme/Public Domain Wit and wisdom: a conference today aims to persuade more academics that it is important for them to do ‘outreach’ work such as comedy. Photograph: Carole Jahme Photograph: Carole Jahme/Public Domain Wit and wisdom: a conference today aims to persuade more academics that it is important for them to do ‘outreach’ work such as comedy. Photograph: Carole Jahme Anthea Lipsett 2010-12-07T07:45:00Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/nov/29/student-cooking-tv A cooking show for students, by students is revolutionising culinary skills around the country<p>Culinarily inept freshers used to fend for themselves in university kitchens armed with the sole cheap student grub recipe book on the market. Now, a growing number of universities are equipping them with a website smorgasbord of videos to help them master how to boil an egg.</p><p><a href="http://www.studentcooking.tv" title="">Studentcooking.tv</a> is cooking for the Facebook generation. Universities see it as the perfect way to engage with students and improve their experience of university – upon which government ministers increasingly insist.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/nov/29/student-cooking-tv">Continue reading...</a> Students Student cooking Food Higher education Education Life and style Advice for students Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:30:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/nov/29/student-cooking-tv Photograph: studentcooking.tv Mufadal Jiwaji, a master's student at St Andrews and self-confessed foodie, appears on studentcooking.tv. Photograph: studentcooking.tv Photograph: studentcooking.tv Mufadal Jiwaji, a master's student at St Andrews and self-confessed foodie, appears on studentcooking.tv. Photograph: studentcooking.tv Photograph: studentcooking.tv Mufadal Jiwaji, a master's student at St Andrews and self-confessed foodie, appears on studentcooking.tv. Photograph: studentcooking.tv Anthea Lipsett 2010-11-29T16:30:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/oct/12/internationalstudents-higher-education Universities fear the cap on immigration could seriously damage our vital academic industry<p>Cabinet ministers will this week consider controversial plans to cap the number of skilled workers coming to the UK. University heads warn that the restrictions, which come in the wake of steep funding cuts, will create a damaging "perfect storm" for British higher education.</p><p>Universities already face restrictions on the number of international academics and researchers they can sponsor to work here after the government announced an interim cap on migration of non-EU highly skilled and skilled workers in July. Ministers want to reduce numbers from 196,000 last year to tens of thousands by 2014.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/oct/12/internationalstudents-higher-education">Continue reading...</a> International students Higher education Education Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:30:00 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/oct/12/internationalstudents-higher-education Photograph: Jon Super/AP Russsian academics Professor Andre Geim, left, and Dr Konstantin Novoselov who have have been awarded the Nobel Prize for physics, outside Manchester University. Photograph: Jon Super/AP Photograph: Jon Super/AP Russsian academics Professor Andre Geim, left, and Dr Konstantin Novoselov who have have been awarded the Nobel Prize for physics, outside Manchester University. Photograph: Jon Super/AP Photograph: Jon Super/AP Russsian academics Professor Andre Geim, left, and Dr Konstantin Novoselov who have have been awarded the Nobel Prize for physics, outside Manchester University. Photograph: Jon Super/AP Anthea Lipsett 2010-10-12T06:30:00Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/aug/04/university-job-cuts-equality-gender Are universities failing to assess the impact of job cuts on equality and on the gender and ethnic balance of staff?<p>Universities across the country are planning drastic job cuts and as many as 6,000 university staff face the axe. The umbrella group Universities UK (UUK) insists that institutions "have a good track record in handling staffing changes in an open and fair way". But union officials claim that half of those planning job cuts are breaking the law by failing to assess what impact the decisions will have.</p><p>Three laws – the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and the Equality Act 2006 – require universities to assess the impact of their current and proposed policies on race, disability and gender equality. But many still struggle to meet their obligations, with institutions often lacking the systems in place to do impact assessment at the initiation of a policy, rather than after it is impossible to change it.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/aug/04/university-job-cuts-equality-gender">Continue reading...</a> Lecturers University funding Higher education Education Inequality Society UK news Education Forums Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:10:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/aug/04/university-job-cuts-equality-gender Photograph: Graeme Robertson Students at London Metropolitan University fear that university budget cuts will have an impact on the quality of teaching they receive. Photograph: Graeme Robertson Photograph: Graeme Robertson Students at London Metropolitan University fear that university budget cuts will have an impact on the quality of teaching they receive. Photograph: Graeme Robertson Photograph: Graeme Robertson Students at London Metropolitan University fear that university budget cuts will have an impact on the quality of teaching they receive. Photograph: Graeme Robertson Anthea Lipsett 2009-08-03T23:10:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/31/student-places-new-universities Manchester Metropolitan to take in 500 more students as part of 10,000 places allocated by government <br /><p>New universities will take the lion's share of the 10,000 extra student places the government is allowing in subjects important to the economy.</p><p>Manchester Metropolitan University will take on the largest number of students – 519 – followed by Kingston University (501) and Sheffield Hallam University (355).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/31/student-places-new-universities">Continue reading...</a> Students Access to university University funding Higher education Education UK news Manchester Greater Manchester Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:52:58 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/31/student-places-new-universities Anthea Lipsett 2009-07-31T16:52:58Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/31/sports-participation-children Mori poll shows 23% of five to 19-year-olds not participating in structured sporting activities <br /><p>Nearly one in four children do not take part in any organised sport, new research shows.</p><p>This is despite a government campaign launched two years ago to get pupils to do up to five hours of sport each week, including two hours within the curriculum, and three hours for young people aged 16 to 19.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/31/sports-participation-children">Continue reading...</a> School sports Schools Education UK news Children Society Health Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:22:29 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/31/sports-participation-children Anthea Lipsett 2009-07-31T10:22:29Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/29/early-learning-gender-gap • Study finds girls outperform boys at most levels<br />• But boys showed better 'understanding of world'<p>One in four boys still struggle to write their own name by the age of five, according to new government figures that reveal a huge gender gap in young children's abilities.</p><p>Three in 10 five-year-old boys have trouble reciting the alphabet and one in five are unable to count to 10, according to statistics representing England and Wales, published for the first time today.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/29/early-learning-gender-gap">Continue reading...</a> The gender gap Early years education Primary schools Education UK news Children Society Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:43:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/29/early-learning-gender-gap Photograph: Barry Batchelor/PA Girls are outperforming boys at primary school. Photograph: Barry Batchelor/PA Photograph: Barry Batchelor/PA Girls are outperforming boys at primary school. Photograph: Barry Batchelor/PA Photograph: Barry Batchelor/PA Girls are outperforming boys at primary school. Photograph: Barry Batchelor/PA Anthea Lipsett 2009-07-29T18:43:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/29/newer-universities-in-line-extra-students Universities given tomorrow deadline to accept allocations for science and business subjects<p>Universities and colleges have until tomorrow to decide whether to accept the emergency extra student places they have been allocated.</p><p>Earlier this month, the government announced 10,000 extra student numbers after warnings that universities would be unable to cater for the record 10% increase in applications during the recession.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/29/newer-universities-in-line-extra-students">Continue reading...</a> Higher education Education UK news Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:35:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/29/newer-universities-in-line-extra-students Anthea Lipsett 2009-07-29T13:35:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jul/29/murders-by-people-mental-health-rise Researchers at Manchester University find increase in homicide cases but drop in suicides<p>The number of people killed by individuals with mental health problems in England and Wales has risen over the last ten years, according to new figures.</p><p>Researchers from Manchester University analysed suicide and homicide data for people with mental illness in England and Wales between 1997 and 2005-06.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jul/29/murders-by-people-mental-health-rise">Continue reading...</a> Mental health Society Health Crime UK news Manchester Greater Manchester Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:10:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jul/29/murders-by-people-mental-health-rise Anthea Lipsett 2009-07-28T23:10:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jul/29/one-million-children-overcrowded-homes Housing shortage sees record number of under-15s living in cramped conditions<p>More than one million children in England now live in overcrowded homes, a rise of 54,000 in the last two years, a charity warned today.</p><p>New figures released by Shelter highlight the record number of under-15-year-olds living in cramped conditions, with one in 10 children in overcrowded housing.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jul/29/one-million-children-overcrowded-homes">Continue reading...</a> Children Housing Young people Society UK news Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:05:10 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jul/29/one-million-children-overcrowded-homes Anthea Lipsett 2009-07-28T23:05:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/28/nhs-apprenticeships-funding New apprenticeships in NHS and social care will be in place by March 2010<p>The number of NHS apprenticeships is set to treble to more than 5,000 after the government announced £25m for NHS organisations to help create them.</p><p>The funding injection for 5,318 apprenticeships, announced today by the health secretary, Andy Burnham, follows a government commitment in February to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/feb/04/apprentice-teaching-assistants" title="boost the number of public sector apprenticeships">boost the number of public sector apprenticeships</a> by 21,000 and make the option more mainstream.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/28/nhs-apprenticeships-funding">Continue reading...</a> Further education Education NHS Young people Society UK news Social care Public sector careers Public sector Forums Apprenticeships Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:49:24 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/28/nhs-apprenticeships-funding Anthea Lipsett 2009-07-28T08:49:24Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/28/vocational-qualifications-university-dropout Students with vocational qualifications are less likely to get into top universities – and more likely to drop out<p>Students with vocational qualifications are less likely to get a university place – and those who do are more likely to go to newer universities and to drop out in their first year than those with A-levels, according to new research.</p><p>What does this mean for the thousands of students currently studying for the government's flagship diplomas? Dr Geoff Hayward, of Oxford University's education department, who did the research, says diploma students should take an A-level as their "additional specialist learning" component if they are aiming for university. With a mix of academic and vocational qualifications, they have much the same chances as those with A-levels, he says.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/28/vocational-qualifications-university-dropout">Continue reading...</a> Diplomas A-levels Higher education Education Further education Exams Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:05:04 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/28/vocational-qualifications-university-dropout Photograph: Karen Moskowitz/Getty Images Will a vocational background be a help or a hindrance? Photograph: Karen Moskowitz/Getty Images Photograph: Karen Moskowitz/Getty Images Will a vocational background be a help or a hindrance? Photograph: Karen Moskowitz/Getty Images Photograph: Karen Moskowitz/Getty Images Will a vocational background be a help or a hindrance? Photograph: Karen Moskowitz/Getty Images Anthea Lipsett 2009-07-27T23:05:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/24/extra-university-places-science-business Students not applying for science-related subjects will miss out on 10,000 emergency spaces announced last week<p>The government confirmed today that 10,000 emergency extra university places this autumn will be restricted to science and business subjects.</p><p>In a letter to Hefce, the funding council, David Lammy, the higher education minister, outlined six priority areas:</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/24/extra-university-places-science-business">Continue reading...</a> University funding University teaching Science Business management and marketing Engineering general University administration Students Higher education Education Education policy Politics UK news Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:46:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/24/extra-university-places-science-business Photograph: Graham Turner/Guardian David Lammy said the science-related areas had been chosen to 'equip young people with the skills they need for the jobs of the future'. Photograph: Graham Turner Photograph: Graham Turner/Guardian David Lammy said the science-related areas had been chosen to 'equip young people with the skills they need for the jobs of the future'. Photograph: Graham Turner Photograph: Graham Turner/Guardian David Lammy said the science-related areas had been chosen to 'equip young people with the skills they need for the jobs of the future'. Photograph: Graham Turner Anthea Lipsett 2009-07-24T14:46:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/23/city-university-resignation-malcolm-gillies Malcolm Gillies to step down over 'differing views' with governing body<br /><p>Academics at City University spoke of their shock and dismay today at the resignation of vice-chancellor Professor Malcolm Gillies over "differing views" with the governing body about how to run the institution.</p><p>Apurv Bagri, the acting chair of the university council, wrote to staff today to tell them Gillies would step down immediately.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/23/city-university-resignation-malcolm-gillies">Continue reading...</a> City University of London Higher education Education UK news Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:52:32 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/jul/23/city-university-resignation-malcolm-gillies Anthea Lipsett 2009-07-23T16:52:32Z