Academe Today

Research

Universities Are Hotbeds of Scholarship on Mass Incarceration. But Are They Doing Enough to Fix the Problem?

In the aftermath of Harvard’s controversial decision to reject an ex-inmate for a graduate program, Elizabeth Hinton is pushing the university to confront that question.

Special Reports

Applying Research to Real-World Problems

How can scientists turn their work into solutions for societal problems? The nine articles collected here can serve as a starting point for discussion about what the true mission of university research should be.  

Government

What Does Justice Kennedy’s Retirement Mean for Higher Education?

A Reagan appointee, Kennedy provided a moderate voice and sometimes sided with the court’s liberal arm, as in his surprising opinion in 2016 on the use of race in college admissions.

Labor & Work-Life Issues

Supreme Court’s Ruling Against Public Unions Leaves Murky Outlook for Academic Labor

A former chairman of the National Labor Relations Board says the effect of the decision on higher education depends, in part, on the appetite for “internecine warfare” on public-college campuses.

Teaching

In the Family-Separation Debate, Some Professors Say Their Role Is ‘Not to Not Respond’

As the national conversation about family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border continues, faculty members are grappling with how to incorporate the issue into their fall courses.

On Leadership

Saint Louis U. Reaches for More Research

Fred P. Pestello, president of Saint Louis University, talks about the risks and rewards of investing in more research opportunities.

Leadership Insights: Innovation

Our latest booklet aims to help college leaders build a culture of innovation on their campuses. It includes examples of how colleges are developing and implementing new approaches; tips on what it takes to be an innovative president; and ways to look for ideas outside of higher ed. Buy your copy in the new Chronicle Store.

Advice

Can You Really Restart Your Research After Years in Administration?

A former dean turned professor begins the difficult challenge of renewing his scholarship.

Lingua Franca

Koko Is Dead, but the Myth of Her Linguistic Skills Lives On

Despite people’s wishful thinking, the famous gorilla did not master sign language, writes Geoff Pullum, but was producing random signs, notably in situation-bound efforts to get food from her trainer.