The hottest Higher Ed Substack posts right now

Education aims to enrich students' lives by fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and courage.
Promoting uncertainty and questioning in education is essential for a scientific approach to the world.
Expecting high quality from students helps them rise to meet those expectations and develop valuable skills for life.

It's essential to take responsibility for your own education and growth, even when facing challenges or disappointment.
Choosing a field of study based on genuine interest and passion can lead to a fulfilling career, despite shortcomings in traditional education.
Self-motivation and determination are crucial for personal development and success, especially in environments where external factors may not fully support individual growth.

Universities are reasserting their commitment to free speech and free expression
Princeton University and other institutions are establishing principles to protect free speech on campus
University leaders are taking steps to emphasize free expression, but challenges like cancel culture still exist

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Diversity and meritocracy coexisted historically and even reinforced each other.
Institutionalized diversity and meritocracy in higher education emerged simultaneously, not in conflict.
The pursuit of diversity and inclusion in institutions aligns with meritocracy, as they share common interests and benefits.

A pre-class assignment for an economics course asks students to complete several readings and answer five questions, with a Sunday-midnight deadline so the instructor can use responses to shape Tuesday’s class.
Students are asked to describe how they learn best, what they fear, and how much of the reading they’ve finished so the teacher can tailor instruction to the class’s needs.
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The episode focuses on education policy and what shapes schooling decisions.
Josh Cowen appears as the guest to share expertise and perspectives on education policy.
It’s presented in the American Conversations format, a conversational interview style that digs into policy issues.