The hottest Higher education Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Education Topics

PhD students in biology are cheap, exploited labor & sold a false promise

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 82 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. PhD students in biology often face long, uncertain timelines for completing their degrees, which can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety.
  2. The pay for these students is very low, making it feel like they are doing tough work for little reward, often working long hours without fair compensation.
  3. Many people who get biology PhDs end up in jobs outside of academia, and the system is criticized for producing too many graduates with too few opportunities.

Suppression of Free Speech at MIT: "On Pacifism" and the Ban on Written Revolution

Heterodox STEM • 99 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Higher education
  1. MIT recently banned a student magazine for an article discussing the limitations of nonviolent protest, sparking a debate about free speech on campus.
  2. The situation highlights how expressing controversial or radical ideas can lead to disciplinary actions at universities.
  3. The case shows the challenges students face when trying to discuss extreme views and the balance between safety and free expression in academic settings.

Why PhDs aren't easy

Theory Matters • 9 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. PhDs require a lot of hard work and persistence, not just high intelligence. Many people think it's easy, but it takes years of focus on a single problem.
  2. Funding and support for PhD students can be difficult to find, making the journey even tougher. Many students struggle with financial challenges while balancing their studies.
  3. Completing a PhD is complicated, with many potential setbacks along the way. It's not just about finishing; it's about the journey and the effort put in to achieve that goal.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #122

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 111 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Higher education
  1. Microsoft and Atom Computing are making big moves in quantum computing by using neutral atom processors to create stable computations. This could lead to real breakthroughs in things like medicine and cryptography.
  2. Nabla Bio has created an AI platform that can design new antibodies from scratch, speeding up the process of developing new drugs. This means we could potentially treat more diseases faster and cheaper.
  3. Starting in fall 2025, MIT will offer free tuition to students from families earning under $200,000, making education more accessible. This could help more talented students pursue important scientific and technical careers.
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auditing academia

bad cattitude • 254 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. Bill Ackman is calling for auditing academia due to questionable publications.
  2. Academic publications reveal widespread issues beyond just plagiarism.
  3. The content of academic papers may shock readers with its poor quality and ideological focus.

My Humanities Journey

Humanities in Revolt • 79 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. The dominant schooling system has been criticized by various great thinkers for failing to nurture critical thinking, creativity, and democratic values, highlighting the importance of reevaluating traditional education methods.
  2. Mark Twain and Jack London, despite being school dropouts, emphasized the distinction between 'schooling' and 'education,' emphasizing the role of life experiences and concentrated study in their intellectual development.
  3. Formal education is not the only path to learning, as illustrated by Dr. Nall's journey from a high school dropout to earning a doctorate, highlighting the value of informal learning, exploration, and deep critical thinking in one's educational journey.

Unbundling the University, Part 3

The Good Science Project • 33 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. Universities started as places to train clergy, gradually expanding to incorporate broader educational roles. They have evolved a lot over the centuries, shifting from teaching philosophy to becoming centers for research and technology.
  2. During the 20th century, the role of universities changed significantly, with them becoming major players in producing scientific research and technological innovation, especially after World War II. This boosted their importance in the economy and changed how they interact with industries.
  3. Today, universities serve many roles beyond just education, like acting as credentialing agencies, think tanks, and even investment firms. They are crucial in shaping cultural and professional pathways for many individuals.

Links to Consider, 3/18

In My Tribe • 197 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Higher education
  1. The perspective that social media is responsible for the prevalence of disinformation is challenged. The era of the mid-twentieth century press was also insular and biased.
  2. There has been a shift in societal values, with the relative importance of a good job increasing in status over having a good family.
  3. The implementation of industrial policy, like the CHIPS Act, is criticized for being slow and laden with DEI-related issues that hinder progress.

Yes, Xxit

Never Met a Science • 88 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. Many universities are considering leaving social media platforms like X because they can hurt their reputation and make communication less effective.
  2. Instead of trying to compete for attention on crowded platforms, universities should focus on creating their own quality spaces for sharing academic knowledge, like high-quality videos and public talks.
  3. Communication needs to be taken seriously; a careless online presence can be more damaging than having no presence at all, so investing wisely is important.

We Need to Do Better than Hum 1 & Soc Sci 2 in General Education

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 215 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. The purpose of humanities in education should be more than teaching a limited view of Western literature and thought.
  2. It is valuable to provide students with a broad liberal education that includes exposure to different perspectives, even critical ones.
  3. American universities should focus on teaching true facts and how to think critically rather than implanting specific values.

Unbundling the University, Part 4

The Good Science Project • 29 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. Universities have too many roles and it's causing them to struggle. We need to separate these roles so different institutions can do better in their specific areas.
  2. Unbundling the university means creating new kinds of organizations that focus on specific tasks, like job training or scientific research, instead of trying to do everything in one place.
  3. It's important for us to experiment with new ideas and institutions to improve education and technology. We need to allow for competition and diversity in how we learn and innovate.

AIM Daily XO

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 39 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. AIM has been ranking graduate programs for eight years, focusing on Data Science programs in India for 2023. They use surveys and research to create these rankings.
  2. This year's rankings include both on-campus and online/hybrid postgraduate programs. This helps students find options that fit their learning style.
  3. A strong program is one that scores well across various areas, showing its quality and value to students.

The surveilled campus

Can We Still Govern? • 239 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Higher education
  1. Story highlights how the professional outrage machine targets faculty and students on American campuses.
  2. Conservative campus groups use tactics like building plywood walls to provoke and surveil, leading to media scrutiny and consequences for individuals.
  3. Incidents like these reveal a trend of surveillance, recording, and media pressure for punishment that undermines trust and community on college campuses.

Links to Consider, 3/1

In My Tribe • 182 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Higher education
  1. Limit children's exposure to smartphones and social media until a certain age for their well-being.
  2. Dancing and outdoor activities like walking can be more beneficial for treating depression than other therapies.
  3. Some universities heavily rely on government funding, impacting their autonomy and priorities.

A DRAFT Syllabus for Econ 113: American Economic History :: Spring 2025 :: UC Berkeley

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 76 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. American exceptionalism is a key theme in understanding the country's economic history, exploring what makes it unique compared to other nations.
  2. The course examines significant historical events, like the rise of manufacturing and the impact of immigration, which shaped the American economy over the centuries.
  3. Inequality and economic mobility are crucial topics, focusing on how these issues have evolved from the 1940s to the present day.

The Impact of DEI on College Campuses

Journal of Free Black Thought • 157 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Higher education
  1. DEI in higher education is often influenced by Critical Social Justice ideology, which perpetuates racism by assuming it in every situation.
  2. Critical Social Justice can lead to the imposition of certain values, attitudes, and behaviors based on race, discouraging critical thinking and questioning of the narrative.
  3. People are pushing back on DEI approaches underpinned by Critical Social Justice ideology as they find it infantilizing, anti-intellectual, and not aligned with their beliefs.

Make America Hungary Again

Can We Still Govern? • 148 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Higher education
  1. The MAGA movement's admiration for Viktor Orban signifies a desire for authoritarianism over greatness, as demonstrated by Orban's undemocratic tactics in Hungary.
  2. Orban's success lies in his ability to consolidate power by controlling institutions like the media, judiciary, and higher education, mirroring patterns seen in the potential rise of American Orbanism.
  3. Orban's strategy includes increasing control over the bureaucracy to create a network of loyalists, leading to a corrupt system enabling his authoritarian rule, which American politicians are observing for potential application.

The staging of Woke Cancer

Heterodox STEM • 206 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. Woke cancer mirrors the progression of physical cancer stages.
  2. Woke cancer spreads through academia by infiltrating departments and administration.
  3. Different treatment options are discussed, from non-invasive methods to aggressive measures like cutting DEI programs.

On academic standards, fair play and Claudine Gay, or: Why principled liberal opposition is the wrong response to unprincipled malicious problem glasses-wearing charlatans

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 147 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Higher education
  1. The Associated Press backtracked on their plagiarism allegations against Claudine Gay.
  2. Some readers question the reasons behind Gay's resignation.
  3. Gay's resignation symbolizes a defeat for diversity in American higher education.

I'm joining the Cornell faculty!

Data: Made Not Found (by danah) • 59 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. The speaker is excited to join the faculty at Cornell as a Professor of Communication starting in fall 2025. They are looking forward to teaching and working with students.
  2. After many years at Microsoft Research, the speaker felt a strong desire to become a full-time professor. They believe teaching can make a bigger difference than just research.
  3. The transition from Microsoft Research is bittersweet, but the speaker is grateful for the support they've received. They aim to maintain connections with their colleagues even after leaving.

Literary Study Needs More Marxists

Cosy Moments • 46 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
📚 Literature Higher education
  1. Literary study often lacks a balanced perspective, and introducing more Marxist ideas could enhance understanding of texts through social and historical contexts.
  2. Removing classic texts from curricula due to their controversial content is problematic and can limit students' educational experiences.
  3. It's important to appreciate literature, like Shakespeare, for its cultural value, regardless of political beliefs.

Letter from Harvard

Natural Selections • 10 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🔬 Science Higher education
  1. The end of federal funding for research can hurt students, especially those from low-income families, making it harder for them to contribute to important medical advancements.
  2. A lot of scientific research relies on federal money, and cuts can disrupt ongoing projects and harm future innovation, making it a complex issue beyond just budget cuts.
  3. Having more people involved in science is great, but it raises questions about how to fund it fairly. We need to ensure that decisions on funding are made wisely and not based on popularity.

The war on science isn’t limited to the U.S.

Critical Mass • 5 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🔬 Science Higher education
  1. The fight against science is happening not just in the U.S., but in many countries like Canada too. It's important to be aware that these issues affect global scientific progress.
  2. There are attacks on scientific research funding and educational programs that threaten the integrity of universities. This has serious implications for how knowledge is pursued and shared.
  3. Public activism, voting, and awareness are crucial in combating these issues. Engaging in discussions and protests can help protect the values of free inquiry in science.

What I Didn't Learn at the Evergreen State College

I Might Be Wrong • 15 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. Without grades, college can become a joke, leading many students to slack off instead of genuinely engaging with learning. It’s important to have some accountability to encourage real effort.
  2. Professors often pass students regardless of their actual participation or effort, which undermines the purpose of education and makes it hard to assess true performance.
  3. To improve education, grades need to mean something again so that employers can better understand which students truly excel and which do not. Making grades meaningful is a better alternative than removing them altogether.

Peter Boghossian | The War on Science Interviews | Day 16

Critical Mass • 3 implied HN points • 09 Aug 25
🔬 Science Higher education
  1. There will be 20 interviews released over 20 days that discuss issues impacting science and academia.
  2. The interviews will touch on important topics like free speech, social justice, and the effects of cancel culture on universities.
  3. The goal is to spark conversation about restoring trust and quality in academia and science to fight against current challenges.

Why University Matters Beyond Jobs and Skills

Theory Matters • 16 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. Universities are facing financial struggles due to a decline in student numbers, both domestic and international.
  2. There is a shift in the perception of universities, moving away from being seen as places of intellectual exploration to mere stepping stones for jobs.
  3. There is a call for universities to prioritize intellectual experiences over skill-building, avoid becoming 'skills factories,' and uphold honesty and standards.

What's gone wrong at university

Theory Matters • 5 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. Universities are becoming more focused on producing workers rather than promoting true learning. Students are often funneled into narrow paths instead of exploring a wide range of ideas and subjects.
  2. The pressure on universities to grow is leading to bigger class sizes and less individual attention for students. This results in a decline in the quality of education and weakens the relationships between students and teachers.
  3. There's a shared responsibility between the institutions and students for the decline in education standards. Everyone needs to push for better learning experiences instead of taking the easy way out.

Colleges need to improve teaching to earn public trust

Science Forever • 1 HN point • 12 Mar 24
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. Colleges should prioritize teaching above research and other activities to regain public trust.
  2. There is a discrepancy between public expectation of universities focusing on teaching and the actual allocation of resources to research and unrelated activities.
  3. Improving teaching quality requires collaboration among faculty, administrators, and trustees to adjust incentives and prioritize education.

Fostering Free Expression in Higher Education

Natural Selections • 4 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. Universities should adopt the Chicago Principles, which support free speech and allow everyone to express themselves without fear of backlash. This helps create a safer space for open discussion.
  2. Administrators and faculty should encourage respectful disagreement and avoid ruling with fear. They should treat students as partners in learning, allowing for mistakes and corrections.
  3. Students should embrace diverse ideas and experiences, rather than seek comfort in familiar beliefs. Engaging with different perspectives helps broaden understanding and growth.

Book Review: The Sacred Project of American Sociology

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 19 implied HN points • 07 May 20
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. American sociology is a political, sacred, and spiritual project with a specific goal of emancipation, equality, and moral affirmation of individuals.
  2. Sociology's sacred project aims to venerate, protect, and advance a specific Durkheimian sacred regarding human autonomy, equality, and identity.
  3. Sociologists must critically assess and make explicit the sacred mission of American sociology to better understand the discipline's impacts, costs, and tradeoffs on academia and society.

Book Review: The Crisis of Expertise

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 19 implied HN points • 14 Apr 20
🔬 Science Higher education
  1. Despite concerns about a 'war on science' or a 'death of expertise,' public trust in the scientific community remains relatively high in the US.
  2. Americans have significant faith in science compared to other countries, yet there is polarization around various scientific issues like climate change and vaccines.
  3. The crisis of expertise is not about doubting science, but rather about the struggles over defining who counts as an expert, how their findings are interpreted, and the socio-political implications of scientific discoveries.