Campus podcast: How to look after yourself in higher education

Campus podcast: How to look after yourself in higher education

Author: Campus by Times Higher Education April 17, 2025 Duration: 27:03
For this episode, we asked academics and university staff from around the world to share their own strategies for staying positive, healthy and maintaining balance in a sector in which stress and overwork are commonplace. At a time when higher education feels under attack in many countries, in more ways than one, it is important for those working in the sector to find coping strategies that work for them and build collective support. Thank you to all who contributed their personal wisdom: Lucas Lixinski is a law professor and associate dean at UNSW Sydney, which he joined after completing a postgraduate fellowship at the University of Texas School of Law. Maha Bali is a professor of practice at the Center for Learning and Teaching at The American University in Cairo (AUC).  Doune Macdonald is an emerita professor at the University of Queensland and a visiting professor at the University of Sydney. Debbie Riby is a professor of developmental psychology and associate pro-vice chancellor for postgraduate research students at Durham University Bhawana Shrestha is a research fellow at the Learning Institute for Future Excellence at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Chris Wright is a senior lecturer and co-ordinator of the Drawing Centre at De Montfort University. Chin Moi Chow is an associate professor of sleep and well-being in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. Pippa Caterall is a professor of history and policy at the University of Westminster. Patrice Sewou is an associate professor of learning and teaching and the director of the Centre for the Advancement of Racial Equality at the University of Northampton. Aster Cosmos is a learning designer at Monash University. For more insight and advice on protecting the well-being of those working and studying in universities, take a look at our latest spotlight guide on making mental health a priority in higher education.

What does it really take to run a modern university? Campus Talks by Times Higher Education moves beyond the headlines and policy papers to explore the human stories and practical challenges shaping colleges and universities today. Each episode features candid conversations with the academics, administrators, and staff on the front lines, offering a ground-level view of the forces transforming education globally. You’ll hear nuanced discussions about reinventing teaching methods, navigating the complexities of international partnerships, pursuing meaningful research, and building institutions that are both excellent and sustainable. This isn’t a series of abstract lectures; it’s a forum for genuine problem-solving and shared experience. The podcast draws on the extensive network and editorial expertise of its host, Campus by Times Higher Education, to connect listeners with diverse voices from campuses worldwide. Whether you’re a faculty member, a university leader, or simply fascinated by the inner workings of higher education, these dialogues provide actionable insights and a deeper understanding of the academy’s evolving role in society. Tune in for thoughtful analysis that respects the complexity of the issues while searching for tangible solutions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Campus Talks by Times Higher Education
Podcast Episodes
Campus: Bringing an outsider’s eye to primary sources [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:25
For this episode of the Times Higher Education podcast, we talk to award-winning author, cultural historian and literary critic Alexandra Harris about the research and writing practices behind her new book, The Rising Do…
Campus: How to lead a university from the front [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:52
Katie Normington, vice-chancellor and CEO of De Montfort University, has proved to be adept at both leading by example and change management. Not only did she join the Leicester institution during Covid amid the longest…
Campus: The future of XR and immersive learning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:02
Imagine a learning environment where an AI professor fields infinite student questions, where business students practise difficult conversations with an avatar that models an array of personas and reactions, where automa…
Campus: Human connection and the student experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:54
What difference does human connection make to student success? Does it matter if students come to in-person lectures? And what if students turn to AI for help with academic tasks rather than asking libraries or someone i…
Campus: What is open access? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:44
In this episode of the Times Higher Education podcast, we talk to two experts – one in the US and one in the UK – about open access, the global movement that aims to make research outputs available online immediately and…
Campus: How to turn university students into engaged citizens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:01
In 2024, more people than ever in history will be going to the polls to vote in elections in more than 80 countries, including the US and the UK. As pillars of democratic societies, universities and colleges are integral…