All academics have had that anxiety dream about standing up to give a lecture, only to realise they have forgotten to prepare anything – or to put on any clothes. But real teaching failures are rarely so disastrous – and many are teachable moments. Seven academics tell us their hard-earned lessons

A new term is beginning in the northern hemisphere, and many campuses are reopening. But are academics relishing a return to relative normality or fearful of unvaccinated students? And what has the Covid experience taught them about their approach to teaching? Six scholars offer their perspectives

Emma Rees enjoys a vivid if familiar exploration of changing attitudes to romance

Still on mute? Then let’s begin, says Emma Rees

Book of the week: Emma Rees salutes a wide-ranging study of women who passed as men or found other means to serve in combat

Emma Rees is unconvinced by an attempt to shed new light on sexual conflict in the Bard’s works

Emma Rees is impressed by a wide-ranging study of how governments have encouraged and discouraged citizens to have children

Book of the week: Josh Cohen’s ruminations on slobbishness and lethargy will resonate with many readers

Book of the Week: Emma Rees on the key role of feelings in spurring individuals to political action

Women and their clothing are scrutinised more closely because men are seen as the norm in academia. Emma Rees considers the codes at play in what is supposedly a radical space

Time to cut down on sarcasm, Buzzfeed quizzes, references to neoliberalism and ad hoc usage of Latinate and French phrases, says Emma Rees