Teaching and researching across borders

By kiera.obrien, 24 April, 2025
How to support an international higher education system in which students and academics work and learn alongside their peers from all over the world

Higher education is a global endeavour. Knowledge creation and dissemination is rarely confined by national borders, particularly in an age of instant digital connectivity. However, with longstanding international collaborations now threatened by political forces, universities and academics will need to work hard to protect and advance cross-border teaching and research. In research, academics from around the world bring diverse expertise and perspectives. In the classroom, international students and curricula foster a richer learning experience for all. But internationalisation brings challenges and this collection seeks to help lecturers and researchers overcome these, in order to reap the benefits of a globalised sector. 

Teaching and researching across borders
How to support an international higher education system in which students and academics work and learn alongside their peers from all over the world
Spotlight image

Higher education is a global endeavour. Knowledge creation and dissemination is rarely confined by national borders, particularly in an age of instant digital connectivity. However, with longstanding international collaborations now threatened by political forces, universities and academics will need to work hard to protect and advance cross-border teaching and research. In research, academics from around the world bring diverse expertise and perspectives. In the classroom, international students and curricula foster a richer learning experience for all. But internationalisation brings challenges and this collection seeks to help lecturers and researchers overcome these, in order to reap the benefits of a globalised sector. 

Strategies for international research success
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By Eliza.Compton, 24 February, 2025
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When researchers in poorer countries are expected to deliver programmes to the exacting standards of funders in the Global North, it makes international collaboration more difficult. Here, Mary Ryan calls for skills development initiatives to align global aspiration and reality
Reading time
4minutes

Routes to international research success

International research collaborations enable academics and institutions to pool knowledge and resources. Find out how to connect with colleagues overseas and develop projects across borders, foster trust and transparency in multinational research teams and ensure equitable recognition and decision-making.

Strategies for international research success
Resources
By Eliza.Compton, 31 March, 2025
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An effective international initiative can benefit a whole host of stakeholders – universities, industry leaders, students, wider communities. But how do we get to success? Cindy Yi looks at the opportunities and challenges of international collaborations using a real-world example
Reading time
4minutes
Teaching in a global classroom
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Teaching in a global classroom

Bringing together students representing different nations and cultures within the classroom creates exciting learning opportunities but requires careful management. Learn how to create an inclusive environment, both in-person and online, navigate differences with respect and be aware of your own biases with these tips.

Teaching in a global classroom
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Crossing language barriers
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By Eliza.Compton, 17 April, 2025
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Teaching English for academic purposes should be inclusive by its very nature. Here’s how to centre student voices, challenge assumptions about academic language, and design learning for meaningful participation and belonging
Reading time
4minutes

Crossing language barriers  

With international students come a multitude of languages spoken on campus. With language key to social cohesion and academic achievement, embracing multilingualism and finding ways to support non-native English speakers is crucial. Find out how others are doing this, here.   

A warm welcome for students from around the world
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A warm welcome for students from around the world

The transition from school to university is always daunting but international students face the added challenge of adapting to life in a new country and navigating a new education system. Discover tips to make foreign students feel welcome and help them settle them into their new home so they can learn and flourish. 

The international university
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The international university

Internationalisation is built into most institutional strategies but what does it look like in real terms? Transnational education is a popular avenue for many universities wishing to extend their global reach, but is often criticised for delivering substandard teaching, so what does high-quality TNE look like? What are the characteristics that mean some branch campuses thrive while others flounder? Find some of the answers here.

Transnational education explained
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By miranda.prynne, 10 September, 2021
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Vangelis Tsiligiris outlines the key areas for innovation in the design and delivery of transnational education based on changing needs and developments in the global higher education landscape
Reading time
4minutes