He has scripted major films and Coronation Street, won acclaim for his children's novels, and is now helping with the Olympics. For his next trick, he'll be the UK's first professor of reading. Martin Wainwright talks to Frank Cottrell Boyce
Vice-chancellor of City University says staff reforms are necessary
Paul Curran tells David Batty that his plans to double 'research-excellent' staff and halve the number who 'only' teach are necessary in an increasingly competitive international market
The Church of England is a good brand, says the chair of its education board
John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, is a deft politician who intends to make the best of government policies even though he may not agree with them, says Peter Wilby
Education's ex-top civil servant 'never had a difficult relationship' with Michael Gove, he says. And in fact, when he speaks, his phraseology sounds eerily similar to that of the secretary of state, says Peter Wilby
Alice Roberts, who has popularised science in TV programmes such as Coast, Don't Die Young and The Origins of Us, has been appointed professor of public engagement in science at Birmingham University
Tony Blair's former speechwriter, Peter Hyman, is about to recruit staff for his new school. Unlike some that have already opened, his establishment will be all about innovation, innovation, innovation, he tells Janet Murray
Shabana Mahmood, the shadow universities minister, is eager for battle
The shadow universities minister tells Harriet Swain that she is keen to have a battle of brains with David Willetts over government policy and the HE white paper
Danny Dorling's new book reveals Labour's legacy for schools
Professor Danny Dorling has a knack for making statistics sexy, whether it's to show that Labour widened university intake, or that life is better in Barnsley than Chelsea. Martin Wainwright meets him
