Cribsheet 04.05.11

Who believes in conspiracy theories?

As conspiracy theories about the "killing" of "Osama bin Laden" and photographs of "his body" ping round the internet, a research study shows such theories are more likely to be believed by people who are willing themselves to conspire.

In a paper to be published in the British Journal of Social Psychology, Karen Douglas and Robbie Sutton, two researchers from the University of Kent, say it's all about projection - so an individual's perception that "I would do it" informs his or her perception that "they did it".

They talked to around 250 UK undergraduates about 17 major alleged conspiracies, such as the "assassination" of Princess Diana, the "faking" of the moon landings and the "orchestration of the 9/11 attacks" by the US government.

Douglas says:

"We wanted to test a new explanation of why conspiracy theories are endorsed in an internet age when people have access to a matrix of often conflicting information from a variety of sources.
We found that in their search for explanations under such uncertain and confusing conditions, people rely partly on projection - the assumption that others would behave much as they would. We're not saying however that all conspiracy theorists are immoral."

Education news from the Guardian

Stories from each end of the league table of universities today, but first a visual take on tuition fees (above) from Education Guardian cartoonist Ros Asquith.

• Cambridge is the second best place in the world to study medicine, according to a new poll by QS which puts Harvard in the number one slot. Three UK universities make the top 10, the others are all American.

• Malcolm Gillies's defence of cutting arts and humanities courses at London Met is coming under fire. Unison draws attention to its open letter to the vice-chancellor while @public_uni tweets a link to an online petition that has been set up to stop the cuts. A teach-in is taking place on Saturday at the university's Graduate Centre on Holloway Road, north London.

• Universities have till close of play tomorrow to tell us if they're not happy with their subject inclusions for the Guardian University Guide 2012. Please help us by making sure the relevant person at your institution is aware of this.

Education news from around the web

• Australia's come up with an interesting alternative to the EMA - the Sydney Morning Herald reports that the prime minister, Julia Gillard, has announced a tax change that means families could receive an extra $4,200 a year for each eligible teenager that stays in school. Thanks to @gsgschools for tweeting about it.

Meanwhile the government here has been warned that its plans for replacing the EMA could lead to discrimination, the BBC reports.

• The Mail says students shouldn't be left in the dark about the names of seven at-risk institutions on a secret Hefce hitlist. It quotes Martin Doel, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, as saying:

"Students deserve to have the best information about the quality of a university and a course, and assurance and indeed certainty of completing a course at a certain institution. I understand difficulties in publishing the list in commercial terms … but I do think students should have the best information possible."

• Durham University's student newspaper, the Palatinate, reports that the university has accepted a £125,000 donation from a controversial tobacco company. Its report is based on a leaked document signed in June 2010, which confirms that British American Tobacco (BAT) will provide funding towards the chancellor's Scholarships for Afghan Women appeal. The document explicitly states "that neither the donor nor the university shall seek to publicise the gift".

• The GTCE has been hosting an online conference for teachers with disabilities and today reports on its findings:

"Although most participants report a positive experience during their initial teacher training, once in employment the situation for many becomes more varied."

The report quotes primary school teacher Laura as saying:

"There is an expectation that you will attend after-school activities, but all my energy has been used up during the working day and often I feel exhausted."

• Schools that are already academies and those that are thinking of becoming academies may find a conference in Birmingham today helpful. Separately, a group of councils is mounting a challenge to the government - they say their funding is being cut and the money diverted to academies.

On the Higher Education Network

Are higher education institutions doing enough for international students? Frederika Whitehead talks to the universities putting student experience and integration first.

Careers Q&A

How can you boost your CV over the long summer break? Find out more about placement opportunities, both home and abroad, in a live Q&A today.

Education seminars from Guardian Professional

Getting the best education for children in care

The Guardian's one-day seminar in association with Tact (the UK's largest fostering and adoption charity) will provide an overview of the UK education system and strategies for dealing with the challenges faced by looked-after children and their carers.

26 May, London.

Making the most of media opportunities to enhance your school's profile

Whether it's sharing good news or handling a crisis, headteachers and school management teams need to be able to handle the media in all of its forms. This one-day seminar in association with the NAHT is essential for new and aspiring heads as well as established school leaders who wish to update their knowledge. It includes a session on social media.

13 June, Birmingham and 20 September, London.

Distinctiveness and branding in higher education

Higher education institutions will struggle in the marketplace unless they stand out from competitors and make sense to stakeholders. The Guardian's half-day seminar in partnership with the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education will explore what it takes to develop and maintain a distinctive brand that attracts students, staff and funders. Participants will hear from experts, examine case studies and have the opportunity to network with peers.

28 June, London.