Send us a link
UK Universities Have Passed the Challenge of Brexit and Covid
The pandemic produced apocalyptic warnings about higher education in the UK. In fact, its future is looking a lot brighter than predicted.
Ten (basic) Points About Demand for Higher Education This Year
These are my remarks from yesterday's UK Student Accommodation Forum on demand for higher education in 2021/22 and on, hosted by Unipol. The event also saw the launch of an excellent new paper on International Students and Factors Affecting Accommodation in the UK. When it comes to demand from home students, the naysayers were wrong in 2020 and […]
'Good Progress' on Research Excellence Framework Panel Diversity
'Good Progress' on Research Excellence Framework Panel Diversity
Female representation now proportionate to UK academia as a whole, even if ethnic minorities still fall short.
EU Higher Education Staff and Students in the UK
This briefing examines the contribution of EU staff and students to higher education and research throughout the UK and across disciplines and highlights the challenges associated with replacing the Erasmus+ programme.
Academic Freedom Must Include the Right to Criticise Employers
England's free speech bill should outlaw gag orders that stifle revelations of bad practice, says an anonymous author.
Threat to Pull UK out of Horizon Europe 'disproportionate'
Obstacles to finalising association agreements for EU's research programme now removed, say continental observers.
Stories, Statistics, and Authenticity in Health Communications
Stories, Statistics, and Authenticity in Health Communications
As the pandemic worsened in the United Kingdom during spring 2020, political disputes turned in a strange direction. The UK government started to claim that the UK’s Covid-19 statistics could not be compared with any other country.
What Does 'Levelling Up' R&D Look Like in the UK?
It is good that the authors of HEPI’s report ‘Regional Policy and R&D’ note that the UK, by most agreed measures, is significantly unbalanced economically (in terms of income, productivity and economic growth).
How Higher Education Needs to Fit into Lifelong Learning
Graeme Atherton, Director of the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON), University of West London and Gordon Marsden, Shadow Minister for Higher and Further Education and Skills from 2015 to 2019. You can find Graeme and Gordon on Twitter @NEONHE @GordonMarsden. Lighter days, brighter COVID statistics and the tremendous NHS achievement of mass vaccination across the […]
If the Government is Serious About 'global Britain', Why is It Cutting Research Funding?
If the Government is Serious About 'global Britain', Why is It Cutting Research Funding?
Vital international scientific work, including studies into how viruses spread, is being jeopardised by short-sighted cuts, says Prof Fiona Tomley
Mary Rose Ship Had Multi-ethnic Crew, Study Shows
Analysis of remains of crew on Henry VIII's favourite warship sheds light on diversity in Tudor England
The REF's Singular Focus on Excellence Limits Academic Diversity
Research assessment exercises in the UK ostensibly serve to evaluate research, but they also shape and manage it. The author argues that the REF promotes a narrow vision and calls for a wider distribution of research funding to prevent fields being captured by dominant academic cultures.
Vaccine Success Makes UK Attractive to International Students, Poll Finds
A survey reveals Britain is a more popular destination for studying than the US, Canada, Australia and Germany.
Radical Rethink of UK's Excellence Frameworks is Needed
Merging metrics for the REF, KEF and TEF would free up time for academics to become researchers once again, says Robert MacIntosh.
Leicester University May Strip Professor of Title over Social Media Barbs
Leicester University May Strip Professor of Title over Social Media Barbs
Peter Armstrong, 81, has been critical of management's financial competence and 'bullying' tactics
Capitalism Won't Save Us from Covid, No Matter What Boris Johnson Might Think
Capitalism Won't Save Us from Covid, No Matter What Boris Johnson Might Think
His claim that 'greed' was the driver behind the UK's vaccine success ignores the huge role of state funding, says economics professor Mariana Mazzucato.
Britain's 'Brutal' Cuts to Overseas Aid Put African Science Projects in Peril
Lifesaving research on fighting drought and climate change at risk after snap decision to halt crucial funding.
UK's Drastic Cut to Overseas Aid Risks Future Pandemics, Say Sage Experts
UK's Drastic Cut to Overseas Aid Risks Future Pandemics, Say Sage Experts
Major research projects will be cancelled, including those designed to head off future disease threats, warn scientists.
The UK Will Never Become a 'Science Superpower' if it's Cutting Research Budgets
The government promised to increase funding for vital scientific R&D to 2.4% of GDP - but its target is already slipping.
Sci-Hub: Police Warn Students and Universities Against Using 'the Pirate Bay of Science'
Sci-Hub: Police Warn Students and Universities Against Using 'the Pirate Bay of Science'
Sci-Hub has been described as "the Pirate Bay of science", but often receives praise for opening access to research.
Next Steps for REF? We Need to Repair the Sector's Health First
A while ago I was invited to speak at the Westminster Forum in a panel session entitled “Research environments in the REF – stimulating positive cultures and wellbeing, academic independence and interdisciplinary research“...