BLOG INDEX
News round-up: Academics go on strike over pay and conditions
The strikes at half of the UK’s universities dominate this week’s news round-up – while new figures show that institutions are competing fiercely for a shrinking band of 18-year olds UCU says some universities are using ‘highly questionable tactics’ as...
Higher education and the election: the main party manifestos compared
Professor GR Evans takes a look at what the three major political parties have planned for higher education For those of us interested in higher education, one of the most eagerly-awaited aspects of the manifestos was how they would deal with the...
News round-up: Female academics rise through the ranks more slowly
Female academics are less likely to reach senior positions than male ones, and since the referendum, there’s been a big rise in EU academics leaving the UK Gender not children 'holds women academics back' BBC, 17/10/2019, Hannah Richardson Women academics do...
News round-up: Nearly a quarter of English universities are in deficit
In this week’s news round-up, the number of English universities with operating deficits has risen to 32 – but the economy sees a net benefit from overseas students who stay Open University gave away £13 million in severance payments last year despite claiming...
News round-up: More strikes are on the way as UCU members vote for industrial action
University staff are to strike over pensions, pay and working conditions – and an imminent general election casts uncertainty over higher education policy December election puts UK policy progress on hold Times Higher Education, 01/11/2019, Simon Baker News...
News round-up: House of Lords warns of the impact of tuition fee cuts
Augar’s recommendation of cuts to tuition fees could be devastating unless government makes up the shortfall, says a House of Lords committee – and the OfS could begin fining universities if they carry on making unconditional offers Tuition fees cut could be...
A robust analysis of the crisis in universities
Professor David Midgley reviews English Universities in Crisis: Markets without Competition, by Jefferson Frank, Norman Gowar and Michael Naef The policy objectives against which this book measures the effectiveness of the current system for funding and...
Insecure academics – just how much do universities rely on casual teaching staff?
A Freedom of Information request from the University and College Union reveals a reluctance by universities to share information about their use of teaching staff on hourly contracts Casual staff have always played an important role in university teaching. Many...
News round-up: universities face an uncertain financial future
Vice-chancellors have been sharing their concerns that some universities may face insolvency, while Robert Halfon MP says too many students are studying academic degrees Opportunity and risk: universities prepare for an uncertain future The Guardian,...
CDBU Annual Lecture 2017 now available
We are pleased to report that Martin Wolf's lecture: Uses and Abuses of Economics in the Debate on Universities is now available for download here: Wolf_CDBU_lecture_26Jan2017. For a synopsis, see previous post.
CDBU Response to REF Review
In December, Jo Johnson, the Universities and Science Minister, launched a review of university research funding. The goals of the review appear well-aligned with those of CDBU: ‘to cut red tape so that universities can focus more on delivering the world-leading...
CDBU’s Response to the Green Paper
The Council for the Defence of British Universities (CDBU) today submitted its response to the Green Paper "Fulfilling our Potential: Teaching Excellence, Social Mobility and Student Choice". We undertook this exercise in good faith and with good will since the focus...
CDBU Launch Meeting at the British Academy
BY Gordon Campbell (University of leicester) CDBU will be formally launched at an Inaugural Meeting at the British Academy next Tuesday, 13 November. Drawing up the list of those invited to attend this initial meeting has not been easy: the space available to us is...
News round-up: The threat to the future of Erasmus+ – and why academia is a damaging environment for mental health
The government’s Brexit withdrawal bill saw defeat for an amendment requiring the government to continue the UK’s participation in the Erasmus + exchange scheme Fears for future of private university after recruitment ‘pause’ Times Higher Education, 10/01/2020,...
News round-up: Female academics rise through the ranks more slowly
Female academics are less likely to reach senior positions than male ones, and since the referendum, there’s been a big rise in EU academics leaving the UK Gender not children 'holds women academics back' BBC, 17/10/2019, Hannah Richardson Women academics do...
News round-up: Jo Johnson resigns – and another strike could be on the way
Once again, the country finds itself without a universities minister, while plans to allow EU nationals to stay for only three years in the event of no deal could hit student recruitment Ucas accused of abusing its position with debt firm advert The Guardian,...
News round-up: Casual academics are doing huge amounts of unpaid work
Academic staff on casual contracts do twice the amount of work they are paid for, and a member of the House of Lords hopes to outlaw essay mills Scientists quit Nobel-winning project over authorship dispute Times Higher Education, 05/07/2019, David Matthews A...
Britain has one of the best higher education systems in the world. So what did Jo Johnson do to cheerlead us?
Professor Jo Wolff goes hunting for positive remarks from Jo Johnson about universities – and offers some advice to successor Sam Gyimah ‘Farewell unis and science’, tweeted Jo Johnson, channelling Private Eye’s E.J. Thribb. Academics were astonished by such an honest...
Book review: A university education by David Willetts
Professor GR Evans finds much that is self-justifying and sometimes misleading in a new book by former universities and science minister David Willetts David Willetts defends himself more than once about the purpose of this book. He dismisses the possibility that it...
Jo Johnson: an end of term report
Professor DVM Bishop bids a not-so-fond farewell to universities minister Jo Johnson. So Jo Johnson is gone, brought down by poor judgement demonstrated by, first, the appointment of Toby Young to the Board of the Office for Students, and...
New government proposals could lead to an influx of Trump University-style providers, the CDBU warns
The Council for the Defence of British Universities (CDBU) has warned of the dangers posed to higher education by opening the sector to private providers without adequate scrutiny. There is a real risk, it says, that the loosening of controls proposed by government...
News round-up: Labour could cap number of private school students going to university
As figures show that half of young people now go to university, Labour has announced plans to limit the number of students universities can accept from private schools UUK president aims to show degree value ‘not all about money’ Times Higher Education,...
News round-up: Education secretary backs a review of university admissions
A mixed bag this week: Gavin Williamson supports the OfS review into university admissions, a record number of disadvantaged pupils are winning university places and universities are likely to face delays to funding when the UK leaves the EU Ethicist warns...
News round-up: A review of the admissions system is under way – could this mean the introduction of post-A-level applications?
University admissions, drop-out rates and grade inflation are all in the news – and a vice-chancellor is sacked for gross misconduct Swansea University sack vice chancellor and dean of management school for gross misconduct Wales Online, 26/7/2019, Sion Barry...
News round-up: Two in five school leavers in England apply for university places this year
In England, record numbers of school leavers apply to university – and a record proportion of students are awarded first-class degrees England university applications hit record numbers BBC, 11/07/2019, Anon Record numbers of 18-year-olds in England have...
New DAPs anyone? Is the proposed multiplication of types of degree-awarding powers a good idea?
Preamble: The Higher Education and Research Bill will reach undergo line-by-line examination in the House of Lords on 6th March, when it reaches the Report Stage. This post is the third in a series of opinion pieces by G. R. Evans, reflecting on the Amendments tabled...
The mysterious letters in the library
Opinion Piece by G. R. Evans The Higher Education and Research Bill has now had seven sessions before the Lords in Committee, ending on 30 January. As Lord Willetts acknowledged, it has become ‘famous’ for the sheer number of ‘letters’ promised to various Peers at the...
Uses and Abuses of Economics in the Debate on Universities
Report on CDBU Annual Lecture 2017 by Dorothy Bishop Last night, Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator at the Financial Times, delivered a splendid lecture with the title “Uses and Abuses of Economics in the Debate on Universities”. It is not possible to do this...
The definition of a university: how many new providers fit the bill?
Rapid reaction to the House of Lords debate on the Higher Education and Research Bill by G.R. Evans The headline-grabbing result of the first session of the House of Lords in Committee on 9 January was a vote which defeated the Government. By a majority of 248-221 the...
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Augar was a damp squib – here’s a better way to manage student finance
Norman Gowar was unimpressed by the Augar Review’s recommendations on student finance. He lays out an alternative proposal that would work for students, universities and taxpayers It is sad that the government’s attempts to marketise universities received scant...
A robust analysis of the crisis in universities
Professor David Midgley reviews English Universities in Crisis: Markets without Competition, by Jefferson Frank, Norman Gowar and Michael Naef The policy objectives against which this book measures the effectiveness of the current system for funding and...
University places are up for grabs in Clearing – but students are not the winners
The fall in applications has led to fierce competition between universities, a drop in income and an uncertain future for both students and staff, argues Professor GR Evans The A-level results are out. Applicants are getting to grips with fending for themselves in...
English higher education in pursuit of income: the consequences
Guest post by Prof G.R.Evans In the last few years there have been radical changes in the way English higher education is funded and regulated. That has had negative consequences not only for students but also at the receiving end of funding, where higher education...
News round-up: Universities must make clear that intimidation of academics is unacceptable, Gavin Williamson warns
Strong words from the education secretary on free speech, and new figures show that two in five 18-year-olds now apply to university Gavin Williamson gives universities final warning on free speech The Times, 07/02/2020, Rosemary Bennett The education secretary...
News round-up: Oxford University professor accompanied to lectures by security guards
Attacks on free speech at our oldest university – and a revelation that there are no black academics in the most senior managerial ranks in UK higher education Oxford University professor given security guards for lectures after threats from transgender...
News round-up: What now for universities? Brexit, changes to university funding and (maybe) an increase in R&D spend
The election result could have major implications for the higher education sector, including the possibility of recruitment challenges in the wake of Brexit UK universities face up to Brexit after Tory election win Times Higher Education, 13/12/2019, John...
News round-up: One institution tackles grade inflation – and a headteacher says that ‘any fool’ can get into university
Nottingham Trent University is cutting the number of firsts, while one of their academics has faced a backlash for encouraging students to register to vote Universities ‘central’ to solutions on UK regional inequality Times Higher Education, 15/11/2019, John...
News round-up: A review of the admissions system is under way – could this mean the introduction of post-A-level applications?
University admissions, drop-out rates and grade inflation are all in the news – and a vice-chancellor is sacked for gross misconduct Swansea University sack vice chancellor and dean of management school for gross misconduct Wales Online, 26/7/2019, Sion Barry...
News round-up: Casual academics are doing huge amounts of unpaid work
Academic staff on casual contracts do twice the amount of work they are paid for, and a member of the House of Lords hopes to outlaw essay mills Scientists quit Nobel-winning project over authorship dispute Times Higher Education, 05/07/2019, David Matthews A...
UKRI and OfS: happy marriage or uneasy alliance?
The roles of the previous higher education regulator, Hefce, have been split between two new bodies: UKRI and OfS. The two organisations were meant to collaborate – but how’s it working out in practice? Professor GR Evans investigates Higher Education and...
A robust analysis of the crisis in universities
Professor David Midgley reviews English Universities in Crisis: Markets without Competition, by Jefferson Frank, Norman Gowar and Michael Naef The policy objectives against which this book measures the effectiveness of the current system for funding and...
Resolving the pensions dispute: who has the power to agree?
It seemed that the pensions dispute had been resolved – and then union members voted to reject it. So who decides when an agreement has been reached, asks Professor GR Evans The press was quick off the mark to announce a resolution to the pensions dispute when talks...
Universities UK – who does it represent and what does it do?
Professor GR Evans looks at the history of an organisation that has rarely been out of the news in recent weeks – and asks what powers it really has Universities UK has been in the news recently during the upset caused by the proposals to make major changes to...
Insecure academics – just how much do universities rely on casual teaching staff?
A Freedom of Information request from the University and College Union reveals a reluctance by universities to share information about their use of teaching staff on hourly contracts Casual staff have always played an important role in university teaching. Many...
Who shall regulate the regulators?
The appointment process for the new Office for Students has been heavily criticised in a new report, writes Professor David Midgley – and it hasn’t even launched yet When the membership of the Board of the Office for Students (Ofs) was announced on 1 January 2018, a...
News round-up: Imperial takes a bold step to protect it from the worst effects of Brexit
Brexit dominates the headlines this week, as Imperial announces a partnership with a German university and a scientist warns of the ‘catastrophic’ effect leaving the EU could have on cancer research University ‘dual nationality’ plan for Brexit BBC, 10/10/2018,...
University places are up for grabs in Clearing – but students are not the winners
The fall in applications has led to fierce competition between universities, a drop in income and an uncertain future for both students and staff, argues Professor GR Evans The A-level results are out. Applicants are getting to grips with fending for themselves in...
News round-up: Half of all academics suffer from stress-related mental health problems – but there is good news for EU students
More evidence that an academic career is highly stressful, while the UKRI counts the cost as it fails to register as a charity Half of UK academics ‘suffer stress-linked mental health problems’ Times Higher Education, 06/07/2018, Jack Grove About half of all UK...
Part-time students in decline
Opinion piece by Dorothy Bishop My mother came to England after the war, having met my father when working as a translator for the British Forces in allied-occupied Germany. She’d come from an academic family in Gottingen, and it’s hard to imagine her state of mind in...
News round-up: Two in five school leavers in England apply for university places this year
In England, record numbers of school leavers apply to university – and a record proportion of students are awarded first-class degrees England university applications hit record numbers BBC, 11/07/2019, Anon Record numbers of 18-year-olds in England have...
News round-up: Reading halves the workforce at its Malaysia campus, and a benefactor showers money on lucky Oxford
The University of Reading is the latest to find that overseas campuses aren’t as lucrative as hoped, while Oxford has been blessed with a gift of £150m to create a new centre for the humanities Reading halves Malaysia campus workforce after £27 million loss...
News round-up: Universities’ financial woes deepen – and vice-chancellors fight back against government interference
The number of English universities in financial deficit is on the up, while an increase in fees for EU students could result in universities becoming even worse off Number of English universities in financial deficit increases BBC, 09/05/2019, David Rhodes The...
Denying loans to students with poor grades would only disadvantage the less well-off, argues David Willetts
In this week’s news round-up, the former universities minister attacks funding proposals that would lead to a two-tier system, while universities are becoming increasingly reliant on non-disclosure agreements Research must solve social problems, says top EU...
CDBU in the International Herald Tribune
The CDBU was recently featured in an article in the International Herald Tribune. The piece was subsequently reprinted in the New York Times. Here’s an excerpt: “Universities are among the U.K.’s most successful institutions,” Howard Hotson, chair of the council’s...
Melvyn Bragg writes about CDBU’s launch in the Telegraph
Writer, broadcaster and CDBU Founding Member Melvyn Bragg (pictured here on the right) recently wrote a short piece in the Telegraph about the CDBU’s launch last week. Here’s an excerpt: The meeting – which lasted precisely one and a half hours, as it was billed to do...
Sir Keith Thomas and Lord Martin Rees Introduce CDBU in Today’s Times Higher Education
BY Philip Moriarty (University of Nottingham) Today’s Times Higher Education leads with a cover story on the formation, motivations, and objectives of the CDBU. Two articles by Sir Keith Thomas and Lord Martin Rees – founding members of the CDBU, and past presidents...
News round-up: Tuition fees don’t all go on tuition – shock
A new study finds that the larger part of tuition fees is spent on support, admin and buildings rather than tuition – and the two-year degree makes one of its periodic reappearances Scrap REF and allocate QR funding by headcount, says professor Times Higher...
The new REF: biased, unaccountable and unchallengeable
Changes to the 2021 Research Evaluation Framework will increase the stress on academics and strengthen the hand of the managerial elite, argues Josh Robinson, lecturer in English literature at Cardiff University Two of the changes implemented for the 2021 Research...
News round-up: Ditch predicted grades for university admissions
A think tank attacks grade inflation, while a new study calls for an end to the UK admissions system based on predicted A-level grades Too many firsts risk universities’ credibility, says think tank BBC, 21/06/2018 Universities risk losing their credibility due...
No, academics are not obsessed with research – we care deeply about our students
Mary Curnock Cook, the former chief executive of UCAS, delivered an annual lecture to the CDBU on January 23. Professor Dorothy Bishop, who was there, responds to accusations that academics prioritise research over teaching Ms Curnock Cook is a brave woman: she noted...
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A robust analysis of the crisis in universities
Professor David Midgley reviews English Universities in Crisis: Markets without Competition, by Jefferson Frank, Norman Gowar and Michael Naef The policy objectives against which this book measures the effectiveness of the current system for funding and...
A fair deal for students: thoughts on the upcoming Augar Review
The government’s attempt to marketise universities has gone woefully wrong, argues Professor Norman Gowar, former principal of Royal Holloway, University of London. It’s time for a radical rethink of student funding The long-awaited Augar Review was...
News round-up: A delay to the review of university finance – Brexit gets the blame
The long-awaited review of university tuition fees might not now be published until May – and vice-chancellors make some robust criticisms of the potential cost of subject-level TEF £7,500 tuition fees plan faces Brexit delay BBC, 01/03/2019, Sean Coughlan The...
The problem with TEF – a look at the technical failings
Professor DV Bishop outlines the multiple flaws in the TEF methodology In a previous post I questioned the rationale and validity of the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF). Here I document the technical and statistical problems with TEF....
News round-up: Casual academics are doing huge amounts of unpaid work
Academic staff on casual contracts do twice the amount of work they are paid for, and a member of the House of Lords hopes to outlaw essay mills Scientists quit Nobel-winning project over authorship dispute Times Higher Education, 05/07/2019, David Matthews A...
The Augar report: everything you need to know
You might not have had the time to wade through last week’s 200-page Augar Review on higher education. Fortunately, David Midgley, emeritus professor of German literature and intellectual history at the University of Cambridge, has written an essential guide to the...
News round-up: Restrictions on student loans could result in some universities losing a third of their intake
There is controversy over leaked plans to end loans to students with three Ds or less, and one university is shutting students out of campus libraries for failing to pay rent Oxford places ban on donations and research grants from Huawei The Guardian,...
News round-up: A university credit crunch is looming
A drop in EU student numbers, a huge increase in borrowing by universities and another overseas campus closes. The financial omens for the sector are not looking good Universities raise alarm over no-deal Brexit and EU student enrolment The Guardian,...
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News round-up: One institution tackles grade inflation – and a headteacher says that ‘any fool’ can get into university
Nottingham Trent University is cutting the number of firsts, while one of their academics has faced a backlash for encouraging students to register to vote Universities ‘central’ to solutions on UK regional inequality Times Higher Education, 15/11/2019, John...
News round-up: More strikes are on the way as UCU members vote for industrial action
University staff are to strike over pensions, pay and working conditions – and an imminent general election casts uncertainty over higher education policy December election puts UK policy progress on hold Times Higher Education, 01/11/2019, Simon Baker News...
Augar was a damp squib – here’s a better way to manage student finance
Norman Gowar was unimpressed by the Augar Review’s recommendations on student finance. He lays out an alternative proposal that would work for students, universities and taxpayers It is sad that the government’s attempts to marketise universities received scant...
News round-up: Labour could cap number of private school students going to university
As figures show that half of young people now go to university, Labour has announced plans to limit the number of students universities can accept from private schools UUK president aims to show degree value ‘not all about money’ Times Higher Education,...
News round-up: Casual academics are doing huge amounts of unpaid work
Academic staff on casual contracts do twice the amount of work they are paid for, and a member of the House of Lords hopes to outlaw essay mills Scientists quit Nobel-winning project over authorship dispute Times Higher Education, 05/07/2019, David Matthews A...
‘A small cadre talking amongst themselves’: the problem with university governance
Without proper information and an understanding of wider concerns, governing bodies will continue to make poor decisions, argues Professor Norman Gowar, former principal of Royal Holloway, University of London News that some universities are in financial...
Saving adult education: how staff and students came to the rescue of a lifelong learning college
When the Vaughan Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Leicester was threatened with closure, a campaign was launched to re-open it as a community-owned college. Founder member Dr Miriam Gill looks forward to a brighter future for adult education in the...
Universities are not like banks: why Sir Michael Barber is wrong
Sir Michael Barber, head of the Office for Students, has said that the regulator will not come to the aid of failing universities. It’s a policy that could have disastrous consequences for students, argues Professor DVM Bishop In a much-publicised speech on...
Widening access
News round-up: What now for universities? Brexit, changes to university funding and (maybe) an increase in R&D spend
The election result could have major implications for the higher education sector, including the possibility of recruitment challenges in the wake of Brexit UK universities face up to Brexit after Tory election win Times Higher Education, 13/12/2019, John...
News round-up: More strikes are on the way as UCU members vote for industrial action
University staff are to strike over pensions, pay and working conditions – and an imminent general election casts uncertainty over higher education policy December election puts UK policy progress on hold Times Higher Education, 01/11/2019, Simon Baker News...
News round-up: Labour could cap number of private school students going to university
As figures show that half of young people now go to university, Labour has announced plans to limit the number of students universities can accept from private schools UUK president aims to show degree value ‘not all about money’ Times Higher Education,...
News round-up: Education secretary backs a review of university admissions
A mixed bag this week: Gavin Williamson supports the OfS review into university admissions, a record number of disadvantaged pupils are winning university places and universities are likely to face delays to funding when the UK leaves the EU Ethicist warns...
