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The spirit of subservience: how the change in governance has affected academics’ autonomy
Professor David Midgley continues his look at The Governance of British Higher Education by Michael Shattock and Aniko Horvath The impact of the developments described in section I has been far from uniform. In addition to the differences in governance structure...
read moreThe governance of British universities: how we got from there to here
In the first of three blogposts, Professor David Midgley offers some reflections on The Governance of British Higher Education by Michael Shattock and Aniko Horvath, and what it tells us about the recent history of the university The question of how the state of...
read moreNews 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 has...
read moreNews 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 activists...
read moreA ‘crucible of critique’: a review of The Future of Academic Freedom by Henry Reichman
Professor David Midgley takes a look at a timely new publication that puts the current debates on academic freedom into a historical context In September 2017 it was widely reported that the Attorney General of the USA, Jeff Sessions, had told an audience of...
read moreWhat’s worse than being a casual worker in academia? Being an outsourced casual worker in academia
University of Nottingham: not so idyllic for casual workers. Image: Simmy Thomas Robert Stenson is a PhD student and casual academic at the University of Nottingham. He explains how the university’s decision to outsource its casual staff to a third party has made...
read moreNews 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, John...
read moreNews round-up: Eventually everyone will have a first-class degree
If grade inflation continues at the current rate, by 2030 all students at some universities will graduate with first-class degrees. Plus: regulation is costing universities more than £500k a year First-class degrees for all students by 2030 The Times, 27/12/2019,...
read moreNews 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 Morgan The...
read moreNews 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 strikes are...
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