PRESS RELEASES
Concerns over alleged political interference in appointment of new ESRC chair
PRESS RELEASE: FEBRUARY 9, 2022 The Council for the Defence of British Universities is deeply concerned by reports of undue political involvement in the appointment of a new Economic and Social Research Council Executive Chair, as reported in The Financial Times and...
News round-up: Office for Students confirms cuts to arts and creative subjects amid government reforms
The universities regulator, The Office for Students, has this week confirmed drastic cuts to funding for arts and creative subjects amid government plans to redirect the money to fund other "high-cost" subjects including science, technology, engineering and...
CDBU Position Paper on Academic Freedom
The Council for the Defence of British Universities is pleased to publish its position paper on Academic Freedom brought together by three executive committee members: Dr Kelli Rudolph, Professor Susan Bruce and Professor John Holmwood. The paper articulates the...
CDBU publishes position paper on Academic Freedom
PRESS RELEASE: JULY 6, 2021 The Council for the Defence of British Universities is pleased to publish its position paper on Academic Freedom brought together by three executive committee members: Dr Kelli Rudolph, Professor Susan Bruce and Professor John Holmwood. The...
CDBU announces new Chair of Trustees and responds to government “Restructuring Regime”
PRESS RELEASE: July 21, 2020 The Council for the Defence of British Universities is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Rowan Williams (Lord Williams of Oystermouth) as our new Chair of Trustees. We offer a warm welcome to Lord Williams, who we know will...
A major rethinking of policy for the HE sector is required, not a package of sticking plasters, says CDBU.
Press release: 4 May, 2020 The Council for the Defence of British Universities (CDBU) welcomes the announcement on 4 May of a government support package for universities and students. However, CDBU is concerned that what has been announced is only a short-term...
CDBU says review of university funding must be “radical”
Press release: 18 February, 2018 The Council for the Defence of British Universities (CDBU) welcomes the government announcement of a review into university funding. We hope the review will be far-ranging and go back to first principles rather than just tinker with...
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...
