The Wonkhe Show

This week on the podcast a parliamentary report calls for changes to regulation on franchising – does it go far enough?Plus the think tanks are circling as Labour keeps shtum on HE policy, Jim is in Austria chatting dropping out and study speed, and creepy behaviour towards female academics is under fire.With Julian Gravatt, Deputy Chief Executive at the Association for Colleges, Sally Burtonshaw, Associate Director (Education) at Public First, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe, Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe, Maja Höggerl, 1st deputy chairwoman at ÖH Uni Graz, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.

This week on the podcast there’s a new campaign to highlight first-in-family students. Will it shift the dial on public (and political) attitudes to HE?Plus NUS attempts to bounce back at its annual conference in Blackpool, and new data on graduates’ experiences in the labour market suggests a lot of focus on hybrid working.With Smita Jamdar, Partner and Head of Education at Shakespeare Martineau, Johnny Rich, Chief Executive at the Engineering Professors'​ Council and Push, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.

This week on the podcast the Department for Education has published its annual funding letter – we work out the size and shape of the cuts. Plus there’s a call for evidence on abolishing part of the Disabled Students Allowance, and there’s a problem for providers in post-pandemic nursing.With Selena Bolingbroke, Principal at the Building Crafts College, Pete Quinn, HE inclusion consultant, James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

This week on the podcast the Home Office has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee to review the Graduate route visa - what could be on the cards come its conclusions in May? Plus UUK and UCEA are trying to pull out of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), and there’s a new tool from ONS that lets us see towns and cities’ ability to retain, attract or lose their graduates.With Mary Curnock Cook, Chair at the Dyson Institute and Pearson UK, Omar Khan, Chief Executive at TASO, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor in Chief at Wonkhe.

This week on the podcast, live from our Secret Life of Students event in London, we've published new stats and analysis on student loneliness - what can universities (and their SUs) do about this seemingly intractable problem? Plus we have highlights from our session on the campus culture wars, and we ask whether TV coverage of universities is fair and balanced in the wake of Geoff Norcott's Is University Really Worth It documentary.With Rebecca Freeman, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at University of Warwick, David Gilani, Head of Student Engagement and Advocacy at Middlesex University, Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe, Kirsty Sedgman, author of On Being Unreasonable, Smita Jamdar, Partner and Head of Education at Shakespeare Martineau, Andy Winter, Director of Student Support Services at the University of Sheffield and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

This week on the podcast Science Secretary Michelle Donelan has paid damages to two academics that she falsely accused of supporting Hamas. What next for the campus culture wars?Plus a new report finds a “growing disconnect” between students and their university experience, and there’s been an HE-free budget.With Shân Wareing, Deputy Vice Chancellor at University of Northampton, Ben Elger, Chief Executive at the Office of the Independent Adjudicator, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor in Chief at Wonkhe.

This week on the podcast only three per cent of students say they feel they have enough money. Do students need to change their expectations?Plus Australia has a new Universities Accord, there’s all sorts of international numbers floating around, and MPs debate franchising.With Paul Ashwin, Professor of Higher Education at Lancaster University, Hannah Malone, Vice President at Arts University Bournemouth Students’ Union, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

This week on the podcast the government is planning to introduce a “quality seal” for universities evidencing standards in dealing with antisemitism. But does its free speech legislation put that in jeopardy? Plus students are off to court over their Covid consumer claim, and a “welcome week” election could present headaches.With Mary Stuart, Director of Leadership Development at Minerva, Anne-Marie Canning, Chief Executive Officer at The Brilliant Club, Livia Scott, Community and Policy Officer at Wonkhe, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.

This week on the podcast the University of Bristol has lost its appeal over a student suicide case - we discuss the implications. Plus the January deadline UCAS figures are out, and we look at the rise in hours that students are spending in paid employment.(CW: Suicide, depression, mental health)With Eve Alcock, Director of Public Affairs at QAA, Ben Whittaker, Chief Executive at LSE Students’ Union, James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.