The Wonkhe Show

This week on the podcast Universities UK’s much anticipated “blueprint for change” is out – is a new 70 per cent participation target the right one?Plus The Times reports that fees might be going up, Hidden History recalls university leaders trying to get the attention of government, and Keir Starmer has been in Brussels – will he give way on fees and youth mobility?With Rose Stephenson, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Higher Education Policy Institute, Andy Youell, HE data and systems specialist, Livia Scott, Partnerships Coordinator at Wonkhe, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.A bluffer’s guide to the Universities UK blueprint for HE policy under LabourA blueprint for change needs students at its centreUniversities UK has a plan to fix research fundingFees of £10,500 would be a return to the policies of 2017The poverty gap between students and the universities they attend is getting widerStudents have unrealistic expectations of the financial support universities can offer themStarmer vows to turn page on UK’s relationship with the EU

This week on the podcast bits of the UUK blueprint on funding the sector have emerged - we evaluate what’s emerged so far. Plus we ask whether closure of courses at ABA is a coalmine canary, a debate is hotting up over workload and Hidden History dives into the duopoly.With Ben Ward, Chief Executive at University of Manchester Students’ Union, Meg Price, Senior Policy Manager at Public First, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.Universities will be told to “double down” on sharing thingsWhy do we all work such long hours?Staff are working dangerously long hours, and their employers should be concernedPreventing staff burnout makes financial as well as compassionate senseApplied Business Academy to close all higher education coursesThe NHS productivity puzzle: Why has hospital activity not increased in line with funding and staffing?Tomorrow’s teachers: A roadmap to get Gen Z into the classroom

This week on the podcast over the summer the government paused implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act - but should it have, and what will happen next? Plus international visa application data for August is out, Hidden History looks at the competition to be old, and a younger generation is doing less well than their parents.With Chris Husbands, Director at Higher Futures, Steph Harris, Director of Strategy, Insight and Member Engagement at Universities UK, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University, and presented by Mar Leach, Editor in Chief at Wonkhe.Nobel laureates join campaign to save university free speech actAugust student visa applications are down 17 per cent on last yearThe future of higher and degree apprenticeships under LabourWould the free speech act have ushered in antisemitism?

This week on the podcast the Westminster government has broken its silence on university funding - but did it say anything?Plus OfS has been pitch-rolling on franchising, Hidden History looks back when universities had their own MPs, and there’s new research on digital student experience.With Smita Jamdar, Partner and Head of Education at Shakespeare Martineau, Ben Vulliamy, Executive Director at the Association of Heads of University Administration, James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George's University and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.Jacqui Smith's speech at the Universities UK conferenceOfS’ insight on the risks of franchising fall short at addressing the incentivesStudents are still facing issues accessing essential digital services

This week on our final show before the summer break, Labour is to introduce a Skills England bill - we discuss what might be in it, and everything else that was (and wasn’t) in the King’s speech.Plus the QAA has published its investigation into international foundation years, and DK has been making music again.With Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive at Universities UK, Aaron Porter, Chair of the Board at BPP University, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe. 

This week on the podcast the new government is shaping up - we check if it’s ship shape. Plus it's been NSSmass so we’ll work out the impact, and we’ve got new research on academic support.With Jess Lister, Associate Director (Education) at Public First, Alex Favier, Founder and Director at Favier Ltd,  David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.What can the NSS can tell us about staff pay?National Student Survey 2024Who is Jacqui Smith?Listening to what students say in the national student surveyWhat academics want from academic supportOnce you can describe an academic support system, you can begin to evaluate itHow universities are thinking about academic supportFive free(ish) things Labour could do on R&DThirty seven things Labour should do now to make things better for studentsA look at Labour’s in-tray for higher educationThe unofficial reintroduction to Patrick VallanceThe Kerslake Collection looks forward to a refreshed civic agenda for universities

This week on the podcast the party leaders have spoken out on student living cost support - did they have anything to say, and if not why not? Plus the OIA has a fresh batch of complaints to learn from, there's two new reports on international expansion, and DK has some red hot quality news.With Michelle Morgan, Dean Of Students at University of East London, Mark Bennett, Director (Audience & Insight) at Find A University, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.

This week on the podcast we have new research out on cost of living and its impact on the student experience. With no time, will students get the skills and confidence they were promised? Plus there's new public polling out on the salience of universities, the election rumbles on and Debbie's going back to the 90s.With Paul Greatrix, Registrar at University of Nottingham, Ed Marsh, Chief Executive Officer at the Tutor Trust, and Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.