The OfS’s fine on Sussex is a blow against free speech, not for it
The OfS’s Sussex ruling exposes the politicisation of free speech regulation and the erosion of university autonomy.
HEPI Guest Post
How a graduate levy on employers could help pay for higher education
The Higher Education Policy Institute is today publishing a new paper, Increasing Employer Support for the Tertiary Skills System in England (HEPI Report 189) by Professor David Phoenix, Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University. The report argues that, despite being one of the primary beneficiaries of our tertiary skills system, many employers…
Increasing Employer Support for the Tertiary Skills System in England
Providing skills and expertise applicable to the workplace has always been a central component of universities’ provision. However, repeated government initiatives to involve employers more actively in the skills system over the past 60 years have shown few lasting successes. In this paper, Professor David Phoenix reflects on past initiatives…
Social capital and the degree awarding gap: spaces, places and relationships
Despite sector-wide efforts, the Black-white awarding gap is widening—with social capital emerging as a powerful lever for change.
Another year, another teacher supply crisis…
Teacher shortages persist in 2025, but improving working conditions, student loan reform and key worker housing could drive change.
Launch of the Commission on Students in Higher Education: Unpicking the connections between teaching, funding and student outcomes
A new Commission invites student-centred evidence on funding, teaching and outcomes to influence the DfE’s HE Review.
Bank holiday reading: Flying the Nest in the wrong direction – How we can attract our ‘lost boys’ back into HE
Male disengagement from higher education is rising, prompting urgent calls for targeted reforms like shorter loan terms and better support.
In memoriam: Professor Claire Callender OBE
OBITUARY Claire Sorrel Callender By Simon Marginson * Professor Claire Callender OBE, who held joint professorships at UCL Institute of Education and Birkbeck, University of London, died at home amid her family on Tuesday, 15 April, after the cancer which developed in one lung and was in remission had moved…
Bank holiday reading: Government control of US universities
US universities face sweeping federal controls under 'Project 2025', prompting lawsuits and fears over academic freedom and funding.
Tackling accent bias in Higher Education could improve students’ success, sense of belonging, and wellbeing
One in three students fear their accent could harm future success, yet accent bias remains largely unaddressed in higher education.