The Wonkhe Show Access, governance, festival vibes
Nov 12, 2025
Alistair Jarvis, Chief Executive at Advance HE, shares insights on university governance and regional collaboration. Janet Lord, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor at Manchester Metropolitan University, discusses access strategies and the civic role of universities. Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe, analyzes leadership changes impacting access policies. The trio dives into the Sutton Trust's findings on social mobility, intergenerational wealth, and the need for diverse policymaking, all while capturing the vibrant atmosphere of a London festival celebrating higher education.
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Coffee And Socials Powered The Festival Vibe
- Alistair and Janet both cited coffee as their festival highlight, showing the event's informal networking value.
- Michael Salmon also praised the social evenings, emphasising vibe over formal sessions.
Use DfE To Convene, Not Reinvent
- Do use DfE as a convener to join up advice, funding and local interventions rather than expecting it to create every new policy.
- Alistair Jarvis urges the government to focus on joining interventions so they reinforce each other.
HE Helps Mobility — But Has Limits
- The Sutton Trust report shows higher education aids mobility but also has limits and needs a tertiary approach.
- Michael Salmon highlights the report's call to widen access to selective universities and improve outcomes at less selective ones.
