The Wonkhe Show

This week on the podcast we examine the government's spending review and what it means for higher education. How will the £86bn R&D commitment translate into real-terms funding, and why was higher education notably absent from the Chancellor's priorities?Plus we discuss the Post-18 Project's call to fundamentally reshape HE policy away from market competition, the startling new REF rules, and the striking rise in student term-time working revealed by the latest Student Academic Experience Survey.With Stephanie Harris, Director of Policy at Universities UK, Ben Vulliamy, Executive Director at the Association of Heads of University Administration, Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.Tooling up: Building a new economic mission for higher educationInvesting for the long term often loses out to pensioner powerWhat’s in the spending review for higher educationThe student experience is beyond breaking pointHow to assess anxious, time-poor students in a mass ageREF is about institutions not individuals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week features Jess Lister, Director at Public First, Mack Marshall, Community and Policy Officer at Wonkhe SUs, and Rille Raaper, Associate Professor at Durham University. They dive into the challenges facing UK higher education, including a critical review of the three-year degree model and its toll on student wellbeing. The discussion also highlights the need for collaboration among universities and explores the implications of Research England's new EDI action plan in tackling equity and diversity in research. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation!

This week on the podcast we examine the OfS penalty imposed on Leeds Trinity over subcontractual partnerships oversight. What does the £115,000 fine and a new proposed code of “ethical” governance tell us about decision-making at the top? Plus we discuss the government's decision to axe level 7 apprenticeships from levy funding, and explore incoming OfS chair Edward Peck's ten trends shaping the future of campus universities.With Alex Stanley, Vice President for Higher Education at the National Union of Students, Pam Macpherson Barrett, Head of Policy and Regulation at the University of Leeds, David Kernohan, Associate Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.Poor quality teaching and student outcomes. But where?The new OfS chair identifies ten trendsA code of ethical university governance is overdueShould governance reform be horizontal or vertical? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast we examine the government's brutal funding cuts to universities. What does the £108m reduction in the Strategic Priorities Grant mean for higher education, and why are media studies and journalism courses losing their high-cost subject funding?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 http://www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.Plus we discuss the independent review of student suicides, and explore new research on widening participation and regional disparities.With Shân Wareing, Vice Chancellor at Middlesex University, Richard Brabner, Executive Chair at the UPP Foundation, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.Why not take a risk-based approach to discrimination or harassment on campus?Whatuni Student Choice AwardsFor those in HE cold spots, higher education isn’t presenting as a good betA review of student suicides suggests that standards are now necessaryWhat have coroner’s reports said about student suicide?A brutal budget for strategic priorities from the Department for EducationWhy are we so embarrassed about Erasmus? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, Smita Jamdar, a partner at Shakespeare Martineau, James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe, and Roscoe Hastings from the University of Exeter dive into the implications of the UK's new immigration white paper. They tackle the reduction of the graduate route visa and its potential harm to international student recruitment. The proposed 6% levy on international fees raises eyebrows, highlighting concerns about funding and compliance. They also scrutinize Skills Minister Jacqui Smith's critique of universities, questioning financial accountability and public trust in higher education.

Paul Greatrix, a higher education expert and former registrar, Graeme Atherton, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and Livia Scott, Partnerships Coordinator at Wonkhe, dive into the financial troubles plaguing UK universities. They discuss the implications of course closures and maintenance cutbacks, alongside the controversial topic of vice-chancellor pay during fiscal constraints. The conversation emphasizes the mismatch between financial projections and reality, urging for reforms that protect students and enhance educational quality amidst a funding crisis.

This week on the podcast we discuss the financial crisis at the University of Dundee, as a revised recovery plan reduces proposed job cuts while requesting additional funding. Is this a sustainable solution for institutions facing similar challenges?Plus we look at concerning new Wonkhe and Cibyl polling on student health, and we examine how international student policies have become political battlegrounds in global elections.With Chris Shelley, Director of Student Experience at Queen Mary University of London, Rachel MacSween, Director of Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement (UK and Europe) at IDP, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.Dundee: An alternative pathway to financial recovery, Scottish Government statementLatest from Belong – students’ health is not OK, and that’s not OKCanada: The Deeper Meaning of Election 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this lively discussion, Gary Hughes, CEO at Durham SU, shares insights on university architecture and student mobility in Portugal. Khadiza Hossein, VP Education at UWE SU, dives into the challenges of faculty conflicts and effective teaching methods in Lisbon. Emillia Zirker, Student Representation Officer at Lincoln SU, reflects on student life and unique traditions in Portuguese universities, including creative rituals tied to graduation. They explore the dynamic landscape of higher education, offering a glimpse into cultural practices and innovative student-led initiatives.

Liam White, President of Surrey Students' Union, champions student advocacy and the improvement of university experiences. In this engaging discussion, he tackles the myth of the full-time student model and the pressures faced by nursing and international students. Liam also sheds light on systemic issues such as tokenistic consultation and the challenges of disability and inclusivity in education. Additionally, he emphasizes the need for student solidarity and tailored support initiatives in Greater Manchester, making a case for meaningful engagement with diverse student populations.

Mary Curnock Cook, a non-executive director in education, joins inclusion consultant Pete Quinn and Wonkhe's Mack Marshall to explore pressing issues in higher education. They discuss new research revealing a troubling trend in student regret and the need for better guidance. The conversation also covers the fallout from the collapse of the Advanced Business Academy, highlighting gaps in course delivery and oversight. Additionally, they examine widening participation disparities and the implications for disadvantaged students, emphasizing the urgent need for reform.