The Wonkhe Show

This week on the podcast Jim, Mack and team are on a bus around the Visegrad countries where they’ve been exploring student experience, representation and rights, discounted dorms and a set of countries where students have been leading change.Plus Disabled Students UK has its access insights survey out, and we discuss changes to the Renter's Rights Bill.With Katie Jackson, Faculty of Humanities Officer at the University of Manchester SU, Seán Keaney, Academic Officer at University of Limerick Student Life, Gary Hughes, CEO at Durham SU, Mack Marshall, Community and Policy Officer at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.On Day -1 of this year’s magical mystery tour around Europe and students, the team come across plenty of protests for democracy, on Day 0 of the tour we find students in the centre of both the past and the future for Hungary, on Day 1 the team put down some roots and build some belonging at camp, on the second evening the team try to work out if they have enough points for a dorm in Slovakia, and on Day 2 the team get community building and pot roasting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast there's new polling out on the public perception of universities. Does it explain funding woes and what can be done to turn around voters’ views? Plus new HESA data shows a dramatic rise in international students, there’s a new survey out on students and sex, and David Kernohan reads the Lifelong Learning Higher Education Fee Limits bill so you don’t have to.With Helen O’Sullivan, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost at the University of Chester, Johnny Rich, CEO at the Engineering Professors’ Council, James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor in Chief at Wonkhe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast we interrogate UCAS end of cycle data - what is going on with demand for higher education? Plus the Sutton Trust has new research out on the impacts of the cost of living crisis on students, and the Lords are leaping over student loan reform.With Clare Marchant, Chief Executive at UCAS, Amatey Doku, Consultant at Moorhouse Consulting, Sunday Blake, Associate Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast new universities minister Robert Halfon has written to vice chancellors with new priorities, and our guests analyse the content. Plus UCU have announced 18 days of strike action, and sector mission groups are calling for a review of the Office for Students. With Mary Stuart, Director of Leadership Development at Minerva, Andy Westwood, Professor of Government Practice at the University of Manchester, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor in Chief at Wonkhe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast we’re in Münster, Germany for the Wonkhe SUs study tour. Jim and guests from the bus trip discuss the HE policy year ahead, drugs on campus, and what we might learn from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Plus DK dives into the UCAS end of cycle data.With India Ellis, President at Lancaster SU, Alexander Robinson, President at the SU Bath University, Gary Hughes, CEO at Durham SU and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week in a special seasonal episode of the show we travel to Toronto, Canada to meet with sector experts Higher Education Strategy Associates. Alex Usher and his team chat international students, student mental health, predictions for 2023 and the collapse of a university - and how to avoid it happening again both in Canada and in the UK.With Alex Usher, President at Higher Education Strategy Associates, Tiffany McLennon, Research Analyst at HESA, Jonathan McQuarrie, Manager Academic Planning at HESA, Mike Ratcliffe, academic registrar and sector historian and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.Alex Usher’s One Thought to Start Your Day blogAlex’s commentary on Laurentian UniversityThe Walrus: The Shadowy Business of International EducationWonk Corner: A crackdown is likely still coming on international students Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special seasonal edition of the Wonkhe Show, we discuss how you can contribute to the higher education debate by writing for the site, the importance of communicating academic and professional insights to wider audiences, and we take you inside our editorial process - which is all about clear arguments and diverse perspectives.With Adam Matthews, Senior Research Fellow at the School of Education at the University of Birmingham, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe.Higher Education Policy into Practice (Online) PGCertWriting for Wonkhe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on our final proper show before the break, we’ve published polling on students experience of earning while learning - is a return to “full time” study possible? Plus OfS has a new strategy, the OIA has some learning from complaints, and we look ahead to the 2025 spending review.With Shahid Omer, Director of Policy at Universities UK, Diana Beech, Chief Executive Officer at London Higher, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London, and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe. And keep an ear out over the break for a special edition of the show.Latest from Belong – students are earning, but what are we learning?Every student on every placement should be paid for their labourThe realities of student transferThe OIA rides to the rescue on university restructuresComplex and insufficient – Scottish student income doesn’t match the expenditureThe Office for Students’ proposed new strategy for 2025–30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast there’s budget news from both Wales and Scotland - why are governments finding it so hard to stick to commitments on student financial support? Plus OfS has temporarily “closed” its register as the financial crisis intensifies, and Radio 4’s File on Four has been looking at international recruitment.With Beccy Freeman, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at University of Warwick, Jonathan Grant, Director at Different Angles, Livia Scott, Partnerships Coordinator at Wonkhe, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.File on 4: The International Student ScandalWe need to look at representation ratios as well as awarding gapsHate to say we told you soIt’s time for a legislative response to student suicideAnother brutal budget in Scotland – for universities and studentsWales ditches Diamond and robs students to pay universitiesOfS temporarily closes entry to the register Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast the government is to “get Britain working” - but what role will higher education play in the plans? Plus there are big divides between international and home students in this year’s PTES, and proposals for a transformation fund to help universities change what they do and how they work.With Shane Chowen, Editor at FE Week, Roscoe Hastings, Director of Teaching Excellence and Enhancement at University of Exeter, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe, MIke Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.Getting Britain Working (except for students, as usual)How skills, careers, and industrial policy fit togetherA higher education transformation fund would catalyse university reformAnother year, another PTESWorld Skills Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast the sector’s financial woes continue - just how bad is it and are regulators on top of the problem? Plus there’s a new report out on subject cold spots, and student housing is back in the news.With Gavan Conlon, leader of the Education and Labour Market teams at London Economics, Sally Burtonshaw, Director of the Education Practice at Public First, James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.Do we need a league table of scholars produced by Silicon Valley?There are cold spots in arts, humanities, and social sciences provisionIs it reasonable to expect higher education institutions to be more business-like?Governing bodies need to prepare and plan now for a different futureVAT is not always the barrier to shared services that it is thought to beUniversities need a plan to manage future HE provision. So does the governmentThe regulator does not have a handle on the financial state of English higher education Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast live from the Festival of Higher Education in London, England is grappling with Labour’s longer-term aspirations for higher education - we try to figure out what it wants. OfS wants to silence the “boomers”, regional access and participation planning is coming and we dive into the history of our venue for the festival, Senate House.With Vicki Stott, Chief Executive Officer at the Quality Assurance Agency, Alistair Jarvis, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Partnerships and Governance) at the University of London, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.Alex Usher’s One Thought to Start Your DayHow to better understand students’ sense of belongingUniversities may be a priority for reform but they are not a priority for investmentSome providers are cutting financial support for students – with OfS’ blessingAccess and participation planning gains a regional dimensionBridget Phillipson has set out the government’s priorities for HE reform Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast the Westminster government has announced a fee increase - but will it be enough, and can universities even impose it?Plus the government is on a “renewed drive for efficiency” in universities, and we consider the implications of the results of the US Election.With Brooke Storer-Church, Chief Executive Officer at GuildHE, Johnny Rich, Chief Executive at the Engineering Professors’​ Council and Push, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.Bridget Phillipson increases fees by 3.1 per centAn increase in maintenance loans gets blunted by fiscal dragFees are going up to £9,535. Or are they?Seizing the current policy moment – from cost-savings to radical efficiencyCollaboration is already baked in to the sector, and we need to see more of itDeeper collaboration key to securing the future of UK higher education Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast we pore over Rachel Reeves’ first budget and consider the implications for universities. We also think about students’ finances as bus fares and the minimum wage both rise. Plus OfS has been rattling its sabre on consumer rights—but is the sector taking any notice?With Andy Westwood, Professor of Public Policy, Government and Business at the University of Manchester, Mary Curnock Cook, serial sector non-exec and former UCAS CEO, 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.Everything in the Budget for higher educationStudent bus travel should be freeMore consumer rights cases emerge from OfS and NTSThe minimum wage is going up. Will maintenance loans rise to match it?The value of historyDfE to stop grading English schools based on proportion of Russell Group students Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast student numbers are set to decline in England after 2030 - we discuss the implications. Plus rumours are swirling over next week’s budget, the TaxPayers’ Alliance has turned its attention to VC pay, and there’s a new report on international student perceptions of different destinations.With David Duncan, Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary at University of Glasgow, Selena Bolingbroke, Principal at the Building Crafts College, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.The demographic tide is turning, but university remains popularThe UK will need to do more to reassure international applicants if it wants to remain a first choice destinationTPA: University Rich List 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast we look at the latest graduate recruitment trends as the Institute of Student Employers reveals a 60 per cent surge in applications per vacancy.Plus OfS is to survey the prevalence of sexual misconduct, and there’s new NSS data on satisfaction by student characteristic.With Julie Sanders, Vice Chancellor and Principal at Royal Holloway, University of London, Joe Cooper, Director of People and Culture at University of East London, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London, and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.What does the graduate jobs market look like right now?A league table on sexual misconduct could be comingNSS 2024 – results by student characteristicsRoyal Holloway's Campus Unity WeekThe Finnish Student Health and Wellbeing Survey (KOTT) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast it’s possible to predict a student’s wellbeing using mental health analytics - but what are the ethics and implications? Plus Labour’s new legislation for improving the rental market has been discussed in Parliament, Hidden History looks at a push for higher technical skills, and there’s going to be a new International Education Strategy - we discuss what should be in it.With Ben Jordan, Director of Strategy at UCAS, Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s University of London, and presented by Mark Leach, Editor-in-Chief at Wonkhe.Data can help predict where students are struggling with wellbeingWon’t somebody think of the landlords?Ten things that could feature in a new International Education StrategyUniversities can build trust through creative public engagement  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast Team Wonkhe has been at Labour Conference in Liverpool - we discuss what was and wasn’t said about higher education.Plus there’s news on skills (and in particular Level 7 apprenticeships), Hidden History looks at how HE came to be publicly funded, and Wales’ new tertiary regulator has a plan.With Pam Macpherson Barrett, Head of Policy and Regulation at the University of Leeds, Aaron Porter, Chair at BPP University and Deputy Chair at Goldsmiths, University of London, Mike Ratcliffe, Academic Registrar at City St George’s, University of London, Michael Salmon, News Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Mark Leach, Editor in Chief at Wonkhe.Students should expect less of universities and more of everyone elseMore sharp suits than a Burton’s windowThe Jacqui Smith doctrineWho should pay for relief for students and universities?A strategic plan for Medr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.