New Activism or Old Politics? Sounding student reaction to HE’s crisis This free, one-day event will discuss likely student reactions to the impending cuts and rising fees in higher education.
Higher Education 
REF to be delayed by a year
In a recent speech David Willetts has confirmed that the REF will be delayed by one-year in order to “figure out whether there is a method of assessing impact which is sound and which is acceptable to the academic community”…. Read More ›
Can the government’s new ‘axe-man’ really pretend to run an independent inquiry into fees?
Former BP boss Lord Browne has been parachuted into government as the ‘lead non-executive director’. He has been asked to use his experience to help’make Whitehall work in a more businesslike manner’. Rather worryingly he apparently represents a foretaste of things to… Read More ›
Media coverage of United for Education day of action
There’s a round up of the days activity on the United for Education campaign’s website. Overall it seems to have been covered by a really pleasing range of media outlets. For instance see here and here. As further cuts gradually… Read More ›
Willetts considers private takeovers of public institutions
There’s a worrying story in the Times Higher Education this week relating to the government’s willingness to consider private companies taking over public universities. David Willetts has apparently come under intense pressure from BBP (and other private education providers) to begin an… Read More ›
Vince Cable announces cuts to funding for students
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has received a revised grant letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable, that says specific funding for 10,000 students starting university this year will be axed… Read More ›
The Universities Minister speaking at Oxford Brookes
Universities Minister David Willetts at Oxford Brookes giving his first keynote speech on education to an audience of university vice-chancellors:
Death of Educational Opportunities in Birmingham (June 21st)
Death of Educational Opportunities march on 21 June in Birmingham I am writing to give you advance notice that there is going to be a march taking place from Alpha Tower to Matthew Bolton campus of Birmingham Metropolitan College on 21… Read More ›
The Idea of the University (June 24th to 26th)
The Idea of a University will be exhibited at Mead Gallery in the Warwick Arts Centre at Warwick University, 24-26 June as part of Fierce! Festival’s Interrobang: Regeneration (see here). The Idea of a University maps the spatial and historical… Read More ›
Call for Contributions: Social Research in an Age of Austerity
A new coalition government pledges an unparalleled age of fiscal austerity and a new universities minister promises radical ‘reform’ of higher education: what does the future hold for the British university in an age of fiscal austerity? What is this… Read More ›
Middlesex Philosophy Campaign Update
For the last month and a half staff and students in the Middlesex Philosophy department have been waging a campaign against its closure. As a hugely successful department, its mandated closure by the university’s administration (background here) placed those involved… Read More ›
Lost Generation? Paying more for less
With customers queuing to get into HE, it would be irrational from a business point of view for government not to raise fees as high as it can. It is therefore almost inevitable that – urged on by the Russell… Read More ›