The recent UCL Policy Lab report, Shared Institutions, set out to understand what is driving the current political apathy towards universities and, crucially, what might be done about it – a question with which UUK has been grappling for some time.
In writing about the report for Wonkhe, Steve O’Neil, UCL’s Head of Public Affairs, concluded with a reference to UUK’s strategy. He said that, based on what UCL’s researchers heard from leaders in politics, higher education and wider civil society, the sector must not wait for help. Rather, it must set out a vision for change and show a willingness to deliver it. This is what UUK’s Future Universities strategy will do.
Part of a broken system
The central insight underpinning Future Universities is a deep-rooted disillusionment among the public with the direction of the country. Particularly, how public institutions, including universities, are delivering. Our research, for example, found almost two thirds of the public support the idea that “we need a big reset; the current system is beyond fixing.”
People think “the system” is broken and, in their minds, universities are part of that system.
So, when we proclaim the positive contributions universities make – to economic growth, to graduate job prospects or to their local community – many people just don’t believe it. Such claims are in direct conflict with the reality of their day-to-day experience where everything, from the cost of living to the state of the roads, points towards a nation in decline.
If we, as a sector, want to be heard when talking about all the positive contributions universities make to people’s lives, we must first meet people where they are. That means acknowledging that things need to change.
Evolution in the national interest
Rather than adopting a vague “change” narrative, UUK has thought deeply about how to tell an authentic story about the evolution of universities in the current national context.
That narrative centres on the idea that, if the UK is to renew itself over the next decade, it will need institutions that can drive growth, spread opportunity, support public services, strengthen places, and help the country adapt to technological and economic change.
This includes through teaching skills like critical thinking, problem solving and information literacy. In a world of AI, there will be a premium on the skills that studying a humanities degree helps to hone – the ability to understand people, history and ideas. Universities are the natural place to better harness the transformational potential of AI while mitigating its risks.
Against this backdrop, the enormous contribution universities make culturally, through the artists, the thinkers and the civically-minded graduates they develop will be ever more important.
We argue that universities are uniquely placed. They already contribute in all of these ways and, by bringing a sharper focus on where they can go further, they have a key role to play in a brighter future for the country.
We need the entire sector to join us in adopting this narrative and framing whenever possible. But a narrative alone is not sufficient. Simply communicating more effectively about what we do is not enough. People need to see that the sector is evolving in the national interest.
Through a series of interlinked campaigns, Future Universities will demonstrate the sector’s willingness to go further and take greater accountability in areas which, the research tells us, people feel are vital to national renewal.
Demonstrating our capacity to evolve
Work started earlier this year. Future Jobs has seen almost 30 universities up and down the country engaging with employers to understand their future skills needs and how universities should adapt to ensure graduates are ready for the jobs of tomorrow. The fact that these conversations are happening at all has already started to build advocacy among the roughly 200 employers and representative bodies from which UUK has heard.
In July, a Future Jobs roadmap will be published, containing recommendations not only for government and employers but for the sector too. Practical suggestions for how, together, we can do more to ensure graduates are equipped for successful careers.
Next month will see the launch of Future Innovators, which will focus on the role that universities have in making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow innovative businesses.
Similarly, it will see the sector holding itself to account for progress through the publication of a scorecard. In one place, you will be able to find data on things like growth in spinouts, the investment they attract, the jobs they create and whether or not they remain in the regions where they began. We will also be clear on the policy environment necessary to help the sector succeed in its endeavour to grow the positive impact of spinouts.
Later this year, Future Communities will see universities challenge themselves to engage more deeply with their local community to understand how they can be a more effective partner locally. This will help to address local challenges and make the most of opportunities that exist to drive growth in their area.
A fourth and final campaign will focus on the future needs of students and learners, again showing the sector listening and responding to their needs.
These four campaigns are united in their intent to demonstrate the willingness of universities to challenge themselves to do more by bringing forward practical solutions and actions. Each is also designed to showcase the great things that are already being delivered by students and staff in universities the length and breadth of the UK.
Proving to the public and the political classes that we can evolve, and that we’re critical to the UK’s future success, will give us licence to be heard on the future of our sector.
Informing a vision of national renewal
Building on what the sector learns from the Future Universities activity and its blueprint for change, UUK will develop a future vision: for the role universities have to play in helping the UK to renew its fortunes over the next decade, how universities need to evolve to fulfil that role and what they need from others, especially government, to do so.
Having engaged deeply with those that rely on universities in the development of that vision, the aim is then to mobilise support in realising it. Showing that universities are taking the lead on developing the big, innovative thinking around how they should evolve, not waiting for change to be done to them.
The strength of the Future Universities strategy is that it planes with the grain of what is true, and what is already happening. The sector is evolving before our eyes, reshaped not only by financial necessity but by other forces like AI and changing student demand.
Universities are not alone in facing increased scepticism. We, though, have a huge role to play in being part of the solution to the country’s challenges.
Universities are a place where students invest in expanding their knowledge and skills. Staff dedicate their lives to educating the next generation and pushing the boundaries of human understanding. Harnessing these forces for good through the institution of a university, working in true partnership with its local community, is a potent recipe when perfected.
Highlighting and visibly stepping into the role we, as universities, have to play in achieving this is how we will reset and renew our social contract.
