In 2016 QAA appeared to be in a bad place. Reapplying for their role at the heart of the sector’s quality assurance, looking at substantial cuts to their operating budget and staffing, and asked to take on significant new roles as a result of regulatory changes – all against a background of uncertainty, with less than enthusiastic support from their key funders. A year on and things look very much brighter in Gloucester – the agency survived the regulatory cull, and look set to become the “designated body” named and granted significant power in the Higher Education and Research Act. Throughout this period, Douglas Blackstock has acted as a visible public voice for the agency adding to the weight that QAA carries in the rarefied reaches of policymaking.
This article is more than 7 years old
Douglas Blackstock
In 2016 QAA appeared to be in a bad place. Reapplying for their role at the heart of the sector’s quality assurance, looking at substantial cuts to their operating budget and staffing, and asked to take on significant new roles as a result of regulatory changes – all against a background of uncertainty, with less … Continued
This article is more than 7 years old
David Morris
Former Deputy Editor
David Morris is the Vice Chancellor’s policy adviser at the University of Greenwich and former Deputy Editor of Wonkhe. He writes in a personal capacity.