69 pieces
Newest first, since May 2016 · page 2 of 4
· Comment
Too much data, not enough insight
Institutions need to get to know their own data and systems a bit better if they want to realise benefits for students and their bottom line. Ant Bagshaw talks to KPMG experts from the health sector, and draws interestin
· Policy Watch
Is context everything? What 'contextual admissions' really means
There’s been a lot of heat, and not nearly enough light, in the press recently on the question of contextual university admissions. Ant Bagshaw reviews the criticisms – and the evidence.
· Policy Watch
Seeking validation: OfS and collaborative provision
Ant Bagshaw digests a new research report on validation and franchise arrangements, published by DfE alongside the new regulatory framework.
· Policy Watch
Farewell TEF, hello TEaSOF: Year 3 digested
DfE has published the specification for Year 3 of the TEF (now with a new name) and a host of other documents. Ant Bagshaw gets to grip with everything that’s changed.
· Analysis
From ladders to climbing frames: Institutes of Technology could help
Institutes of Technology, first seen in the 2017 Conservative manifesto, could be a way to better link academic and vocational pathways. Stephen Martin of PublicCo, along with Ant Bagshaw, take us through the latest poli
With Stephen Martin
· Analysis
The pensions dilemma: gambling with future generations
Ant Bagshaw talks to KPMG’s David Spreckley about the issues currently facing the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), and just what makes for a sustainable pension.
· Comment
All well at Harwell: visiting Jisc’s cyber security hub
Ant Bagshaw visits the nerve centre of the world-leading Janet academic network, and talks to the staff who keep UK institutions connected and speed up your on-campus netflix streaming.
· Comment
Below standard: grade inflation in TEF
TEF will now include a new and controversial metric for “grade inflation”. But it may turn out to be the wrong answer to the right problem, argues Ant Bagshaw.
· Analysis
Review: HE Strategy and Planning – A Professional Guide
It may be more niche than most summer reading choices, but Ant Bagshaw has been reading up on HESPA’s latest publication on strategic planning in higher education.
· Analysis
All aboard the USS pension deficit
The USS pension fund deficit is not exactly news, but the latest round of headlines only adds to the stink of intergenerational unfairness that surrounds universities. Ant Bagshaw unpicks the numbers and the politics.
· Policy Watch
Roll up, roll up for subject level TEF
As the government announce subject level TEF pilots, Catherine Boyd digs into the specification to find out what this new frontier for TEF is all about. Apply, if you dare.
With Catherine Boyd
· Analysis
Any other business – Are governors asking the important questions?
Ant Bagshaw spoke to Andrew Bush, an experienced Advisor and Internal Auditor with KPMG, to get his take on how universities could deal with the most pressing issues for their governors.
· Comment
It’s time to stop conflating the Russell Group with the ‘best’
We introduce a new Friday segment… Ant rants! Our own Ant Bagshaw takes issue with those wonks who use the Russell Group as a proxy for selective or elite universities.
· Analysis
Preparing your university for a visit by Donald Trump
With a snap visit to the UK by US President Donald Trump now on the cards for the coming weeks, we ask how universities will decide whether or not to host the divisive but powerful figure.
With Mark Leach
· Analysis
Fun with flags (pt 2): How did metrics work in TEF outcomes?
How did the TEF’s flagging system actually work and what can it tell us about the final outcomes? We’ve taken a look at the data.
With David Kernohan
· Analysis
TEF results – What the panel statements say, and don’t say
Unpicking the opaque process of the TEF panel, Ant Bagshaw turns to the data to find out why some institutions – particularly in the Russell Group, fared better than others.
· Comment
TEF results – Lies, damned lies, and press releases
If the government wants the TEF to be taken seriously, it should stop making basic errors about the exercise in its press explainers, argues Ant Bagshaw.
· Analysis
A beginner’s guide to the Teaching Excellence Framework
Have you wondered what the Teaching Excellence Framework is but been too afraid to ask? Have no fear, Wonkhe’s Ant Bagshaw has provided a comprehensive guide to this complicated and high profile exercise.
· Data
Let’s talk PoLEOtics – Like it or not, graduate salaries matter
Universities need to get to grips with the politics of Longitudinal Education Outcomes data, and fast, or suffer the consequences, suggests Ant Bagshaw.
· Analysis
Surprisingly similar – a sweep across the election manifestos
Beside their divergent views on the merits of tuition fees, there is a surprising amount that is similar across the political parties’ plans for education, with a particular focus on the FE and technical sectors, argues