Author
Catherine Boyd
Former Executive Officer, Wonkhe
34 pieces
Newest first, since November 2016 · page 2 of 2
· Analysis
TEF and colleges: damned if you do, damned if you don’t
Catherine Boyd has been analysing why further education colleges appear to have suffered at the hands of the TEF panels far more frequently than established universities.
· People
The ‘friendly face’ of HE – a visit to AMOSSHE conference
Wonkhe’s Catherine Boyd paid a visit to the friendly and passionate atmosphere of AMOSSHE’s annual conference in Brighton, where recent policy reforms are beginning to influence practice ‘at the coal face’.
· Data
Why is there such a large gender pay gap for graduates?
Women graduates earn less than their male counterparts immediately after leaving university and in the vast majority of subjects. We pick this apart and suggest what role universities might have to play in fixing it.
With Nona Buckley-Irvine and Andrew McGettigan
· Policy Watch
From Jexit to Jemain – Jo Johnson stays as universities minister
The ministerial reshuffle proved to be less dramatic than expected, as Jo Johnson holds onto his post as Minister for Universities and Science in DfE and BEIS.
· Analysis
Universities and #GE2017 – Bath
As part of our continuing series on universities and key constituencies in the General Election, Catherine Boyd takes a look at the Conservative-Liberal battleground of Bath, home to two universities.
· Policy Watch
Lib Dem manifesto steers largely clear of universities
The Liberal Democrats are attempting to fight back, but not in higher education policy it seems. Catherine Boyd picks apart the party’s HE proposals released today in its manifesto.
· Analysis
Degrees of autonomy: universities and apprenticeship standards
Regulating degree apprenticeships and approving baseline standards is very different to the usual process of awarding degrees. Catherine Boyd asks whether the current processes blur the lines of university autonomy.
· Analysis
The road to a subject level TEF will be fraught with complication
Changing the TEF’s focus to a subject or departmental level will be a massive challenge for the sector’s combined powers of wonkery. Catherine Boyd considers the issues currently up for grabs.
· Policy Watch
NewDLHE model close to full assembly
HESA has assembled its proposed model for a new DLHE. Catherine Boyd picks out the headline changes, including open centralisation, linking to LEO data, and a new survey date.
· Policy Watch
Johnson revs up plans for fast-track degrees
Accelerated degrees are not a new idea, but Jo Johnson has put them firmly back on the agenda in the last week, launching a renewed funding drive and tweaks to the funding system to enable them. If universities are inter
· Policy Watch
Double standards, social mobility and the degree apprenticeships maze
The sector is excited about the possibility of expanded degree apprenticeships, but the regulatory hurdles involved are extensive and the policy landscape is as clear as mud. What’s going on with degree apprenticeships –
· Comment
The ancient argument, royal charters and universities
If an institution is not functioning properly or meeting regulatory requirements, why should an ancient charter exempt them from possible closure or intervention? Catherine Boyd looks a the furore over Royal Charters.
· Analysis
Creating a level playing field not as easy as it looks
The Higher Education and Research Bill has been heralded by Jo Johnson as a game changer for the fortunes of alternative providers, but there are still many barriers to sector entry, as Catherine Boyd has found out.
· Analysis
Through the perilous fight: the US election and higher education
It’s been easy to have missed amidst the email servers, sexual impropriety, and name-calling, but both US presidential candidates have interesting proposals on higher education funding. Catherine Boyd takes a look.