David Kernohan is Deputy Editor of Wonkhe. Until June 2016, he worked at Jisc as a programme manager and senior codesign manager, after being seconded from HEFCE in 2006. He has also worked for the University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales). As Associate Editor, David has responsibility for the development and delivery of a variety of editorial content. His key areas of wonkishness include higher education data, graduate employment, teaching quality enhancement policy, funding policy, sector agency politics and history, and the use of technology in higher education
1,579 pieces
Newest first, since February 2011 · page 1 of 79
· Comment
If not university then what?
New data from DfE shows just how limited the options outside of higher education really are for young people. David Kernohan reads along
· Wonk Corner
A slightly better outlook for graduate jobs
ISE’s 2026 student recruitment survey paints a picture of a graduate job market in flux
· Comment
Educational needs are a higher education issue
As the schools system tries to get to grips with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, it turns out the higher education sector might have a lot to say. David Kernohan tracks learning needs into higher education
· Wonk Corner
Another reminder about in-year student data
It is coming, and people would really like you to be ready
· Explainer
Autonomy for the people
UK universities are protective over their autonomy. But what is autonomy, why is it so important, and what does it mean in practice? David Kernohan asks the questions.
· Wonk Corner
Academic redundancy and the University Commissioners
The first ever academic redundancy happend as recently as 1988
· Wonk Corner
Finances still are tight in Scotland too
New SFC reports paint a bleak picture
· Wonk Corner
Espionage alert sees MI5 take an interest in Chinese research collaboration
The security services put links between the China General Technology Research Institution and Chinese espionage into the public domain
· Wonk Corner
Burnham’s quiet pledge
Was there something more substantial in the PM’s big speech for the sector?
· Wonk Corner
Graduates now cover 84 per cent of the cost of a degree
The effects of little-noticed threshold freezes
· Wonk Corner
A reinstated Unionlearn might be the missing piece of the LLE puzzle
It turns out that the people that advocate for workers rights might also be good at advocating for worker reskilling.
· Wonk Corner
Mission impossible?
Has a long-standing truce in the relationships of our mission groups broken down?
· Comment
It turns out the English higher education market is pretty strange
How does our market based higher education system in England work – as a market? David Kernohan gets into the detail
· Policy Watch
Counting the cost of teaching higher education in England
Last seen around the time of the Augar review, KPMG has updated work on the costs of teaching. DK finds evidence of cost cutting everywhere
· Data
Can a dashboard solve higher education planning?
OfS has built one dashboard to rule them all – DK has thoughts
· Comment
Higher education finances are “under review” – but what does that mean?
It is the Treasury that gets to decide on any changes to sector funding, and it is the state of public finances that determines that there will be no major rethink. David Kernohan has been listening to the chancellor
· Wonk Corner
Data from the 28th day of clearing shows some concerning trends
There are very much winners and losers today
· Wonk Corner
Will a graduate jobs roadmap show us the right way?
A Universities UK report makes that case for supporting graduates into employment
· Wonk Corner
Professional and support staff need visibility and recognition
A new report argues for better jobs and better support in higher education
· Policy Watch
We’re very sorry, and we won’t do it again
The Office for Students had a lot to learn from the recent high court judgement. David Kernohan looks at how it is trying to start that