216 pieces
Newest first, since February 2011 · page 7 of 11
· Comment
Making peace with uncertainty in 2022
Normal service won’t be resuming any time soon. Debbie McVitty argues that in 2022 embracing ambiguity could be more effective than hoping for the illusion of clarity
· Analysis
What’s the best way to staff a university?
In light of a major new study into the shifting staffing patterns in universities over time, Debbie McVitty argues that there are be different ways to think about how to organise a university
· Research
Wonkhe community survey 2021: a sector pulled into too many directions
Debbie McVitty dives into the Wonkhe community’s views on universities’ handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, feelings about the future of the sector, and what HE’s priorities should be
· Analysis
Wonkhe community survey 2021: equality, diversity, and inclusion
What should the HE sector prioritise to make real change on equality, diversity and inclusion in 2021-22? Debbie McVitty reports findings from the Wonkhe community survey
· Comment
Public engagement in pedagogy is long overdue
Change is coming for teaching and learning, but the public debate is threadbare. Debbie McVitty argues that conversations about pedagogy must come out of the shadows
· Comment
What will it take to convince policymakers that university leaders support the skills agenda?
Debbie McVitty finds enthusiasm for the Westminster government’s skills agenda among vice chancellors – and a desire to play a greater role in the conversation
· Research
A curriculum for a complex world – students’ views on digital literacy in the curriculum
Debbie McVitty reflects on the findings of a Wonkhe/Adobe qualitative study exploring student perceptions of the links between their curriculum, their future aspirations, and their development of digital literacy
· Comment
“I just want to know the vibe, miss” – supporting student transition
Thanks to Covid-19 school and college leavers are less prepared than usual for transition into university. Debbie McVitty explores the implications.
· Wonk Corner
Want to write for Wonkhe? Above all, make it interesting
Commentary and executive summary are very different things.
· Comment
Acknowledging institutional racism is only the first step
Universities are coming to terms with the idea of institutional racism just as it’s coming under political fire. Debbie McVitty suggests the focus should be on what helps to make change.
· Comment
Book review: The New Power University by Jonathan Grant
In The New Power University Jonathan Grant calls for universities to reimagine how they achieve their social purpose. Debbie McVitty considers the feasibility of his proposals.
· Comment
Checking privilege in the graduate labour market – can universities make a difference?
Debbie McVitty wonders whether universities have yet reached the limits of their influence on diversifying access to graduate-level employment.
· Comment
Universities should get behind students’ unions if they want to secure freedom of speech on campus
Debbie McVitty calls for funding and support for students’ unions in pursuit of the the educational purposes of universities.
· Policy Watch
What do the interim Augar response and Skills for Jobs white paper mean for HE?
Debbie McVitty digests the Westminster government’s post-compulsory skills agenda as set out in the Skills for Jobs white paper and the interim conclusion of the review of post-18 education and funding.
· Comment
To conquer Covid, universities need time and money
Debbie McVitty makes some policy proposals to help the sector get through the rest of the academic year with a bit of thought and planning and a sprinkling of government support.
· Research
Skills to Thrive – academics’ perceptions of student skills development
How are educators thinking about the range of skills students acquire during their time at university? Debbie McVitty and Mark Andrews report on the findings of a Wonkhe/Adobe survey.
With Mark Andrews
· Long read
Seven things the HE sector learned in 2020 – and what universities should prepare for in 2021
Make a cup of tea and strap in for Debbie McVitty’s review of the year, taking you to places other reviews of the year can only dream of.
· Comment
From work-ready to world-ready – why breaking down knowledge silos is the next frontier in student development
Co-production, crossing boundaries and the (hidden) curriculum: Debbie McVitty tracks emerging thinking on how universities prepare students for a complex world.
· Analysis
Who owns admissions policy and where will it end up? The government just complicated the picture
From PQA to PQO, the sector and government are at loggerheads over admissions reform, but could there be a consensus way forward underneath the political bluster? Team Wonkhe unpicks the latest drama.
With Mark Leach, Jim Dickinson and David Kernohan
· Policy Watch
Universities UK sets out Third Way for the future of admissions
The Universities UK Fair Admissions Review proposes a version of post qualification admissions. Debbie McVitty dives into the detail.