James Coe is Associate Editor covering research and innovation at Wonkhe, and a senior partner at Counterculture.
240 pieces
Newest first, since April 2020 · page 1 of 12
· Comment
Immigration is one of the most credible levers for economic growth we have – it’s time to embrace it
Higher education has spent a long time triangulating between economic reality and political mood on immigration. James Coe argues that it’s time to start tying international recruitment explicitly to economic growth
· Wonk Corner
New International Student Levy assessment is £100m worse than originally shown
Following today’s Budget the Department for Education has published a revised impact analysis on the International Student Levy (ISL)
· Comment
John Healey’s drive for a resilient economy could further squeeze universities
Tax rises, spending cuts, and little joy for the Chancellor. James Coe looks ahead to the Budget and sets out a new political agenda for the sector
· Comment
Procurement is a collaboration question too
James Coe makes the case that procurement can be the start of a new conversation on collaboration
· Wonk Corner
Andynomics can’t keep everyone happy
When it comes to economic growth Burnham can’t devolve away the hard decisions
· Comment
Lessons in collaboration from Singapore
Ahead of The Collaboration Question, James Coe looks at the University of the Arts Singapore as a model of collaboration built on purpose rather than structure
· Wonk Corner
“Bizarre meaningless guff”: the triple helix explained
The Spectator hates it, Andy Burnham loves it, but what is the triple helix approach to innovation?
· Comment
What plagiarism is and what plagiarism isn’t
Plagiarism is easily defined and difficultly applied. James Coe looks for nuance.
· Wonk Corner
The official introduction to Chris McDonald
As roles are formally announced James Coe and DK take a look at the life and times of Chris McDonald, the new Minister for Science
With David Kernohan
· Comment
It was vocational and technical qualifications results day too
More care than construction and why Burnham can’t force students to wear hard hats. James Coe delves into the data on technical qualifications on JCQ results day 2026
· Wonk Corner
REF survey on final policy developments launched
As the REF submission window inches closer James Coe has the details on a new survey
· Wonk Corner
Jodrell Bank Observatory could cease all observations as STFC funding cuts announced
Satellites aren’t loved as STFC funding goes up to the sky
· Comment
For innovation, purpose matters more than machinery
However you juggle the pieces, there will always be silos within government. James Coe thinks through life after DSIT
· Wonk Corner
Farewell Patrick Vallance
Patrick Vallance has resigned. James Coe looks back on his tenure
· Policy Watch
UKRI’s new strategy: 60 day grant processing times, priority programmes, and devolved funding
Doing fewer things better and faster. James Coe and Michael Salmon summarise UKRI’s new strategy
With Michael Salmon
· Wonk Corner
What’s going on at STFC?
The “prioritisation outcomes” have arrived
· Comment
Andy Burnham goes to Washington
James Coe investigates Andy Burnham’s foreign policy and its impact on universities
· Comment
Devolution is a means not an end for research
Don’t devolve research spending without a plan. James Coe heads north with advice for Andy Burnham.
· Comment
There is no growth without universities
Andy Burnham PM cannot save the economy unless he tackles university reform. James Coe heads North with some advice
· Comment
Governance is more than process
For James Coe processes are good but it’s the people that really makes governance tick