Maddalaine Ansell is Director of Education at the British Council. Maddalaine is a graduate of Emmanuel College, Cambridge where she studied Classics. She then studied and qualified as a solicitor practising with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and later the US law firm Sullivan and Cromwell LLP. After six years, she joined the civil service on the fast stream.
She has held a number of appointments including with the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, Home Office and BIS. She worked on the HE White Paper for the then Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts, and was appointed to Deputy Director, International Knowledge and Innovation in 2011 where she was responsible for the £375 million Newton Fund. From 2015-2018 Maddalaine was chief executive of University Alliance.
10 pieces
Newest first, since March 2015
· Comment
Sustainable international recruitment in the post-pandemic world
Ahead of the British Council’s International Education virtual festival Maddalaine Ansell takes stock of the state of international recruitment.
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Helping everyone get the most out of degree apprenticeships
University Alliance’s Maddalaine Ansell looks at progress towards the implementation of degree apprenticeships.
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The major review of HE finance must focus on the real problems
The chief executive of University Alliance recommends that the plight of mature students should be central to the expected review of higher education funding.
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Compulsory schools sponsorship must not distract from effective widening access efforts
Forcing universities to open or sponsor schools runs the risk of diverting resources away from already effective widening access activities. Maddalaine Ansell lists her objections to the government’s plans for compulsory
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Lessons from the front line of industrial strategy policy
Research, innovation and skills will all be a critical part of the government’s upcoming industrial strategy. Maddalaine Ansell worked on industrial strategy during her time in government and argues that universities mus
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Amidst the chaos, the HE Bill is a raft that can take us to calmer waters
Maddalaine Ansell of University Alliance argues that while politics is in upheaval, the HE Bill represents an opportunity for universities to find calmer more sustainable waters.
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Opportunity knocks: we must recognise talent wherever it is found
Following SMF research which shows the PM will miss his target of doubling the rates of disadvantaged students entering HE by 2020, Maddalaine Ansell argues that it’s time to turn the issue around.
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Universities are regional leaders
Devolution is a key theme of the Government’s agenda – universities must stand ready to take on a stronger leadership role. University Alliance, Wonkhe and other sector leaders today launch a new programme of work about
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Level playing fields are better than handicaps
Although the Government has committed to boosting participation in higher education amongst disadvantaged groups, will the policies enacted match the rhetoric?
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A new manifesto for UK research
As the University Alliance announce a new doctoral training alliance and report in to research and innovation, new Chief Executive Maddalaine Ansell sets out her manifesto for the future of UK research.