What a difference a year makes. TEF year 2 set the world alight, whereas TEF3 slipped out with nary a shrug from HE commentators. Whether it was the frequent changes to the rubric making the competition less reliable, or the strategic decisions that led to entry decisions, or even the bizarre change of name (to Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework) – we can be sure that the standing of the panel chair was not a factor.
Husbands has been a visible front-person from the start, arguing with conviction that TEF awards are meaningful and valuable. He’s combined this role as the public face of a key government HE policy with his day job at Sheffield Hallam – a post-92 university giving lie to the stereotypes and forging a distinctive, high-quality offer. A key quote from his speech welcoming delegates to the UUK conference was repeated on stage by Gyimah (#) – demonstrating the esteem he is sometimes held in.
But is TEF (TEaSOF?) still the force that it once was? Husbands’ role was to launch the exercise and provide initial credibility. These days, he takes more of a back seat, hence his lower ranking.