Skip to content
The UK's only independent think tank devoted to higher education.

HEPI Guest Post

  • SATURDAY READING: Promoting belonging during challenging times: ‘I felt heard’

    25 July 2020 by David Woolley & L:es Ebdon

    This blog was kindly contributed by David Woolley and Les Ebdon. David is Director of Student and Community Engagement at Nottingham Trent University and Les is a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire and Director of Fair Access. Both are involved with the charity Grit, Les is on…

  • Hindsight is a wonderful thing: Ofqual, gradings and appeals by Dennis Sherwood

    23 July 2020 by Dennis Sherwood

    This blog was kindly contributed by Dennis Sherwood, who has been tracking the goings on at Ofqual in relation to this year’s public exam results for HEPI. Whenever I hear that cliché, I shudder: its purpose – especially when used by a politician – is to deflect attention from a…

  • Race, white privilege and business as usual

    21 July 2020 by Kalwant Bhopal

    This blog was kindly contributed by Kalwant Bhopal, who is a Professor of Education and Social Justice, the Director of the Centre for Research in Race & Education (CRRE) and BAME Academic Lead, in the School of Education at the University of Birmingham. Her recent book, ‘White Privilege: the myth…

  • Levelling the playing field in UK music conservatoires: diversifying through decolonising

    20 July 2020 by Scott Caizley

    This blog was kindly contributed by Scott Caizley, who is an ESRC funded PhD researcher at Kings College London exploring the lived experiences of underrepresented groups in UK music conservatoires. On Thursday this week, HEPI will be publishing a major new paper about decolonising curricula. This blog explores the concept…

  • WEEKEND READING. A rejoinder to Michelle Donelan: true social mobility and higher education

    18 July 2020 by Graeme Atherton & Peter John

    This blog was kindly contributed by Dr Graeme Atherton, Director, National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) and Professor Peter John, CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of West London. @NEONHE Delegates at the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) event on the 1st July were not only surprised but shocked at the speech delivered by…

  • An unintended consequence of staff casualisation: the effect on student satisfaction

    17 July 2020 by Rhys Williams

    This blog was kindly contributed by Rhys Williams. Rhys is an Economic Consultant at London Economics (@LE_Education) specialising in the Education, Labour Markets and Competition sectors. This blog post is based on a Working Paper, available here. Rhys can be found on Twitter @rys_williams. The financial effects of the COVID-19…

  • More questions than answers: How can we effectively support the careers and employability of research staff and students?

    16 July 2020 by Gabi Binnie

    This blog was kindly contributed by Gabi Birnie, AGCAS Policy and Research Manager. AGCAS (the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services) is the expert membership organisation for higher education student career development and graduate employment professionals. @gabi_binnie @AGCAS There is a clear difference between PhD students’ career ambitions and their…

  • Successful reform of tertiary education means looking hard at secondary too

    15 July 2020 by Mary Curnock Cook

    This blog was kindly contributed to HEPI by Mary Curnock Cook, who is a HEPI Trustee, Chair of Council at the Dyson Institute, Chair of Trustees of the Access Project, a Council member at the Open University and a non-exec Director at the Student Loans Company. She can be found…

  • Halfon right: Ofqual has more to do

    14 July 2020 by Dennis Sherwood & Rob Cuthbert

    This blog was kindly contributed by Dennis Sherwood and Rob Cuthbert. Dennis runs the Silver Bullet Consultancy and is a frequent contributor to the HEPI blog. Rob Cuthbert is an independent academic consultant and Emeritus Professor of higher education management. @RobCuthbert On the 11th July, The Education Select Committee, chaired…