Nostalgia is holding Oxbridge back
Resistance to modernising Oxbridge reflects nostalgia for exclusionary traditions, despite evidence that small reforms could reduce systemic inequalities.
Blog
The HEPI Blog aims to make brief, incisive contributions to the higher education policy landscape. It is circulated to our subscribers and published online. We welcome guest submissions, which should follow our Instructions for Blog Authors. Submissions should be sent to our Blog Editor, Josh Freeman, at [email protected].
Is England really the world champion in overqualification?
England's overqualification issue stems more from a lack of middle-skill jobs than an oversupply of university graduates.
Brand or Bust: How Universities Can Thrive in the Face of Crisis
Integrating crisis management into brand strategies allows universities to turn crises into opportunities for growth and reputation enhancement.
What were we reading about higher education in 2024?
As 2024 draws to a close, Josh Freeman, Policy Manager, and the HEPI team look back on a remarkable year in higher education policy. We have a fantastic programme of events to look forward to in 2025, which you can read all about here. One of the best things about…
What does Christmas shopping have to do with higher education?
UK higher education faces a growing divide, with demand concentrating in elite institutions while regional providers face declining numbers.
Student Housing: A Question of Density
Rising student numbers and affordability pressures challenge the PBSA sector, highlighting a gap between student preferences and viable housing solutions.
Abolish SATs & GCSEs, put people’s IQs on their credit cards and ban the Harvard Women’s Rugby Team? What we were reading about education in 2024
Nick Hillman, HEPI’s Director, takes a look at three thought-provoking books covering education that were published this year. All must have prizes – Mania by Lionel Shriver The novel Mania by Lionel Shriver imagines a world in which twenty-first century US life came to be the opposite of a meritocracy. Words like ‘dumb’ and…
Civic universities must engage adult learners
Engaging adult learners through flexible, community-focused education can enhance personal growth, societal benefits, and universities' civic impact.
Weekend Reading: Keeping professional development continuous for researchers
By John Miles, Founder and CEO of Inkpath. Writing in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Iker Sainz, Josu Solabarrieta and Isabel Rubio investigate students’ tendency to drop out of sports and exercise when they go to university. They conclude that: ‘Lack of time (or dedication to…
Regional higher education partnerships: the Oxford to Cambridge ARC
The Cambridge-Milton-Keynes-Oxford Arc's growth plans emphasize infrastructure, housing, and partnerships, but highlight limited local university collaboration.