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

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, Rose Stephenson, at [email protected]

  • An Apology for the Liberal Arts

    24 September 2024 by Annabelle Hutchinson

    A university education should do more than prepare students for jobs; it should cultivate broad intellectual and ethical development through a liberal arts education that enriches both the individual and society.

  • We wanted Here Comes the Sun, but we got Rain*: A view from Liverpool

    24 September 2024 by Nick Hillman

    Like many others with an interest in higher education policy, HEPI Director Nick Hillman swung by Liverpool for a sojourn at the Labour Party Conference. His suitcase’s wheels have never been so clean. Here’s what he found. Each person’s journey through any political party conference is different. There are a…

  • ‘Challenge conventional wisdom’: What makes an effective research group?

    20 September 2024 by Adam Lindgreen, C. Anthony Di Benedetto, Roderick J. Brodie and Peter Naude

    To ensure sustainable research streams, university management should support research groups by fostering innovation, collaboration, leadership, and resilience while addressing key questions about research goals, methodologies, and visibility.

  •  We need to talk about access to postgraduate education

    19 September 2024 by Louise Banahene

    This article was kindly authored for HEPI by Louise Banahene, Director of Educational Engagement and Student Success at the University of Leeds. We’re all familiar with the importance of widening access to undergraduate study. We have regulation to ensure there is due attention and, where there are gaps, higher education…

  • Securing the sustainability of partnership provision

    18 September 2024 by The Quality Assurance Agency, the Committee of University Chairs, GuildHE, Independent Higher Education, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education and Universities UK

    Franchising and partnership provision in higher education offer valuable opportunities for widening access, but recent scrutiny has highlighted the need for stronger governance and risk management, prompting sector bodies to develop frameworks and resources to ensure quality and protect students.

  • What is a Chancellor for?

    17 September 2024 by Gill Evans

    Chancellors, often seen as ceremonial, play varying roles across British universities, raising questions about their relevance and how they contribute to institutional leadership and reputation.