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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].

  • What does ‘Levelling Up’ R&D look like?

    19 May 2021 by Andy Westwood

    This blog was kindly contributed by Andy Westwood, Professor of Government Practice at the University of Manchester. Andy is writing in a personal capacity and can be found at @andywwestwood on Twitter. It is good that the authors of HEPI’s report ‘Regional Policy and R&D’ note that the UK, by most agreed…

  • Healthcare students: unsung heroes of the pandemic

    17 May 2021 by Julie Attenborough

    This blog has been kindly contributed by Associate Professor Julie Attenborough from City, University of London. She is outgoing Chair of London Higher’s Healthcare Education Group (LHEG), which provides a forum for London’s higher education institutions that teach, train or conduct research in the healthcare professions. You can find Julie on Twitter at @CityJoolz.   …

  • WEEKEND READING: How higher education needs to fit into lifelong learning

    15 May 2021 by Graeme Atherton and Gordon Marsden

    Graeme Atherton, Director of the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON), University of West London and Gordon Marsden, Shadow Minister for Higher and Further Education and Skills from 2015 to 2019. You can find Graeme and Gordon on Twitter @NEONHE @GordonMarsden. Lighter days, brighter COVID statistics and the tremendous NHS achievement…

  • Boosting regional research and development: The role of regional university networks

    14 May 2021 by Diana Beech & Peter O'Brien

    This blog has been kindly contributed by Dr Diana Beech, Chief Executive Officer of London Higher, and Dr Peter O’Brien, Executive Director of Yorkshire Universities – the umbrella bodies representing universities and higher education colleges across their respective regions.You can find Diana and Peter on Twitter at @dianajbeech and @obrienpeter72…

  • What’s on the menu for post-pandemic international strategies?

    12 May 2021 by Vicky Lewis

    This blog was kindly contributed by Dr Vicky Lewis, Founder of Vicky Lewis Consulting. She is author of a research-based report UK Universities’ Global Engagement Strategies: Time for a rethink? You can find Vicky on Twitter @DrVickyLewis. As the UK emerges from the worst of the pandemic, people are daring…

  • UK universities need to promote freedom of speech within the law

    11 May 2021 by Lucian J Hudson

    Lucian J. Hudson, Director, Advancement and Communications, Durham University, and Chair, Earthwatch Europe, was a speaker at the HEPI Annual Policy Briefing Day. He is the lead author of the Policy Exchange paper ‘Universities at the Crossroads‘. He writes in a personal capacity. You can find Lucian on Twitter @LucianHudson. The…

  • Case study: Tackling sexual violence in universities

    10 May 2021 by Sophia Hartley

    This blog was kindly contributed by Sophia Hartley, Welfare Officer at Leeds University Union. Sophia has been at the forefront of the drive at Leeds University to tackle sexual violence on campus.  You can find Sophia on Twitter @sophiahartley. The murder of Sarah Everard has awakened the nation to issues…

  • Universities and the Media

    7 May 2021 by Matthew Andrews

    This blog was kindly contributed by Dr Matthew Andrews, Secretary and Registrar at the University of Gloucestershire. You can find Matthew on Twitter @HE_MPA. On the 24 May, the University of Gloucestershire and HEPI will be co-hosting the event ‘Universities and the Media’ where we will hear from Chris Skidmore,…

  • More needs to be done to level the playing field

    6 May 2021 by Anulika Ajufo

    This blog was kindly contributed by Anulika Ajufo, Chair of Board of Governors, University of East London. I know all too well that life is not a level playing field. Although education can reduce the gulf between playing fields, levelling requires much more. I chair the board of a diverse…