Are universities too safe in their vice-chancellor recruitment?
University leadership must evolve beyond tradition, embracing diversity, collective models, and cross-sector insight to meet modern demands.
Policy area: Staff, leadership and governance
Weekend Reading: Out of Eeyore’s Gloomy Place (rather boggy and sad)
Universities must embrace change and collaboration to navigate political scepticism and ensure a sustainable, inclusive future.
Redefining Academic Success: Why Career Progression Must Look Beyond Research
Traditional research metrics no longer fit a sector where educational leadership and teaching excellence increasingly drive academic impact.
Securing the Future: The case for Pension Reform in Post-92 Institutions
Portsmouth’s innovative pension reforms and cost-saving measures have stabilised finances, but systemic change remains urgently needed.
Supporting their success: Uncovering the underrepresentation of Chinese students in Higher Education
Chinese students remain underrepresented in UK student leadership - Baiyu Liu’s election at KCLSU marks a powerful first step.
Who leads our universities? Inside the recruitment of vice-chancellors
This Policy Note sets out the state of higher education leadership today. We review the backgrounds, careers and performance of university vice-chancellors. Drawing on a new dataset of 153 vice-chancellors from across the UK and at different types of institutions, we explore their tenure, their previous roles and institutions, as…
HEPI Policy Note investigates the career backgrounds of more than 150 university vice-chancellors
Nearly half of UK vice-chancellors were appointed since 2022, with those from outside the sector performing best in league tables.
Collaborative IT Services in UK Universities: A Necessary Evolution
Collaborative IT services could unlock major efficiencies and innovation across UK universities, inspired by successful US models.
Higher Education franchising is not the problem. Rogue providers and regulatory gaps are
Gaps in regulation - not franchising itself - enable abuse, and closing them is key to restoring trust in the model.
OfS free-speech absolutism allows abuse, harassment, and bullying
The OfS’s £585,000 fine on Sussex sets a damaging precedent, undermining university autonomy and protections for marginalised groups.