Rank #1: The Hidden History of HE
We’ve been on our Easter break at Wonkhe towers, so this week we’ve got a special treat - the whole season of the Hidden History of HE in one podcast.
Find out about the university curriculum that was designed exclusively for women, the origins of the commuting university, the battle to be the oldest university, and the students at a university where most of the rules were for those that taught them - and much more!
With Nottngham Trent’s Academic Registrar, Mike Ratcliffe.
Rank #2: International, cheating, skills, demography
The government has published a new international education strategy - but is it enough given the competition? On the podcast this week we discuss the issues, as well as taking a look at Damian Hinds’ intervention on plagiarism.
We also discuss the UK’s skills slowdown, the looming university recruitment crisis, and Hidden History looks at degrees for women.
With Robin Webber-Jones, Vice Principal at The Sheffield College; Kate Wicklow, Policy Manager at Guild HE; and Minto Felix, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.
Rank #3: Grade inflation, loneliness, mergers, Peterson
Is grade inflation the problem that Damian Hinds claims it is? This week on the podcast we discuss DfE’s “intervention” on the issue, as well as research on student loneliness and the issue of institutional mergers and acquisitions.
We also cover the University of Cambridge’s withdrawal of a two-month fellowship for Jordan Peterson.
With David Morris of the University of Greenwich; Rebecca Lowe of the Institute of Economic Affairs; and Wonkhe’s own Mark Leach.
Rank #4: 5: Augar special
With Wonkhe's Editor in Chief Mark Leach; our Editor Debbie McVitty and our Associate Editor David Kernohan.
Rank #5: 3: Research, anti-semitism, social mobility, car parking
This week we discuss the government’s strategy on research and innovation and the Minister’s intervention on anti-semitism. Duncan Exley, former Director of the Equality Trust, has published a book scrutinising the UK’s social mobility problem and we chat Wonkhe's Car Parking Ranking.
With Luke Myer of Edge Hill Students’ Union; Sarah Barr-Miller of UCAS; and Wonkhe’s David Kernohan.
Rank #6: Strike complaints, access, harassment
On the show this week we discuss student complaints about last year's strike action and compensation. The Office for Students has new guidance out on access and participation plans, and there's new data on sexual misconduct on campus. Plus hidden history, our correlation quiz and the latest from our bloggers.
With HE public affairs and strategy expert Charles Heymann, Lucy Findlay of Social Enterprise Mark, and Wonkhe’s David Kernohan.
Rank #7: 8: VC pay, mental health, TEF4, graduation
There's also a dose of True Crime on Campus and our Correlation Quiz.
With Rachel Piper, Policy Manager at Student Minds; Ben Vulliamy, chief executive of York Students’ Union; and Wonkhe’s own Minto Felix.
Rank #8: 7: Student experience, safeguarding, mobility, Tories
We also explore trends in international student mobility, and higher education has finally made its appearance in the manifestos of candidates for leadership of the Conservative party - we take a look.
Plus True Crime on Campus and our Correlation Quiz.
With Gavan Conlon, Partner at London Economics; Greg Walker, chief executive of MillionPlus; Nottingham University's Head of Security Gary Stevens; and Wonkhe’s Debbie McVitty.
Rank #9: The education policy trap: will the Augar review avoid the mistakes of the past?
Rank #10: EU students, over-education, BME attainment, Cambridge and slavery
The amount that EU students may have to pay to come to a UK university has been across the news this week, and our podcast guests analyse the debate. We also talk ONS figures on “over-education”, the UUK/NUS report on the BME attainment gap and Cambridge’s decision to look into its past. We also catch up with OfS’ Richard Puttock about data.
With Rachel Hall, Universities Editor at the Guardian, Alec Cameron, Vice Chancellor of Aston University, and Wonkhe’s Jim Dickinson.
Rank #11: Minister, research access, Warwick, donations
On the podcast this week we discuss HE minister Chris Skidmore's recent speech and comments that give us clues about what will happen next with fees and funding. We also chat access to research, the fall out from the Warwick WhatsApp case, the mega donation to Cambridge and the latest from our bloggers. And on the Hidden History of HE we look at the first commuter universities.
With Andy Westwood, Vice Dean for Social Responsibility at the University of Manchester, Selena Bolingbroke, Lead for External Engagement & Strategic Development at Goldsmiths University of London and Wonkhe’s Associate Editor, Minto Felix.
Rank #12: Uni bailouts, subsidies and teaching excellence
What is the real cost to the taxpayer of funding higher education? This week on the podcast we look at report trying to answer that question, as well as students’ views on bailouts for universities, student mental health stats, Hidden History and our correlation quiz.
With Andy Youell, strategic data advisor; Eve Alcock, president of Bath Students’ Union; and Wonkhe’s editor Debbie McVitty.
Rank #13: 11: Higher technical, Warwick, clearing
With Mary Stuart, vice chancellor of the University of Lincoln, Andy Westwood, Professor of Government Practice and Vice Dean of Humanities at the University of Manchester, and Wonkhe Associate Editor David Kernohan.
Rank #14: 6: Augar's cost, tertiary and legal action
With Michelle Morgan of Bournemouth University; Philip Plowden, Vice Chancellor of Birmingham City University; and Wonkhe’s Jim Dickinson.
Rank #15: Financial forecasts, cybersecurity, apps
OfS has finally published its assessment of English providers' finances - and the forecasts look shaky. Our guests discuss the implications, along with a new report on cybersecurity, and another on the value of vocational degrees.
Plus Chris Skidmore calls App Britain!, our correlation quiz and more Hidden History of HE.
With Johnny Rich, CEO of Push and the Engineering Professors' Council; Julia Clarke, Pro VC at Manchester Metropolitan; and Wonkhe's Editor Debbie McVitty.
