Martin McQuillan

4 days ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

What does Labour think it is doing to universities following its migration white paper? For years, Google’s corporate motto was “Don’t be evil”. After some time as a virtual monopoly supplier of online content, that was downgraded to “Do the right thing”, which interestingly was also the title of Spike Lee’s 1989 film about race riots in Brooklyn. We guess it’s an example of how values can shift over time.

1 week ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

The future of universities, and the education secretary, is up in the airAt 10am today, the Office for Students will publish its annual report on the financial sustainability of universities. It is based on what is known in the business as “official statistics”, which means the regulator could not share an embargoed copy with Playbook or any other media outlet. In the past, the OfS declared itself relaxed about the state of sector finances.

2 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

What do today’s elections in England mean for universities? Pinch, punch, first of the month, although the Labour government will be hoping for a better outcome than that in council and mayoral elections today. There is also a by-election in Runcorn and Helsby. If you have ever had the pleasure of crossing the sweeping majesty of the river Mersey via the Runcorn bridge, you’ll know the part of the world we are talking about.

2 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

The annual report of the independent adjudicator identifies trends in student dissatisfactionHers is the website that launched a thousand complaints. It is that time of year again when Helen Megarry, the independent adjudicator for higher education in England and Wales, publishes her office’s annual report. This is one of the highlights of the year in the Playbook office. It is truly one of the feast days of the higher education calendar, and this latest effort, covering 2024, does not disappoint.

3 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

Could a graduate levy on employers help pay for higher education? You’ve barely finished off the big chocolate egg and are wondering whether you can get away with leaving the out-of-office message on your email for another day when the Higher Education Policy Institute pops up with its latest publication. This one, by David Phoenix, vice-chancellor of London South Bank University, is called Increasing Employer Support for the Tertiary Skills System in England.