Martin McQuillan

London

Editor, HE at Research Professional News

Featured in: Favicon

researchprofessionalnews.com Favicon

medium.com Favicon

theguardian.com Favicon

theconversation.com Favicon

timeshighereducation.com Favicon

theneweuropean.co.uk Favicon

coastreporter.net

Articles

Cross benches - Research Professional News

3 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

Are we any the wiser about free speech after a debate in the Lords? In a relatively rare occurrence, the minister responsible for universities answered questions about higher education in parliament yesterday. Jacqui Smith led a debate, if that is the right word, on the unprecedented fine imposed by the Office for Students on the University of Sussex last week. We’ve become used to education secretary Bridget Phillipson leading on higher education announcements in the Commons.
Skills assessment

3 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

What can universities expect from the newest tertiary education quango? Every education secretary in living memory has declared their intention to undo the binary divide between academic and vocational routes. It is usually said in the name of restoring ‘parity of esteem’ for training and skills.
OfS hits Sussex with £585,000 fine in free speech case

4 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

University says ruling leaves institutions unable to prevent abusive speech and will "perpetuate culture wars"The Office for Students has concluded its long-running freedom of speech investigation into the Kathleen Stock case, levying a £585,000 fine on the University of Sussex. The philosophy professor resigned from the institution in 2021 amid protests over her gender-critical views.
Stock and trades

4 weeks ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

The OfS fines Sussex over free speech, and we look ahead to the spring statementThe news broke late last night that the Office for Students has concluded its almost four-year investigation into the Kathleen Stock affair, levying a £585,000 fine on the University of Sussex. The philosophy professor resigned from the institution in 2021 amid protests over her gender-critical views.
Franchise outlet

1 month ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

The education secretary takes aim at “one of the biggest financial scandals universities have faced”Universities do not have their troubles to seek at the moment, what with the wave of staff redundancies and the large operating deficits sweeping the sector. A Sunday Times investigation into franchised courses will add to higher education’s woes, not least because education secretary Bridget Phillipson has rowed in behind the newspaper.
Boys zone - Research Professional News

1 month ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

A Hepi report on young men in higher education and a UUK campaign on startupsOn Tuesday evening, former England football manager Gareth Southgate gave the BBC’s annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture. He took the occasion to talk about building resilience in the next generation. In particular, he talked about the lack of opportunities and male role models for young men. He took aim at online grifters who seek to monetise and exploit adolescent boys’ desire for direction and mentorship.
American gothic - Research Professional News

1 month ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

Should British universities be worried about attacks on higher education in the US? Some readers will be viewing events in the United States since Donald Trump returned to the White House with interest. Some will see it as a basket of crazy in a faraway country of which we can do little. While others will feel the best policy is to hide under the duvet until it all goes away. But what if it does not just blow over after the four years of the 47th presidency?
A Medr place - Research Professional News

1 month ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

The Welsh tertiary funding council publishes its strategic plan—is it up to the job? “It’s time to do things differently,” declares the opening page of the first strategic plan of the new Welsh funding council for tertiary education, published late yesterday morning. Although world-weary observers of higher education and research quangos might have the nagging suspicion that things might be about to be done exactly the same as always.
Press gang - Research Professional News

1 month ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

Universities UK unveils a new president and an analysis of graduate-hungry industriesCongratulations are in order to Malcolm Press, vice-chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, who has been elected president of Universities UK. He will succeed Sally Mapstone, vice-chancellor of the University of St Andrews, who is due to step down at the end of her term in July. Press’s tenure at the head of UUK will run for two years from 1 August.
Hepi choices - Research Professional News

1 month ago | researchprofessionalnews.com | Martin McQuillan

Do claims that students are turning to Stem subjects add up? We’ve had Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday this week, so now it must be Hepi Thursday. The Higher Education Policy Institute does not disappoint with a report out this morning on A-level and degree subject choices. The report is by Peter Mandler, professor of modern cultural history at the University of Cambridge. So buckle up for a history lesson.