The last decade of higher education, though a short timespan in the full history of the sector, has been a turbulent one.
We’ve seen major challenges for universities including Brexit, a global pandemic, the birth of a new regulator of universities in England, many changes of government ministers, the politically polarising culture wars, battles over immigration policy – to name just a few. In that time, though higher education has remained, in essence, the same in terms of mission and purpose, the policy settlement underpinning higher education’s core activities has changed significantly – particularly in England.
As a member of the senior team at Universities UK since 2013 (and chief executive from 2017-22) I’ve been fortunate enough to have a front row seat to how political events have shaped the sector. Despite political turmoil, universities have successfully managed to navigate a way through the major policy developments of the past decade – a combination of influencing where they can, innovating, growing, and adapting to challenges.
