The Wonkhe Show

Labour and funding, antisemitism, mental health

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’ve been at Labour’s conference in Liverpool - asking what might make it into the manifesto on fees and funding. Plus m...

Strikes, woke science, immigration, learner analytics

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the government is to consult on “minimum service levels” during industrial action at universities. What could happen next...

TEF results, staff development, PGR new deal

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast results of the Teaching Excellence Framework are out - but what do they tell us, and how helpful are they for students? Plus ...

Loneliness, climate change, LLE, work

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we discuss the government’s plans to reduce the stigma and increase support for students who are lonely. Plus Gillian Keega...

Regulation, quality, care experienced students

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast a Lords committee says England’s HE regulator is “arbitrary, overly controlling, and unnecessarily combative. What happen...

Cost of living, research security, gender based violence

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we look at three new reports that detail the impact of the cost of living crisis on students. Is there more that universities...

Summer special: Admissions, NSS, Predictions

20 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on our summer break special Level 3 results are out - does the press coverage bear any relation to what's happening in universities?Plus thi...

Harassment, NHS, AI, Bob Kerslake

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast there’s new recommendations on campus harassment and sexual misconduct - but is a DfE campaign targeting men the right appr...

Skills, research culture, industrial strategy

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Labour’s plans to turn the apprenticeship levy into a “Growth and Skills Levy” get more detail - but what will it all m...

Student experience, MAB, LLE

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the 2023 Student Academic Experience Survey is out, and it finds that more students are in paid employment than ever before. ...

FRAP, awarding gaps, international

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Future Research Assessment Programme (FRAP) has reported - we discuss whether its recommendations will fix the issues tha...

Duty of care, franchising, interdisciplinary

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast duty of care has been discussed in Parliament - and we examine the implications. Plus there’s media interest in UK from acr...

In conversation with Jeremy Miles

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this special half term episode of the show, Wonkhe's Editor in Chief Mark Leach chats to Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles.&n...

Immigration, renters reform, regulation

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast net immigration stats are out - will stopping the dependants of PGT students from getting visas be the end of restrictions? P...

Duty of care, international students, drugs

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast student suicides and a duty of care have been discussed in Parliament - but would such a duty help or hinder in efforts to su...

Twente Twente three

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast to mark Eurovision week we have a special episode featuring Bram Van Uden, who’s President of the SU at Twente University i...

Starmer and fees, PGRs, fundraising, graduate outcomes

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Keir Starmer has U-turned over student fees and finance - but what should Labour’s policy be if not free education? Plus su...

Finances, CBI, disabled students

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast there’s new data on the financial health of universities - we discuss how higher education is coping with inflation and fro...

Complaints, student voice, research funding

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Office of the Independent Adjudicator has published its annual report. Should we worry that it’s handled a record numbe...

Access and participation, applications, mental health, Turnitin

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our final show before the Easter break, OfS has published the first Equality of Opportunity Risk Register for English HE. But are there some big ri...

Size and shape, generative AI, neurodiversity

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast there are new numbers out on the size and shape of higher education providers - is the sector growing international PGT too q...

Secret Life of Students special

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’re live at our Secret Life of Students event in London where we hear from the Office for Students' Director for Fair Acc...

Lifelong learning, Nurse review, international, housing

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’re getting a complete overhaul of student finance in England - but is there enough demand for modules of debt? Plus the ...

R&D, dependants, autocracies

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast 46 per cent of people would only choose to invest more in R&D when the UK economy is in better shape – does the fragility o...

Harassment, science and tech, student living

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Office for Students has new proposals out on harassment and sexual misconduct – but will they work in the way intended?...

Sturgeon, engagement, graduate route

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Nicola Sturgeon has resigned as leader of the SNP and Scotland’s First Minister - what kind of higher education legacy does...

Prevent, reshuffle, graduate outcomes

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the government has published its review of the Prevent counter-terrorism strategy. Are campuses really a breeding ground for ...

Public perceptions, international, students and sex

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast there's new polling out on the public perception of universities. Does it explain funding woes and what can be done to turn a...

Demand, student hardship, loans reform

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we interrogate UCAS end of cycle data - what is going on with demand for higher education? Plus the Sutton Trust has new rese...

Halfon, strikes, reviewing regulation

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast new universities minister Robert Halfon has written to vice chancellors with new priorities, and our guests analyse the conte...

Drugs, year ahead, study tour

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’re in Münster, Germany for the Wonkhe SUs study tour. Jim and guests from the bus trip discuss the HE policy year ahead...

Canada v UK special

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week in a special seasonal episode of the show we travel to Toronto, Canada to meet with sector experts Higher Education Strategy Associates. Ale...

Student finance, student suicide, PGR supervision, Disabled students

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast student finance is back up for debate and there’s new guidance out on student suicide. Plus we talk research assessment, PG...

Free speech Bill, Brown review, Chat-GPT

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Free Speech Bill has cleared report stage in the Lords and NDAs have been banned in the process - we discuss what happens...

Immigration, China, PTES, graduate mobility

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we consider the fall out from last week’s immigration figures. Is a crackdown on international students really on its way f...

Cost of living, innovation, strikes

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has new stats on students and cost of living. Will more support for students ever co...

Woke QAA, Robert Halfon, Plan B, equality data

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Quality Assurance Agency has “gone woke” – or has it?New minister Robert Halfon has set out his priorities in the r...

Regulatory burden, Dearing, governor diversity, harassment

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast there’s a new report out on regulation - are small and specialist providers at a disadvantage? Plus new figures show that a...

Free speech, NUS, estranged students, NSS

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the free speech bill reaches committee stage in the Lords, and the NUS President has been terminated. What are the implicatio...

Reshuffle, industrial action, applications decline

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Rishi Sunak has been reshuffling his team of ministers - what could the impacts be for higher education?Plus we have the resu...

Immigration, belonging, blended learning

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Suella Braverman is gone - but has the threat of a crackdown on international students gone with her? We’ve launched new re...

Harassment and sexual misconduct, R&D, debating societies

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast OfS is to survey the scale and nature of sexual misconduct affecting students - we discuss why and what next.Plus the UK has ...

Conservative conference, outcomes and experience data, student suicide

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the team has been at Conservative party conference - is a crackdown coming on international students?Meanwhile OfS has publis...

Labour, access and participation, free speech, social class

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the show we’ve been to Labour Party Conference. Was anything of interest for higher education announced?Plus the Office for Students ha...

Admissions, Energy Costs, Academic Freedom

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we're at the end of the 2022 applications season - has there really been a crunch on university places? We also consider if t...

Hidden History special

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week in a special edition of the podcast, academic registrar and sector historian Mike Ratcliffe reflects on the history of the relationship betw...

Truss, Cost of Living, Digital

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Liz Truss is the new Prime Minister - what does that and her ministerial appointments mean for higher education? Plus we disc...

Review of Summer 2022

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Before the show returns properly for the Autumn season, this week the team meets to discuss what you might have missed (or wish you'd missed|) over th...

Politics, UCAS, cost of living, cheating

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we have a new minister at the Department for Education - but will she be around for long enough to make a difference? Plus t...

Politics, NSS, grade inflation, access

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we attempt to keep up with the drama at No.10. What does it all mean for higher education? Plus this year’s NSS results are...

Equality charters, free speech, staff and tech, Labour and fees

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast there’s a ministerial intervention over equality charters in the name of free speech. How should universities respond?Plus ...

Graduate wellbeing, student housing, free speech

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast graduate anxiety is on the rise and feelings of dissatisfaction and low worth are becoming more prevalent. What’s going on?...

Public accounts committee, belonging, student financial support, free speech

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast MPs are struggling to pin universities’ problems on the right body - where does responsibility lie when things go wrong? Th...

Student experience, free speech, microcredentials

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the 2022 Student Academic Experience Survey is out - has the student experience bounced back post-pandemic? Plus we discover ...

OfS investigations, uni leadership, skills

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast OfS has launched eight investigations into suspected poor quality courses. What happens next? Plus VCs seem to be lasting lon...

Wokery, LEO, grade inflation

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the press and politicians have been attacking the Race Equality Charter - how should universities respond? Plus there’s som...

REF results, Queen’s speech, Access all areas

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the results of the Research Excellence Framework have been published - what do they mean and how should the exercise change?P...

Complaints, consultations, student suicide, in-person teaching

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on a heavily West Midlands infused podcast, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator has published its annual report - what is it telling u...

Blair, spiking, minimum entry, free speech

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change has argued for 70 per cent HE participation - but are interventions from Blair doi...

Covid harms, Michelle Donelan, Scandinavia

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’re in Scandinavia learning about student representation, student rights, brewing societies and campus ombuds. Plus there...

Grad jobs, staffing, China, student finance

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) has published its annual Student Development Survey - what does it tell us about gra...

Spring statement, UKRI strategy, social mobility

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Rishi Sunak has delivered his spring statement, and we get across the politics, the policies and the implications for univers...

Quality, demand, blended, disabled students

17 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Office for Students’ consultations on quality have closed - what has the sector been saying? We’ve been kicking off a...

Ukraine, Augar, Digifest, Admissions

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we discuss the crisis in Ukraine and what universities can do,  and would like to do if only the home office allowed it. The...

Sexual misconduct, quality, belonging, drugs

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Office for Students has new conditions on quality and standards - but what does it all mean? Universities UK has publishe...

Augar response special

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast it’s a special edition as the government publishes its response to Phillip Augar’s Post-18 review of fees and funding. We...

The Secret Life of Students 2022

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast there’s a bunch of highlights from our student experience conference in London. We hear results from the Student Futures Co...

Access and participation, blended, careers, student finance

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast there’s a new Director for Fair Access and Participation at OfS, and we’ve published new research on blended learning and...

Levelling up, black students in halls, disabled students

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we go searching for a role for higher education in the levelling up agenda.There’s also interesting new reports out on race...

Student numbers, assessment, third years, blended

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’re crunching numbers as HESA spring tells us about the size and shape of the sector in 2020/21, and UCAS end of cycle da...

Outcomes, TEF, NDAs

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’re discussing the Office for Students’ new proposals on the outcomes that universities will have to deliver for studen...

Omicron, access, harassment, NSS

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’re back after the break being told that there’s “no excuses” for online learning. How is the sector handling Omicr...

Plan B, admissions, staffing, “one nation”

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on our Christmassy podcast, England has moved to plan B - but what does that mean for students and universities? The UCAS end of cycle repor...

Strikes, blended, transfers

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast industrial action has begun across the sector - how should universities mitigate any impact on students? There’s also a new...

Access and participation, social mobility, student loans

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast there’s a new director for fair access and participation at the Office for Students - what will that mean for students and ...

Regulation, industrial action, PGTs

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we consider the future of regulation of universities, and wonder who gets to decide the "student interest". Plus UCU have ann...

OfS, COP, student experience, antisemitism

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast OfS chief Nicola Dandridge is stepping down - what next for regulation of higher education?There’s also news from COP, some...

White paper, Wales, PRES, ONS

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we ask if we’re getting an HE white paper for Christmas, and look at polling on the politics of fees, funding and maintenan...

Spiking, R&D, COP26, specialist providers

21 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we consider the spate of "student spiking" stories and the student-led campaigns to improve safety in venues.There’s also s...

Skills, social mobility, black grads, free speech

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’re tracking the progress of the Skills Bill and keeping an eye on efforts to redefine social mobility. There’s also a ...

Conservative conference, spelling, essay mills, diversity training

07 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’re reflecting on a few days at Conservative Party conference. Have we found out what levelling up means?Plus OfS launche...

Spending review, party conferences, graduate outcomes, posters

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’re looking ahead to the comprehensive spending review and proposals to lower the graduate repayment threshold. We also d...

Industrial action, humanities, LGBT+ students, free speech bill

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast UCU are balloting for industrial action over pay and pensions - does it signal a bleak midwinter for the sector?Plus HEPI has...

Reshuffle, groupings, graduates

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we have a new Secretary of State and a promotion for the universities minister to discuss. Plus we’ve started a big debate ...

Gavin Williamson, UCAS data, student futures, international

09 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We're back for a new season as Gavin Williamson addresses Universities UK conference - did he give anything away about the upcoming spending review? P...

Summer special - building back student experience

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In association with Routledge, we've assembled some special guests from the field of higher education research, pedagogy and leadership to explore how...

Reopening, skills, UCAS figures, NDAs

08 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the final podcast of the season we review campus reopening guidance from across the UK. What happens when the balance between freedom and...

Finances, digital skills, careers, BLM, September

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we consider the state of the sector’s finances. Did the dire predictions of a sector in financial crisis come close to happ...

Value for money, science, PG access, white working class

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the results of this year’s HEPI/Advance HE Student Academic Experience Survey are out. Did students think that this year re...

Skills bill, examnishambles, roadmap delay

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we catch up with the Skills Bill and its second reading in the Lords - and sense big debates to come over fees, funding and c...

The best of Wonkfest

10 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we’ve got a clutch of highlights from Wonkfest. We consider how universities can build back higher, bridge the digital divi...

Loans, geography and employment, drama, September

03 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we discuss student loans - should the interest rate go up or come down, and where’s the balance between politics and progre...

Augar, credit, student futures, apprenticeships

27 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we try to make sense of ongoing speculation about fees and funding in England as we move towards an Autumn response to the Au...

“Dead end” courses, skills bill, September

20 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast Gavin Williamson has been offering up his views on “dead-end courses” and OfS has published a measure that might tell us ...

Free speech, Queen’s speech, admissions, transitions

13 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the government has introduced a new Higher Education Bill into parliament - but do its proposals on academic freedom and free...

Racism, sex, drugs and controversial ideas

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the Commons Education Committee raises antisemitism with Michelle Donelan and BBC3 airs a documentary on racism in the sector...

Return to campus, inclusive assessment, sex work, London

15 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast we consider the implications of the government’s announcement on return to campus. There’s also a debate rumbling round o...

The New Power University

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our usual podcast format is on its Easter break, so this week there’s an opportunity to enjoy highlights from the launch of a new book on the social...

Student choice, Student Futures, happiness

26 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast UCAS has some new findings out on supporting students to make good (higher education) choices.Wales has its own Erasmus repla...

Science, admissions, protest, tertiary

18 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the podcast the government’s integrated review of security, defence, development and foreign policy puts science and technology at the ...