…dividuals and organisations have signed up to join the coalition since our manifesto launched. I wrote a piece for WonkHE outlining the key asks in the manifesto, and why I feel so strongly about protecting the creative skills pipeline. 5. I heart degree apprenticeships 1 in 3 degree apprenticeship starts were at an Alliance University at last count. Through our members’ work we have seen first-hand how degree apprenticeships benefit students and…
…ckground, and to geography. Students stop studying for a range of reasons, many of which are wholly unconnected to their experience of HE. Disabled students, BAME students, LGBT+ students, mature students and part-time students are all more likely to drop out than other groups of students. The continued focus on continuation and completion is even more puzzling when you learn that the UK has the highest completion rates among comparable developed…
…rofiles of over 60 academics, who will be available for media comment. The online panel discussion event included introductions from campaign coordinators Beth Button, Head of Communications at University Alliance, and Justin Shaw, Chief Higher Education Consultant at Communications Management –one of our campaign partners. During his slot, Justin emphasised the need for a campaign of this kind, and for the Expert Bank resource, in diversifying th…
…gital poverty. Approaches to student engagement One area where the reports varied was in how student engagement was addressed. There were two approaches to this. Many members indicated how the student voice is included and influences policy and delivery within the university such as via committee or course representatives. Some members also described use of data analytics tools to track course engagement and prompt action where engagement drops. T…
…s impact on the environment, life on land, and life below water. Effective management of these wastes directly affects the sustainable development goals. These wastes vary in composition with some of them being rich in SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, and CaO; compounds that can be found in cement we use in construction. On the other hand, the worldwide demand on cementitious materials has increased considerably in the last 15 years. There is an opportunity to…
…s ‘tariff’ mean? An institutional UCAS tariff is the average level 3 performance (A levels or equivalent level) demanded by a provider for main scheme entry in a given year. This does not relate to the grades that people entering said university actually hold. (Source: WonkHE) UCAS tariff is not a measure of quality, simply of the grades required to enter a university at undergraduate level. By many of the government’s own measures of quality, inc…
…tudents’ unions are raising spirits and maintaining social contact through online events. Over the coming weeks, the Students’ Union at Anglia Ruskin University is holding an online bake-off, mindfulness workshop and an arts and crafts workshop. We’ve been hosting similar activities at UWE Bristol and in February ran a series of feel good events, including a free, stand-up comedy event for students and staff featuring A-list comedians. With the go…
…project uses immersive interactions to emphasise the sustainability, craftsmanship, heritage, and intrinsic value of artisanal fashion and textiles. By focusing on culture, provenance, heritage, and sustainable clothing consumption, the initiative strives to reshape the fashion landscape. Fashion, as we know it, has embraced the digital realm, with online sales surging and fashion films becoming powerful marketing tools for creative designs. Immer…
…health and care; science, medicine and technology; advanced materials and manufacturing and screen arts – have benefitted from our multifaceted support since 2019. Our intensive Acceleration programmes for innovative start-ups and SMEs looking to scale up (which provide bespoke, wrap-around services including technical, commercial, and R&D expertise) have proved to be particularly successful. In just two years we have run several, including a Sus…
…we do this is by hosting some much-needed social relief such as our recent online Christmas quizzes and an upcoming end of academic year event. Why get involved in the first place? During the first year of my PhD, I encountered many challenges, including moving to a new continent, redesigning my research project and establishing fully remote working arrangements in light of Covid-19. What I have learnt, however, is that a PhD does not have to be a…
