Chris Havergal
@chrishavergal.bsky.social
Editor, @timeshighered.bsky.social
UK universities set to meet with employers to discuss how courses can help better prepare students for the world of work as polls suggest most people think universities could be doing more to help the country succeed www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Universities ramp up employer engagement as criticisms intensify
UUK announces new business engagement initiative as data suggests most young people see apprenticeships as viable alternative to higher education
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:51 PM
UK universities set to meet with employers to discuss how courses can help better prepare students for the world of work as polls suggest most people think universities could be doing more to help the country succeed www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Union members at @ducu.bsky.social have voted to strike as part of dispute over job cuts and working conditions, with staff at @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social also set to walk out in row over pension contributions www.timeshighereducation.com/news/durham-... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Durham and Northumbria universities latest to face strikes
Staff at Durham vote to walk out in dispute over workloads, while Northumbria to be hit with disruption in row over pensions
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Union members at @ducu.bsky.social have voted to strike as part of dispute over job cuts and working conditions, with staff at @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social also set to walk out in row over pension contributions www.timeshighereducation.com/news/durham-... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
"It would be a great shame for the UK if we were to lose the benefits of our ties with China by allowing a culture of suspicion and dialogue of hostility to proliferate," writes @ucl.ac.uk president Michael Spence in @timeshighered.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/sino...
Sinophobia is a disservice to the UK
Chinese academics, students and partners bring great benefits that the UK would be very foolish to spurn, says Michael Spence
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:57 AM
"It would be a great shame for the UK if we were to lose the benefits of our ties with China by allowing a culture of suspicion and dialogue of hostility to proliferate," writes @ucl.ac.uk president Michael Spence in @timeshighered.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/sino...
Number of US students coming to UK unlikely to keep rising and universities should not pin hopes on recruitment from a structurally tough market, vice-chancellor warns www.timeshighereducation.com/news/rising-... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Rising US student numbers in UK ‘unsustainable’, warns v-c
Modest ‘Trump surge’ will not last, says leader, with regulation, demographics and parental preferences all posing issues for institutions hoping to recruit
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Number of US students coming to UK unlikely to keep rising and universities should not pin hopes on recruitment from a structurally tough market, vice-chancellor warns www.timeshighereducation.com/news/rising-... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Under pressure from students to speak out against ICE but wary of angering the White House, colleges are trying to find ways to help quietly, writes @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
Universities ‘all over the place’ in response to ICE raids
Under pressure from students to speak out but wary of angering the White House, institutions are trying to find ways to help while avoiding ‘pageantry’
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Under pressure from students to speak out against ICE but wary of angering the White House, colleges are trying to find ways to help quietly, writes @patrickjack.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
Turnover ofUK vice-chancellors increasing - more than 1/4 universities changed leaders in 2025 or will do in 2026. Unis want "quick-fix solutions to problems that are incredibly baked in", says @rpwatermeyer.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/leaders... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Leadership ‘merry-go-round’ at universities as v-c vacancies grow
Quarter of UK universities changing vice-chancellors after several retire and some forced out, with experts predicting continuing challenges mean churn at the top will only continue
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Turnover ofUK vice-chancellors increasing - more than 1/4 universities changed leaders in 2025 or will do in 2026. Unis want "quick-fix solutions to problems that are incredibly baked in", says @rpwatermeyer.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/leaders... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
York and Swansea are latest universities to confirm they won't take up the UK-wide Elsevier subscription deal - more expected to 'quietly opt out' www.timeshighereducation.com/news/silent-... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
‘Silent decoupling’ under way as Elsevier talks near crunch point
York and Swansea latest to decline publisher’s offer, with latter also walking away from Springer Nature deal
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:01 AM
York and Swansea are latest universities to confirm they won't take up the UK-wide Elsevier subscription deal - more expected to 'quietly opt out' www.timeshighereducation.com/news/silent-... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
Delighted to launch new @timeshighered.bsky.social podcast, News Talks (a sister to our best practice-focused podcast, Campus Talks). I joined @mirandaprynne.bsky.social to discuss how the Sussex v OfS High Court battle could reshape UK higher education www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/news...
News Talks podcast: Sussex v OfS – what could it mean for UK HE?
We discuss why the University of Sussex is challenging the OfS in court and what it could mean for freedom of speech, institutional autonomy and the role of the regulator
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Delighted to launch new @timeshighered.bsky.social podcast, News Talks (a sister to our best practice-focused podcast, Campus Talks). I joined @mirandaprynne.bsky.social to discuss how the Sussex v OfS High Court battle could reshape UK higher education www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/news...
Reposted by Chris Havergal
To say there's been anger about the Plan 2 student loans recently is an understatement. But what about those who have both a Plan 2 loan and a master's loan?
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/scandal...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/scandal...
‘Scandalous’ master’s loans ‘forgotten’ in student debt debate
English system that provides funding for less than cost of third of degrees, with repayment thresholds frozen below minimum wage, ‘no longer fit for purpose’
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:34 AM
To say there's been anger about the Plan 2 student loans recently is an understatement. But what about those who have both a Plan 2 loan and a master's loan?
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/scandal...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/scandal...
A college where students studying business degrees were directed to use AI or essay mills by staff has been reprimanded by the English HE regulator - as has one of its partners, the University of Greater Manchester www.timeshighereducation.com/news/college... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
College staff ‘directed students towards essay mills and AI’
OfS investigation finds students at provider delivering franchised degrees also told how to avoid detection by plagiarism software
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:05 PM
A college where students studying business degrees were directed to use AI or essay mills by staff has been reprimanded by the English HE regulator - as has one of its partners, the University of Greater Manchester www.timeshighereducation.com/news/college... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Havergal
Check out the coverage in THE, and stay tuned.
It's an uphill battle + taken nearly 2 years for the union watchdog to hold a hearing. Grady's using union money to hire a pricey KC, so the odds are against us. But we will fight to win for our colleagues.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad...
It's an uphill battle + taken nearly 2 years for the union watchdog to hold a hearing. Grady's using union money to hire a pricey KC, so the odds are against us. But we will fight to win for our colleagues.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad...
Jo Grady’s UCU election win challenged over ‘unfair advantage’
Candidates who stood in 2024 poll seek rerun of campaign after claiming incumbent broke rules by using union resources
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Check out the coverage in THE, and stay tuned.
It's an uphill battle + taken nearly 2 years for the union watchdog to hold a hearing. Grady's using union money to hire a pricey KC, so the odds are against us. But we will fight to win for our colleagues.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad...
It's an uphill battle + taken nearly 2 years for the union watchdog to hold a hearing. Grady's using union money to hire a pricey KC, so the odds are against us. But we will fight to win for our colleagues.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad...
Reposted by Chris Havergal
Jo Grady's former election rivals have applied to the trade union watchdog, the Certification Officer, over claims that she had an “unfair” advantage owing to her use of union resources during the campaign, set to be heard in a trial next week.
Read more below 👇
Read more below 👇
Jo Grady's victory in last UCU general secretary election being officially challenged by her rivals Vicky Blake and Ewan McGaughey, who claim Grady broke the union's campaign rules - hearing scheduled for next week www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Jo Grady’s UCU election win challenged over ‘unfair advantage’
Candidates who stood in 2024 poll seek rerun of campaign after claiming incumbent broke rules by using union resources
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Jo Grady's former election rivals have applied to the trade union watchdog, the Certification Officer, over claims that she had an “unfair” advantage owing to her use of union resources during the campaign, set to be heard in a trial next week.
Read more below 👇
Read more below 👇
Reposted by Chris Havergal
I’m no longer shocked about the attacks on members for wanting a fair & democratic union but the UCU comment suggests they’ve forgotten the basic requirement to represent the interests of members not those of the GS alone - which is exactly what the case is all about. Our union, our subs #ucu
February 5, 2026 at 9:15 AM
I’m no longer shocked about the attacks on members for wanting a fair & democratic union but the UCU comment suggests they’ve forgotten the basic requirement to represent the interests of members not those of the GS alone - which is exactly what the case is all about. Our union, our subs #ucu
Reposted by Chris Havergal
The @timeshighered.bsky.social has reported that @ewanmg.bsky.social and I have applied to the Certification Officer regarding concerns over the 2024 UCU general secretary election. UCU has characterised this as “smearing”, via a spokesperson.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad...
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www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad...
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Jo Grady’s UCU election win challenged over ‘unfair advantage’
Candidates who stood in 2024 poll seek rerun of campaign after claiming incumbent broke rules by using union resources
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:41 AM
The @timeshighered.bsky.social has reported that @ewanmg.bsky.social and I have applied to the Certification Officer regarding concerns over the 2024 UCU general secretary election. UCU has characterised this as “smearing”, via a spokesperson.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad...
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www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad...
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Reposted by Chris Havergal
Just a quick note to @greenparty.org.uk and @greenpartyhan.bsky.social - I was not consulted on being quoted on your leaflets and I have not endorsed your campaign (or any campaign in this seat). I think this note, like the bar chart next to it, is misleading and out of context.
February 4, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Just a quick note to @greenparty.org.uk and @greenpartyhan.bsky.social - I was not consulted on being quoted on your leaflets and I have not endorsed your campaign (or any campaign in this seat). I think this note, like the bar chart next to it, is misleading and out of context.
Reposted by Chris Havergal
Our thoughts are with everyone at De Montfort University, especially the victim and their loved ones following last night’s horrific events.
We are in close contact with staff to support the university.
Violence has no place on our university campuses.
We are in close contact with staff to support the university.
Violence has no place on our university campuses.
February 4, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Our thoughts are with everyone at De Montfort University, especially the victim and their loved ones following last night’s horrific events.
We are in close contact with staff to support the university.
Violence has no place on our university campuses.
We are in close contact with staff to support the university.
Violence has no place on our university campuses.
Jo Grady's victory in last UCU general secretary election being officially challenged by her rivals Vicky Blake and Ewan McGaughey, who claim Grady broke the union's campaign rules - hearing scheduled for next week www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Jo Grady’s UCU election win challenged over ‘unfair advantage’
Candidates who stood in 2024 poll seek rerun of campaign after claiming incumbent broke rules by using union resources
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Jo Grady's victory in last UCU general secretary election being officially challenged by her rivals Vicky Blake and Ewan McGaughey, who claim Grady broke the union's campaign rules - hearing scheduled for next week www.timeshighereducation.com/news/jo-grad... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
University of West London fined £150,000 by exams regulator Ofqual for “serious rule breaches” connected to its oversight of an external assessment centre www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uwl-fin... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
UWL fined £150,000 by Ofqual over ‘serious rule breaches’
Regulator finds university failed to ‘exercise proper control’ of one of its external assessment centres
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:05 PM
University of West London fined £150,000 by exams regulator Ofqual for “serious rule breaches” connected to its oversight of an external assessment centre www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uwl-fin... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Havergal
A higher education commissioner should be appointed to take responsibility for supporting universities before crisis strikes, says Lifelong Learning Institute www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Universities commissioner needed ‘to oversee mergers and cuts’
Call for government to create new position mirrored on role that already exists in further education, to help steer sector while avoiding excessive regulation
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:30 AM
A higher education commissioner should be appointed to take responsibility for supporting universities before crisis strikes, says Lifelong Learning Institute www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Higher education 'cold spots' are still keen on university campuses, eg, in Blackburn, Blackpool, Peterborough and Warrington. But can they be sustained - like in Southend, Eastbourne or Lampeter? @helenpacker.bsky.social investigates www.timeshighereducation.com/news/can-new...
Can new universities save left-behind towns and cities?
Fresh models of university outposts emerging in regions without access to higher education as financial crisis sees shuttering of traditional campuses
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:29 AM
Higher education 'cold spots' are still keen on university campuses, eg, in Blackburn, Blackpool, Peterborough and Warrington. But can they be sustained - like in Southend, Eastbourne or Lampeter? @helenpacker.bsky.social investigates www.timeshighereducation.com/news/can-new...
Universities of Kent and Greenwich agree merger terms after months of negotiations - Greenwich to become London and South East University Group, a company limited by guarantee, and Kent will then join that, reports @twilliamsthe.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/kent-an...
Kent and Greenwich hail ‘key milestone’ as merger terms inked
Greenwich to change name to London and South East University Group before Kent joins as new ‘superuniversity’ takes shape
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Universities of Kent and Greenwich agree merger terms after months of negotiations - Greenwich to become London and South East University Group, a company limited by guarantee, and Kent will then join that, reports @twilliamsthe.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/kent-an...
UKRI chief executive blames “information leaks” after conceding changes to science spending have not been communicated in the right way, leading to “upset and uncertainty” among researchers www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ukri-ch... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
UKRI chief blames leaks as cuts ‘not well communicated’
Ian Chapman tells MPs that some funding streams will be back online ‘in weeks’ amid uncertainty over impact of research changes
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:52 PM
UKRI chief executive blames “information leaks” after conceding changes to science spending have not been communicated in the right way, leading to “upset and uncertainty” among researchers www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ukri-ch... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
University of Nottingham posts £85.3 million deficit for 2024-25 after massive writedown in value of Castle Meadow and King's Meadow campuses. Also news of a £39.9 million deficit at Swansea University timeshighereducation.com/news/notting... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Nottingham posts £85 million deficit as value of campus plummets
For sale city centre site not worth as much as thought, says university, after accounts reveal scale of financial challenge
timeshighereducation.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:16 AM
University of Nottingham posts £85.3 million deficit for 2024-25 after massive writedown in value of Castle Meadow and King's Meadow campuses. Also news of a £39.9 million deficit at Swansea University timeshighereducation.com/news/notting... via @patrickjack.bsky.social
Speeding up creation of university spin-outs and access to capital are bigger barriers to commercialising UK research than the equity demanded by institutions, says @ukri.org report www.timeshighereducation.com/news/investm... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Speeding up creation of university spin-outs and access to capital are bigger barriers to commercialising UK research than the equity demanded by institutions, says @ukri.org report www.timeshighereducation.com/news/investm... via @jgro-the.bsky.social