Lynton Lees
@lyntonlees.bsky.social
Researching UK education and society.
Senior Policy Adviser, British Academy. Previously PhD education in modern Britain, Columbia. Views my own.
Senior Policy Adviser, British Academy. Previously PhD education in modern Britain, Columbia. Views my own.
Pinned
Lynton Lees
@lyntonlees.bsky.social
· Sep 10
📢 Today the Academy launches a major new report urging action to tackle a growing crisis in our universities. Cuts to courses mean more regions than ever are ‘cold spots’ for access to many SHAPE subjects - with even more at risk. 🧵
📍Read the full report: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/policy-and-r...
📍Read the full report: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/policy-and-r...
Cold spots: Mapping inequality in SHAPE provision in UK higher education
This British Academy report reveals that many parts of the UK are becoming subject cold spots – areas with no provision in a subject within a commutable distance. These are often in rural, coastal or ...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
Proud to see this report out in the world today. After 10+ years of market experiments in UK HE, the data is clear: leaving what is taught in our universities solely up to the market has left students with less choice, fewer opportunities and more regional inequality. Read the deep dive below 👇
Interesting to see David Willetts today talking course closures and cold spots in UK HE: Willetts calls for expansion of strategic/vulnerable subject funding to protect humanities (and especially languages) degrees, particularly given their importance for defence and national security…
![Excerpt from interview with David Willetts, former universities minister and current chair of the Resolution Foundation, in Research Professional 13/02/26. Text reads:
"I said to [former prime minister] David Cameron once [in a cabinet discussion] that there is just an assumption in the British government that whenever there's an international crisis, or a British hostage is taken or there's a civil war and the Brits need to be evacuated, there's always someone in Britain who knows the history of the place, who speaks the relevant language, who can suddenly advise you on what this group is that's suddenly taken three British hostages and is holding them in the jungle somewhere," he explains.
"We assume that we know that kind of stuff, and that is only because of the breadth of the humanities, the study of foreign languages, the study of history in the UK."
To ensure regions aren't deprived of those subjects, Willetts calls for Strategically Important and Vulnerable Subjects funding (which does what it says on the tin) to be enhanced.
"As an absolute minimum, government needs: a) the capacity to scan and get [information about local provision]; and b) a discretionary pot of money that it can deploy if there's something so serious it thinks it needs to be protected," he](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ec4gl6exrfl4t42jwy6hphab/bafkreicltwwjait3pgnn3q6t3wt3hqjiww32zcodkqeji3sf7vgicnk3we@jpeg)
February 13, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Interesting to see David Willetts today talking course closures and cold spots in UK HE: Willetts calls for expansion of strategic/vulnerable subject funding to protect humanities (and especially languages) degrees, particularly given their importance for defence and national security…
Really great to see Medr's Welsh HE subject provision deep dive out today, citing and following British Academy research into widening cold spots in Welsh HE, particularly in languages degrees (yes, including degrees in Welsh) www.medr.cymru/wp-content/u...
Wonderful to see ITV Wales covering growing cold spots for humanities, social science and arts courses in Wales in their morning roundup - and welcome news that a Welsh gov report on subject provision is in the works: www.itv.com/watch/news/y...
February 10, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Really great to see Medr's Welsh HE subject provision deep dive out today, citing and following British Academy research into widening cold spots in Welsh HE, particularly in languages degrees (yes, including degrees in Welsh) www.medr.cymru/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Lynton Lees
'The ground-breaking study from the University of Stirling will examine the educational, economic, social and cultural factors that impact on language learning, analysing the different approaches and outcomes in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.'
University launches major study into languages in schools
Researchers at the University of Stirling have secured funding for a multi-national project exploring the 'cultures of language learning'.
www.heraldscotland.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:46 AM
'The ground-breaking study from the University of Stirling will examine the educational, economic, social and cultural factors that impact on language learning, analysing the different approaches and outcomes in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.'
Reposted by Lynton Lees
I have joined The Post 18 Project as our first Director: my first intervention is to pour out my thoughts about why our student loan system is doomed, no matter how good policy works think it is.
post18.co.uk/a-review-of-...
post18.co.uk/a-review-of-...
February 4, 2026 at 5:54 PM
I have joined The Post 18 Project as our first Director: my first intervention is to pour out my thoughts about why our student loan system is doomed, no matter how good policy works think it is.
post18.co.uk/a-review-of-...
post18.co.uk/a-review-of-...
Reposted by Lynton Lees
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degrees
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:27 AM
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
Reposted by Lynton Lees
'With cost-of-living pressures still severe, 45 per cent of UK 18-year-olds stated that...they intend to live at home for their studies – up from 43 per cent the year before. Among the total student population, this proportion is now almost half (49 per cent).' 2/2
January 28, 2026 at 8:39 AM
'With cost-of-living pressures still severe, 45 per cent of UK 18-year-olds stated that...they intend to live at home for their studies – up from 43 per cent the year before. Among the total student population, this proportion is now almost half (49 per cent).' 2/2
The way to prevent regional HE cold spots is unis collaborating - but the CMA say likely only ok to jointly run courses 'if there are many providers offering a course nationally + the course tends to attract students from across the country who have other good options' (!)
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Collaborating with other higher education providers
www.gov.uk
January 23, 2026 at 11:40 AM
The way to prevent regional HE cold spots is unis collaborating - but the CMA say likely only ok to jointly run courses 'if there are many providers offering a course nationally + the course tends to attract students from across the country who have other good options' (!)
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Lynton Lees
This is why the @britishacademy.bsky.social is so worried about regional ‘cold spots’ in the provision of key university courses - young people who can’t afford the costs or the commute miss out on life-changing opportunities in labour markets that need these skills… www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
My three-hour university commute is worth the £7,000 saving on halls
Over a third of students choose not to live at university, latest figures suggest - but is it worth it?
www.bbc.co.uk
January 11, 2026 at 1:13 PM
This is why the @britishacademy.bsky.social is so worried about regional ‘cold spots’ in the provision of key university courses - young people who can’t afford the costs or the commute miss out on life-changing opportunities in labour markets that need these skills… www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Lynton Lees
Plus @christabelcoops.bsky.social @redrabbleroz.bsky.social @marzmac.bsky.social @lucydelap.bsky.social and many more!
For full and unfettered access to the issue (online and in a lovely print edition) when it comes out I think you should subscribe here: renewal.org.uk
For full and unfettered access to the issue (online and in a lovely print edition) when it comes out I think you should subscribe here: renewal.org.uk
Renewal
A quarterly journal of politics and ideas, committed to exploring and expanding the radical potential of social democracy.
renewal.org.uk
January 10, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Plus @christabelcoops.bsky.social @redrabbleroz.bsky.social @marzmac.bsky.social @lucydelap.bsky.social and many more!
For full and unfettered access to the issue (online and in a lovely print edition) when it comes out I think you should subscribe here: renewal.org.uk
For full and unfettered access to the issue (online and in a lovely print edition) when it comes out I think you should subscribe here: renewal.org.uk
Lords debate on steep challenges to MFL language teacher recruitment (live now) - sobering discussion on a growing crisis, and the very real danger of languages vanishing from most young people's educational offer in the near future: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/2bb318d7-b85d-4667-a579-0e9736398f42
Parliamentlive.tv
House of Lords
parliamentlive.tv
January 8, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Lords debate on steep challenges to MFL language teacher recruitment (live now) - sobering discussion on a growing crisis, and the very real danger of languages vanishing from most young people's educational offer in the near future: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/2bb318d7-b85d-4667-a579-0e9736398f42
Reposted by Lynton Lees
England’s qualifications regulator Ofqual has said it would ‘welcome any interest’ from an awarding organisation looking to gain recognition to provide GCSEs, after all four existing exam boards in the country ruled out developing courses for the proposed British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE.
Ofqual responds as all four exam boards in England rule out developing BSL GCSE
England’s qualifications regulator Ofqual has said it would ‘welcome any interest’ from an awarding organisation looking to gain recognition to provide GCSEs, after all four existing exam boards in the country ruled out developing courses for the proposed British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE.
liamodell.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
England’s qualifications regulator Ofqual has said it would ‘welcome any interest’ from an awarding organisation looking to gain recognition to provide GCSEs, after all four existing exam boards in the country ruled out developing courses for the proposed British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE.
Reposted by Lynton Lees
We have responded to the OfS consultation on quality regulation. We welcome some proposals, including the expansion of TEF to all providers. Yet we are concerned about proposals to transform the TEF’s core aims and raise the stakes of TEF performance.
Here are our key takeaways:
Here are our key takeaways:
December 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
We have responded to the OfS consultation on quality regulation. We welcome some proposals, including the expansion of TEF to all providers. Yet we are concerned about proposals to transform the TEF’s core aims and raise the stakes of TEF performance.
Here are our key takeaways:
Here are our key takeaways:
Lots at stake in the OfS' new proposals for quality regulation and the future of the TEF! Read the British Academy's view below. Yes we went through all 246 subproposals (and eight annexes) so you don't have to - merry christmas: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/60...
December 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Lots at stake in the OfS' new proposals for quality regulation and the future of the TEF! Read the British Academy's view below. Yes we went through all 246 subproposals (and eight annexes) so you don't have to - merry christmas: www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/60...
Reposted by Lynton Lees
Reposted by Lynton Lees
British Academy's pioneering 'cold spots' work now replicated by HESA.
'University "cold spots" are developing in some parts of the country, new data analysis suggests, with courses in some subjects no longer available to students in certain regions.' 1/2
'University "cold spots" are developing in some parts of the country, new data analysis suggests, with courses in some subjects no longer available to students in certain regions.' 1/2
University students facing course 'cold spots' as enrolments fall
New data analysis suggests courses like artificial intelligence are surging in popularity as languages fall.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 8:53 AM
British Academy's pioneering 'cold spots' work now replicated by HESA.
'University "cold spots" are developing in some parts of the country, new data analysis suggests, with courses in some subjects no longer available to students in certain regions.' 1/2
'University "cold spots" are developing in some parts of the country, new data analysis suggests, with courses in some subjects no longer available to students in certain regions.' 1/2
Reposted by Lynton Lees
All these questions prove is that very few people have the slightest clue what an apprenticeship actually looks like these days.
With a report suggesting half of graduates would earn more if they had done an apprenticeship instead, our polling shows that 46% of Britons think apprenticeships better prepare young people for the future - only 6% say the same of degrees, while 43% say both equally
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
December 15, 2025 at 9:55 AM
All these questions prove is that very few people have the slightest clue what an apprenticeship actually looks like these days.
Reposted by Lynton Lees
One of the reasons that emergence of ‘cold spots’ of subject provision matters: 52% of 18 year olds from the most disadvantaged backgrounds (the most deprived quintile in the Indices of Multiple Deprivation) plan to live at home when they go the university
www.thetimes.com/article/22cc...
www.thetimes.com/article/22cc...
Nearly a third of university 18-year-olds will live at home
According to figures from Ucas, a record 89,510 18-year-olds with university offers plan to live at home when they begin their studies this autumn
www.thetimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:23 PM
One of the reasons that emergence of ‘cold spots’ of subject provision matters: 52% of 18 year olds from the most disadvantaged backgrounds (the most deprived quintile in the Indices of Multiple Deprivation) plan to live at home when they go the university
www.thetimes.com/article/22cc...
www.thetimes.com/article/22cc...
Reposted by Lynton Lees
'This was even higher among the most disadvantaged students, with more than half (52 per cent) stating that this was their intention – meaning they are three times as likely to be based at home as their wealthy peers.'
How/why Cold Spots really and increasingly matter to equality/inequality. 3/3
How/why Cold Spots really and increasingly matter to equality/inequality. 3/3
Cold spots: Mapping inequality in SHAPE provision in UK higher education
This British Academy report reveals that many parts of the UK are becoming subject cold spots – areas with no provision in a subject within a commutable distance. These are often in rural, coastal or ...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
December 10, 2025 at 1:23 PM
'This was even higher among the most disadvantaged students, with more than half (52 per cent) stating that this was their intention – meaning they are three times as likely to be based at home as their wealthy peers.'
How/why Cold Spots really and increasingly matter to equality/inequality. 3/3
How/why Cold Spots really and increasingly matter to equality/inequality. 3/3
Reposted by Lynton Lees
'A record 90,000 undergraduates are living at home this year, according to new figures from the university admissions service.' 1/3
More than half of disadvantaged students living at family home
Admissions chief fears rise of commuter students may limit access to courses for those from poorest backgrounds
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:23 PM
'A record 90,000 undergraduates are living at home this year, according to new figures from the university admissions service.' 1/3
Reposted by Lynton Lees
Can confirm this is an excellent role! You'll be joining a fantastic team at an exciting time and working on some really interesting stuff. Plenty of time to apply over the Christmas break!
We're recruiting for a Research Assistant
We're looking for someone interested in one or more of the following - institutions; governance; devolution; place-based policy; and public administration.
📆 Apply by 5 January 2026
🔗https://www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/research-assistant-fixed-term-jb48083
We're looking for someone interested in one or more of the following - institutions; governance; devolution; place-based policy; and public administration.
📆 Apply by 5 January 2026
🔗https://www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/research-assistant-fixed-term-jb48083
December 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Can confirm this is an excellent role! You'll be joining a fantastic team at an exciting time and working on some really interesting stuff. Plenty of time to apply over the Christmas break!
Reposted by Lynton Lees
‘No one seems to care’: scholars decry plight of British Library
Historian Peter Mandler said it was “a sorry state when a major piece of public infrastructure like this is hit so badly and no one in authority even seems to notice, much less care”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Historian Peter Mandler said it was “a sorry state when a major piece of public infrastructure like this is hit so badly and no one in authority even seems to notice, much less care”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
‘No one seems to care’: scholars decry plight of British Library - Research Professional News
Humanities researchers suffer amid “agonisingly slow” recovery from 2023 cyberattack, as strikes cause further delays
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:37 AM
‘No one seems to care’: scholars decry plight of British Library
Historian Peter Mandler said it was “a sorry state when a major piece of public infrastructure like this is hit so badly and no one in authority even seems to notice, much less care”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Historian Peter Mandler said it was “a sorry state when a major piece of public infrastructure like this is hit so badly and no one in authority even seems to notice, much less care”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Really enjoyed this on the fading regional promise of higher education: ‘We’ve never really believed in geographical equity in higher education. We’ve played at it, thrown money at it during boom times, made speeches about it. But when times get hard… the cold spots are always first to lose out.’
This week on Wonkhe: Seventeen years after its hopeful launch, Southend’s university campus is closing. Jim Dickinson examines what this tells us about the failure of place-based planning in UK higher education
Whatever happened to the New Universities Challenge?
Seventeen years after its hopeful launch, Southend’s university campus is closing. Jim Dickinson examines what this tells us about the failure of place-based planning in UK higher education
buff.ly
December 7, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Really enjoyed this on the fading regional promise of higher education: ‘We’ve never really believed in geographical equity in higher education. We’ve played at it, thrown money at it during boom times, made speeches about it. But when times get hard… the cold spots are always first to lose out.’
Reposted by Lynton Lees
If you are a historian with policy-facing interests who has recently submitted their PhD (or will do so imminently), this fantastic new London-based postdoc fellowship in Applied History could be for you. www.history.ac.uk/fellowships/...
Robert Mcintosh Applied History & Policy Fellowship
Robert Mcintosh Applied History & Policy Fellowship
www.history.ac.uk
December 4, 2025 at 7:44 AM
If you are a historian with policy-facing interests who has recently submitted their PhD (or will do so imminently), this fantastic new London-based postdoc fellowship in Applied History could be for you. www.history.ac.uk/fellowships/...
Reposted by Lynton Lees
What a wonderful story - and a beautiful illustration of the power of the arts.
Great writing expands our imagination. It helps us to see the world in new ways.
And that has consequences that can never be measured by "average starting salaries" or "contribution to GDP".
Great writing expands our imagination. It helps us to see the world in new ways.
And that has consequences that can never be measured by "average starting salaries" or "contribution to GDP".
December 2, 2025 at 9:35 AM
What a wonderful story - and a beautiful illustration of the power of the arts.
Great writing expands our imagination. It helps us to see the world in new ways.
And that has consequences that can never be measured by "average starting salaries" or "contribution to GDP".
Great writing expands our imagination. It helps us to see the world in new ways.
And that has consequences that can never be measured by "average starting salaries" or "contribution to GDP".
Reposted by Lynton Lees
Not reposting in agreement with the 10 principles (I disagree strongly on several), but because it's the 1st open, comprehensive agenda responding to post-16 White Paper (and the obvious direction of travel in DSIT/UKRI) I've seen from a sitting VC.
Principle 2, subject provision, merits more. 1/6
Principle 2, subject provision, merits more. 1/6
'What We Need To Do Now' ... an agenda for universities in the new post-16 system ... set out by @profserious.bsky.social profserious.substack.com/p/what-we-ne...
What We Need To Do Now
an agenda for universities in the new post-16 system
profserious.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Not reposting in agreement with the 10 principles (I disagree strongly on several), but because it's the 1st open, comprehensive agenda responding to post-16 White Paper (and the obvious direction of travel in DSIT/UKRI) I've seen from a sitting VC.
Principle 2, subject provision, merits more. 1/6
Principle 2, subject provision, merits more. 1/6