Wonkhe
@wonkhe.bsky.social
Home of the higher education debate
www.wonkhe.com
Editor in Chief @markleach.bsky.social
www.wonkhe.com
Editor in Chief @markleach.bsky.social
NEW on Wonkhe: What if austerity really was over? buff.ly/5cf2lNO
February 16, 2026 at 9:01 AM
NEW on Wonkhe: What if austerity really was over? buff.ly/5cf2lNO
Last week on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson sets out the key legal findings in the latest ruling on single-sex provision and considers their practical impact for universities.
The High Court rules on EHRC's guidance on single-sex
Jim Dickinson sets out the key legal findings in the latest ruling on single-sex provision and considers their practical impact for universities.
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February 16, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Last week on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson sets out the key legal findings in the latest ruling on single-sex provision and considers their practical impact for universities.
Last week on Wonkhe: Accelerated degree apprenticeships speak to the current policy moment in England – but there are clear challenges with rolling these programmes out. Charlynne Pullen and Claire Wolstenholme have been investigating
Why aren’t there more accelerated degree apprenticeships?
Accelerated degree apprenticeships speak to the current policy moment in England – but there are clear challenges with rolling these programmes out. Charlynne Pullen and Claire Wolstenholme have been...
buff.ly
February 16, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Last week on Wonkhe: Accelerated degree apprenticeships speak to the current policy moment in England – but there are clear challenges with rolling these programmes out. Charlynne Pullen and Claire Wolstenholme have been investigating
Last week on Wonkhe: Chiara Portinari argues that rigid staff-student categories undermine learning – and explores the hybrid roles replacing them
Universities that can learn means getting beyond the staff–student binary
Chiara Portinari argues that rigid staff-student categories undermine learning – and explores the hybrid roles replacing them Chiara Portinari argues that rigid staff-student categories undermine learning...
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February 16, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Last week on Wonkhe: Chiara Portinari argues that rigid staff-student categories undermine learning – and explores the hybrid roles replacing them
Last week on Wonkhe: This week’s card from Hugh Jones’ postbag wishes a happy birthday to a revolutionary institution
Higher education postcard: UCL, the early years
This week’s card from Hugh Jones’ postbag wishes a happy birthday to a revolutionary institution This week’s card from Hugh Jones’ postbag wishes a happy birthday to a revolutionary institution
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February 16, 2026 at 7:15 AM
Last week on Wonkhe: This week’s card from Hugh Jones’ postbag wishes a happy birthday to a revolutionary institution
Last week on Wonkhe: Pathway and English for Academic Purposes examiners are being pushed into an administrative gap which no-one is addressing. Gemma Peacock explains the problem
Tax rules are penalising some external examiners
Pathway and English for Academic Purposes examiners are being pushed into an administrative gap which no-one is addressing. Gemma Peacock explains the problem Pathway and English for Academic Purposes...
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February 16, 2026 at 7:10 AM
Last week on Wonkhe: Pathway and English for Academic Purposes examiners are being pushed into an administrative gap which no-one is addressing. Gemma Peacock explains the problem
Last week on Wonkhe: James Coe unpacks how more attention to political communications can make the whole research funding debate better
Why research communications needs more politics
James Coe unpacks how more attention to political communications can make the whole research funding debate better
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February 16, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Last week on Wonkhe: James Coe unpacks how more attention to political communications can make the whole research funding debate better
Last week on Wonkhe: A new consultation from UCAS offers the chance to comment on application limits, insurance acceptances, and the use of deadlines. David Kernohan is ready to fill the form in.
It's time to respond to UCAS
A new consultation from UCAS offers the chance to comment on application limits, insurance acceptances, and the use of deadlines. David Kernohan is ready to fill the form in
buff.ly
February 16, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Last week on Wonkhe: A new consultation from UCAS offers the chance to comment on application limits, insurance acceptances, and the use of deadlines. David Kernohan is ready to fill the form in.
Last week on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson unpacks the bleak new numbers behind England’s student loans — and the growing pressure on repayments and fiscal rules
The walls are closing in on our doomed student loan system
Jim Dickinson unpacks the bleak new numbers behind England’s student loans - and the growing pressure on repayments and fiscal rules
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Last week on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson unpacks the bleak new numbers behind England’s student loans — and the growing pressure on repayments and fiscal rules
Last week on Wonkhe: Universities are at the forefront of global campaigns for influence and power. James Coe unpacks limitations of new guidance when it comes to spies, spying, and state interference.
Jacqui Smith's secret service
Universities are at the forefront of global campaigns for influence and power. James Coe unpacks limitations of new guidance when it comes to spies, spying, and state interference
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Last week on Wonkhe: Universities are at the forefront of global campaigns for influence and power. James Coe unpacks limitations of new guidance when it comes to spies, spying, and state interference.
Last week on Wonkhe: This week on the podcast MI5 has warned universities that UK higher education has become a "prime target for foreign states and hostile actors"
Podcast: MI5, Labour, free speech
This week on the podcast MI5 has warned universities that UK higher education has become a "prime target for foreign states and hostile actors" – so what are the risks and how should the sector respond...
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Last week on Wonkhe: This week on the podcast MI5 has warned universities that UK higher education has become a "prime target for foreign states and hostile actors"
Last week on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson reviews a Welsh HE system too concentrated geographically, too thin in subject breadth, and too dependent on English demand to serve the students it's supposed to be for
Wales needs a plan. Don’t we all
Jim Dickinson reviews a Welsh HE system too concentrated geographically, too thin in subject breadth, and too dependent on English demand to serve the students it's supposed to be for Jim Dickinson reviews...
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February 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Last week on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson reviews a Welsh HE system too concentrated geographically, too thin in subject breadth, and too dependent on English demand to serve the students it's supposed to be for
Last week on Wonkhe: For Rex McKenzie, higher education assessment has always privileged certain discourses – but the rise of artificial intelligence means that this can no longer hold
AI shatters the pretence that academic polish was ever anything but gatekeeping
For Rex McKenzie, higher education assessment has always privileged certain discourses – but the rise of artificial intelligence means that this can no longer hold For Rex McKenzie, higher education...
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February 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Last week on Wonkhe: For Rex McKenzie, higher education assessment has always privileged certain discourses – but the rise of artificial intelligence means that this can no longer hold
Last week on Wonkhe: The traditional commercialisation paradigm isn’t the only way to approach knowledge exchange. Kim Stuart and Audrey Cumberford introduce a new initiative in Scotland spanning modern and smaller universities and the college sector
New collaborative models of knowledge exchange are needed
The traditional commercialisation paradigm isn’t the only way to approach knowledge exchange. Kim Stuart and Audrey Cumberford introduce a new initiative in Scotland spanning modern and smaller universities...
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Last week on Wonkhe: The traditional commercialisation paradigm isn’t the only way to approach knowledge exchange. Kim Stuart and Audrey Cumberford introduce a new initiative in Scotland spanning modern and smaller universities and the college sector
Last week on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson explores the growing evidence that AI isn't just changing what students produce – it's changing what their brains are ready to do, and asks whether HE can redesign itself around a question it has been avoiding for decades
Now the struggle is no longer real, are students becoming stupid?
Jim Dickinson explores the growing evidence that AI isn't just changing what students produce – it's changing what their brains are ready to do, and asks whether HE can redesign itself around a question...
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February 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Last week on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson explores the growing evidence that AI isn't just changing what students produce – it's changing what their brains are ready to do, and asks whether HE can redesign itself around a question it has been avoiding for decades
Last week on Wonkhe: David Kernohan watched Sussex vs OfS proceedings in the high court and was surprised by just how big some of the implications may be for the whole English HE sector
Eight things to look for when we get the judgement on University of Sussex vs OfS
David Kernohan watched Sussex vs OfS proceedings in the high court and was surprised by just how big some of the implications may be for the whole English HE sector
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Last week on Wonkhe: David Kernohan watched Sussex vs OfS proceedings in the high court and was surprised by just how big some of the implications may be for the whole English HE sector
Last week on Wonkhe: The stakes around graduate employability have never been higher. Tom Lowe and Liz George set out how their new guide helps students navigate the pressure
Helping students articulate what they've learned
The stakes around graduate employability have never been higher. Tom Lowe and Liz George set out how their new guide helps students navigate the pressure
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February 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Last week on Wonkhe: The stakes around graduate employability have never been higher. Tom Lowe and Liz George set out how their new guide helps students navigate the pressure
Last week on Wonkhe: To weather the AI storm, Charlotte von Essen argues that assessment needs to be both authentic and accountable.
What does authentic assessment mean in the context of AI?
To weather the AI storm, Charlotte von Essen argues that assessment needs to be both authentic and accountable.
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Last week on Wonkhe: To weather the AI storm, Charlotte von Essen argues that assessment needs to be both authentic and accountable.
Last week on Wonkhe: Might management apprenticeships be “streamlined” out of existence? Malcolm Press and Ann Francke warn of the economic and labour market impact of any such move
Cutting management apprenticeships would set young people up to fail at work
Might management apprenticeships be “streamlined” out of existence? Malcolm Press and Ann Francke warn of the economic and labour market impact of any such move Might management apprenticeships be...
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February 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Last week on Wonkhe: Might management apprenticeships be “streamlined” out of existence? Malcolm Press and Ann Francke warn of the economic and labour market impact of any such move
NEW on Wonkhe: David Kernohan tracks the changes in the subject and provider spread of student numbers over ten eventful years in UK higher education buff.ly/tt4GQhk
February 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM
NEW on Wonkhe: David Kernohan tracks the changes in the subject and provider spread of student numbers over ten eventful years in UK higher education buff.ly/tt4GQhk
This week on Wonkhe: To weather the AI storm, Charlotte von Essen argues that assessment needs to be both authentic and accountable.
What does authentic assessment mean in the context of AI?
To weather the AI storm, Charlotte von Essen argues that assessment needs to be both authentic and accountable.
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 9:00 AM
This week on Wonkhe: To weather the AI storm, Charlotte von Essen argues that assessment needs to be both authentic and accountable.
This week on Wonkhe: Chiara Portinari argues that rigid staff-student categories undermine learning – and explores the hybrid roles replacing them
Universities that can learn means getting beyond the staff–student binary
Chiara Portinari argues that rigid staff-student categories undermine learning – and explores the hybrid roles replacing them Chiara Portinari argues that rigid staff-student categories undermine learning...
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM
This week on Wonkhe: Chiara Portinari argues that rigid staff-student categories undermine learning – and explores the hybrid roles replacing them
This week on Wonkhe: Accelerated degree apprenticeships speak to the current policy moment in England – but there are clear challenges with rolling these programmes out. Charlynne Pullen and Claire Wolstenholme have been investigating
Why aren’t there more accelerated degree apprenticeships?
Accelerated degree apprenticeships speak to the current policy moment in England – but there are clear challenges with rolling these programmes out. Charlynne Pullen and Claire Wolstenholme have been...
buff.ly
February 15, 2026 at 7:00 AM
This week on Wonkhe: Accelerated degree apprenticeships speak to the current policy moment in England – but there are clear challenges with rolling these programmes out. Charlynne Pullen and Claire Wolstenholme have been investigating
This week on Wonkhe: The traditional commercialisation paradigm isn’t the only way to approach knowledge exchange. Kim Stuart and Audrey Cumberford introduce a new initiative in Scotland spanning modern and smaller universities and the college sector
New collaborative models of knowledge exchange are needed
The traditional commercialisation paradigm isn’t the only way to approach knowledge exchange. Kim Stuart and Audrey Cumberford introduce a new initiative in Scotland spanning modern and smaller universities...
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 9:00 PM
This week on Wonkhe: The traditional commercialisation paradigm isn’t the only way to approach knowledge exchange. Kim Stuart and Audrey Cumberford introduce a new initiative in Scotland spanning modern and smaller universities and the college sector
This week on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson unpacks the bleak new numbers behind England’s student loans — and the growing pressure on repayments and fiscal rules
The walls are closing in on our doomed student loan system
Jim Dickinson unpacks the bleak new numbers behind England’s student loans - and the growing pressure on repayments and fiscal rules
buff.ly
February 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM
This week on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson unpacks the bleak new numbers behind England’s student loans — and the growing pressure on repayments and fiscal rules