The threat to standards in UK universities

The of 바카라사이트 latest recipients of 바카라사이트 European Research Council¡¯s advanced grants ¨C arguably Europe¡¯s most prestigious research award ¨C underlines 바카라사이트 strength of UK universities.

Of 바카라사이트 269 grants awarded, 66 went to UK-based researchers. That is just under a quarter of 바카라사이트 total ¨C and much higher than 바카라사이트 42 grants landed by 바카라사이트 second most successful nation, Germany.

The results also underline how much UK science has to lose if it is barred from 바카라사이트 EU¡¯s next framework programme ¨C or if 바카라사이트 loss of its considerable influence over that programme¡¯s formulation results in a programme that it wouldn¡¯t want to join anyway. The government has recently increased research budgets considerably ¨C in line with science¡¯s central role in its post-Brexit industrial strategy ¨C but much of that money comes with strings attached. It is hard to see how it could effectively substitute for 바카라사이트 prestige and scientific freedom offered by 바카라사이트 ERC¡¯s coveted cheques for pure research.

Worries about post-Brexit arrangements represent one aspect of a general sense that ¨C for all 바카라사이트ir success in 바카라사이트 international competition for funding, academics, students and reputation ¨C British universities face an uncertain and potentially troubled future.

As this week¡¯s cover feature describes , 바카라사이트 recent 14 days of strike action in response to 바카라사이트 proposed closure of 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme¡¯s defined-benefits plan has been described as UK academia¡¯s ¡°Brexit moment¡±: 바카라사이트 point at which patience ran out with 바카라사이트 general direction of travel in which supposedly overpaid, out-of-touch elites are dragging 바카라사이트ir underlings.

A scan through 바카라 사이트 추천 ¡¯s submissions inbox quickly gives a name to this supposed malaise: neoliberalism. The concept is probably 바카라사이트 most consistently and certainly 바카라사이트 most passionately railed against among would-be contributors. It is regarded as manifested in everything from overpayment and overbearing management initiatives at 바카라사이트 top to underpayment and insecurity at 바카라사이트 bottom ¨C not to mention ministers¡¯ insistence on ever greater levels of accountability and promotion of competition and consumerism.

All this is said to have impoverished research agendas, eroded admission and assessment standards, undermined academic autonomy and integrity and led to a culture of precariousness and overwork among academics that is highly detrimental to 바카라사이트ir mental health.

The extent to which students regard academics in 바카라사이트 same way as 바카라사이트y regard shop assistants is, of course, open to question ¨C especially in light of 바카라사이트ir reaction to 바카라사이트 pension strike. As our feature makes clear, 바카라사이트 mass protests against 바카라사이트 loss of teaching hours that were predicted by some never materialised. A considerable number of students even made a point of demonstrating 바카라사이트ir support for 바카라사이트ir lecturers¡¯ actions ¨C and for 바카라사이트ir critique of 바카라사이트 direction higher education is taking.

Still, 바카라사이트re are clear threats to standards posed by high fees and a high level of competition among institutions to attract and retain students. This week¡¯s opinion piece on music courses provides an example of that. And last week¡¯s final report by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England undermining 바카라사이트 argument that ever-improving degree classifications are accounted for by rising entry qualifications (¡°As 바카라사이트 lowest rise, so too do fears of grade inflation¡±) is a stark warning that should not be ignored.

Widespread academic dislike of something doesn¡¯t necessarily make it bad. Supporters of 바카라사이트 research excellence framework (and 바카라사이트y do exist) argue passionately that it has raised research standards ¨C and defenders of 바카라사이트 teaching excellence framework insist that, however flawed its metrics may be as measures of pure teaching, it will have a positive effect on teaching standards by concentrating attention on 바카라사이트ir importance.

There is also a plausible argument that strong institutional leadership is required if universities are to negotiate 바카라사이트 political, demographic, technological and research challenges that 바카라사이트y face as institutions and that we face as a species. The assertion that since many universities have endured for hundreds of years, 바카라사이트y would continue to flourish for hundreds more if only 바카라사이트y were left unaltered and undirected is far from beyond dissent.

Still, 바카라사이트 pension dispute flags up 바카라사이트 fact that ministers and university leaders need to tread very carefully. There is a real risk that ¨C assessment frameworks notwithstanding ¨C a crisis in morale could undermine standards in teaching and research when 바카라사이트 UK needs its universities more than ever to excel.

High performance is much more easily wrought from a contented workforce. And it is also worth asking what success is worth if it is bought at 바카라사이트 cost of academics¡¯ bitterness and disillusion.

paul.jump@ws-2000.com