{"id":4295,"date":"2016-11-08T17:50:09","date_gmt":"2016-11-08T17:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/cel\/?p=4295"},"modified":"2016-11-08T17:50:09","modified_gmt":"2016-11-08T17:50:09","slug":"policy-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/flie\/2016\/11\/08\/policy-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Policy update:"},"content":{"rendered":"

===Colleagues, please see below the recent policy update from Jane Forster, OVC, note short survey for any staff who are Governors\/ work with schools===<\/p>\n

Dear all<\/p>\n

Schools that work for everyone consultation<\/u><\/p>\n

In addition to the consultation workshop (second one on 17th<\/sup> November) we have set up a short survey for staff members who have experience of working with schools as governors or otherwise \u2013 please complete the survey here<\/a> and let us have your views (closing on 18th<\/sup> November). Please do pass it on to other colleagues if you know that they are involved with schools. I would also be grateful for relevant research, evidence or case studies about what does and doesn\u2019t work to improve attainment in schools.<\/p>\n

Brexit<\/u><\/p>\n

The big story this week is of course the court decision that Parliament must be consulted before article 50 is triggered. It is hard to say at the moment what the impact will be, there will be a government appeal, the House of Commons may well approve it (after what will no doubt be a lively debate), there may be a more difficult debate in the House of Lords. The only effect may be a delay (although the government say there won\u2019t). There is also speculation about a possible early election either before a vote on article 50 (if it looks difficult) or after if the government loses. There will also be efforts to link approval of the article 50 issue to a further approval of the deal and a possible second referendum \u2013 the latter seems unlikely to succeed.<\/p>\n

The Committee for Exiting the EU is running an inquiry<\/a> into government objectives in the Brexit negotiations. There is no deadline but written submissions are requested as soon as possible to inform later oral evidence sessions.<\/p>\n

In an article in the Telegraph on 28th<\/sup> October<\/a>, Alastair Jarvis of UUK writes about government priorities for HE in the Brexit debate: \u201cSo what should Government do to maximise the positive impact of universities? In my view, there are four priorities: encouraging students from around the world to choose to study in the UK; making the UK an attractive destination for talented staff; enhancing international research partnerships; and increasing public investment in research and innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Using research to influence policy: <\/u>Kate Dommett from the University of Sheffield in the Guardian on 1st<\/sup> November<\/a>, on why Michael Gove may have a point and experts need to raise their game \u201cThere are some easy ways to improve things. At a basic level, academics can focus on timely ways of translating and communicating their research, in a form that is clear, accessible and relevant to parliamentary requirements. They can ensure that expertise is targeted at the most appropriate part of parliament, recognising that the various elements of the system \u2013 MPs, advisers, committee clerks and others \u2013 have different knowledge requirements. The deeper challenge is to incorporate an understanding of what different audiences want into the research process itself. Whether working with parliament, government, charities or the media, academics can benefit from engaging in a more open dialogue throughout the research process, to ensure that evidence and expert input come in a useful and accessible form.\u201d<\/p>\n

Teaching Excellence: <\/u>The HEFCE TEF guidance<\/a> was issued this week along with the template for the provider submission, and HEFCE launched its National Mixed Methodology Learning Gain Project<\/a> to add to the existing pilot studies. The new study will involve 27,000 students from 10 organisations. There is an interesting article on Wonkhe<\/a> looking at learning gain and other alternative metrics that could be used in the TEF<\/p>\n

International Students: <\/u>Former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has criticised<\/a> Home Secretary Amber Rudd\u2019s proposals to limit the sector\u2019s ability to recruit international students based on quality. The article, which appeared on Conservative Home, questioned how \u2018high-quality\u2019 universities and courses would be defined. The consultation on this is expected at the end of the month \u2013 possibly after the autumn statement.<\/p>\n

Credit transfer.<\/p>\n

The government is due to respond on to its consultation on credit transfer and accelerated degrees before Christmas. The consultation apparently received 4500 responses (which will have been the result of a request for evidence from individual students about their own experiences. Credit transfer already happens but in a provocative and interesting article anticipating the response, Wonkhe suggest<\/a> 4 areas for review:<\/p>\n