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representative of the research going on in British universities. A lot of people carrying out research are not entered in the REF, because it doesn’t happen to fall into a particular area of strength.” Therefore, she argues, certain areas – notably the arts and humanities – could be left behind, as universities and individuals focus on risk averse projects which could boost their standings in league tables. “There is a lot of talk around ‘impact’ and ‘value for
money,’ and a questioning of the value of humanities degrees,” comments Morrish. “This is ironic, because if you look at the cabinet and shadow cabinet, more than 80% of them probably have arts and humanities degrees. It seems to be that these subjects are for the elite and privileged, but not for anybody else”. The ‘value for money’ of the REF itself has also been hotly contested, with Derek Sayer, Professor of Cultural History at Lancaster University, claiming that its overall cost to universities is around £200m; far higher than official estimates of £60m. UK research is already suffering due to the influence of the metrics-based regime, says Morrish, particularly in the arts, where business, consultancy and charitable donations are less likely sources of income – to the detriment of ‘blue sky’ thinking. If HE culture becomes configured entirely around these financial priorities, argues Morrish, it could seriously erode the UK’s international standing, by denigrating the excellence which occurs throughout the sector. It could also prompt a recruitment crisis, due to a waning throughput of postgraduates, who would typically staff key academic posts in the future. With a general election approaching, the main
on average, have wealthier graduates capable of making larger donations” argues Simmons. “Those institutions also receive the majority of government research funding. That investment, and its resulting impacts inevitably atract donors with an interest in those fields, whether or not they are alumni.” Critics also allege that HEFCE cash particularly
benefits these institutions, most notably those sited in the ‘golden triangle’ of London, Oxford and Cambridge. Research funding awarded to universities by the organisation is based on the results of the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) data, which seeks to quantitatively determine the ‘quality’ and ‘impact’ of academics’ research work. However, according to Liz Morrish, Subject Leader in Linguistics at Notingham Trent University, its findings will invariably privilege certain areas of science and technology disciplines, which distorts its findings. The REF, she says, “is not
parties – perhaps haunted by the spectre of the Liberal Democrats’ infamous backtracking over tuition fees – have remained conspicuously silent on the thorny topic of HE funding. Despite noises from Labour suggesting a cap on tuition fees at £6k, and the possible introduction of a graduate tax, these have yet to be enshrined in a formal manifesto. Coalition Home Secretary Theresa May’s recent proposals – apparently quashed – to send home overseas graduates have caused further consternation, leaving HE’s future prospects suspended in the balance. “VCs are terrified that there will be a freeze on fees, as the gravy days won’t last for very long as revenues become soaked up by institutional changes and improvements,” comments Morrish. Just how the next government configures the funding regime, and universities’ own capacities to autonomously generate income, could both prove crucial to securing HE’s long-term solvency. UB
LEFT: The University of East Anglia
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