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Harriet Swain

@harrietswain.bsky.social
167 followers 265 following 62 posts

Journalist writing about higher education

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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Andy Westwood examines what Andy Burnham’s leadership of the country could mean for universities. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
This Charming Man - Research Professional News
Andy Westwood considers what Andy Burnham will offer higher education at the Labour Party conference
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Reposted by Harriet Swain
Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Research security: risks, benefits and ways forward. Institutions and researchers must navigate a security minefield—academic engagement and policy reforms are crucial, writes @harrietswain.bsky.social. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Research security: risks, benefits and ways forward - Research Professional News
Institutions and researchers must navigate a security minefield—academic engagement and policy reforms are crucial
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
As Labour prepares for its party conference, Rachel Sandby-Thomas looks at the government’s progress so far on skills. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Could do better - Research Professional News
Rachel Sandby-Thomas hopes the change of prime minister will mean more progress on skills
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
@bsky.app Matthew Flinders argues that a changing world needs a different kind of research leader. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Leading edge - Research Professional News
Matthew Flinders explains why research leadership needs more attention
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Growing concerns - Research Professional News
Vivienne Stern and Joel Arber explore how to give research a more sustainable footing
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Diana Beech considers the implications for universities of a change in prime minister. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Matters of priority - Research Professional News
Diana Beech suggests what a change of prime minister could mean for universities
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
@bsky.app Philip Rycroft assesses what the current EU-UK relationship means for universities. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
What Brexit meant - Research Professional News
Philip Rycroft weighs up whether resetting the EU-UK relationship is good news for UK universities
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Julian Sladdin considers efforts by the Office for Students to address the risk of foreign states undermining free speech and academic freedom. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Cassie Hugill calls for more recognition of the issues postgraduates from low socioeconomic backgrounds are facing. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Nurturing the next generation - Research Professional News
Cassie Hugill welcomes progress on postgraduate access but calls for broader support
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Alan Finkel says clear policies are needed to set boundaries for AI use in research. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Human oversight - Research Professional News
Alan Finkel explains how to navigate the risks of AI use in research
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Flexible retirement - Research Professional News
Raj Jethwa seeks freedom for employers to make decisions around university pension schemes
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Malcolm Press says universities want to work with funders to improve the UK's research and innovation system. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Reforming research - Research Professional News
Malcolm Press says universities and funders must improve the UK’s research and innovation system together
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Erica Conway assesses what war in Iran means for university finance directors. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Crisis management - Research Professional News
Erica Conway explains how university finance directors will be responding to conflict in Iran
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Hollie Chandler suggests ways of maintaining US-UK research collaborations in challenging circumstances. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Special relationships - Research Professional News
Hollie Chandler explains how global politics is affecting UK-US research collaboration
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Shearer West marks International Women’s Day by reflecting on women’s progress in higher education. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
How to boost women’s power in universities - Research Professional News
To mark International Women’s Day, Shearer West explains what measures are needed to drive equality
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Simon Usherwood urges universities to be realistic about a reset with the EU. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Don’t look back - Research Professional News
Simon Usherwood warns universities that a reset with the EU is no return to membership
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Nicholas Barr makes the case for lowering student loan repayment thresholds. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Loan fix - Research Professional News
Nicholas Barr argues that student loan repayment thresholds should not just be frozen but lowered
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Catherine Gladwell finds opportunities for universities in government migration policies. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Good migrations - Research Professional News
Catherine Gladwell welcomes new immigration policies that offer opportunities for universities and refugee students
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
David Pilsbury is disappointed by the government's revamped international education strategy. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
International education strategy is a passport to nowhere - Research Professional News
David Pilsbury says updated strategy fails to address issues universities have raised time and again
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Adam Tickell says it’s time to stop blaming the Russell Group for the university sector’s struggles. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Stop the scapegoating - Research Professional News
Adam Tickell says the Russell Group should not be blamed for the university sector’s challenges
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Reposted by Harriet Swain
LSE Impact @lseimpactblog.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
💥New: Why is research led by women retracted less frequently? ✍️ @curtrice.bsky.social #ResearchIntegrity #Retractions #AcademicSky
blogs.lse.ac.uk
Why is research led by women retracted less frequently? - Impact of Social Sciences
A recent study found research by women had fewer retractions. Are women betters researchers, or does the finding reflect wider structural issues?
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Searching for security - Research Professional News
Nataliya Rumyantseva describes the experience of being a British-Ukrainian academic amid global instability
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
University leaders and thinkers suggest the dos and don'ts of collaborating in 2026. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Sector leaders on forging new partnerships in the new year - Research Professional News
Seven leaders discuss how to respond to government push for more collaboration between universities
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Katherine Mathieson explains the importance of the Royal Institution's Christmas lectures. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Share the magic - Research Professional News
Katherine Mathieson explains why the Royal Institution’s Christmas Lectures matter for science
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Hetan Shah offers solutions to the pressures facing arts and humanities. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Human values - Research Professional News
Hetan Shah suggests solutions to counter the current pressures on arts and humanities
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Kate Ogden, from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, considers what was in the budget for higher education. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Economist’s eye - Research Professional News
Institute for Fiscal Studies’ Kate Ogden assesses what the budget means for higher education
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Jo Grady anticipates the budget fallout and calls for higher education leaders to stand up for universities. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
At the budget brink - Research Professional News
Jo Grady says it is time university leaders stood up for higher education
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Anna Mountford-Zimdars and colleagues explore why the higher education social mobility industry needs a shake-up. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Fair question - Research Professional News
Anna Mountford-Zimdars, Louise Ashley, Eve Worth and Chris Playford inspect higher education’s social mobility industry
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Rosalind Gill assesses the significance of the latest funding settlement for research and development. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
From commitment to achievement - Research Professional News
Rosalind Gill explains what the recently announced R&D allocation means for UK growth
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Sarah Stevens assesses what should happen now that the post-16 white paper has been published. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
From paper to practice - Research Professional News
Sarah Stevens says realising the vision behind the skills white paper will mean engaging universities
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Andrew Jones sets out ideas for using the pause to REF 2029. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
After the break - Research Professional News
Andrew Jones suggests how to use a pause to the next Research Excellence Framework
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Mark Corver highlights the data sets that will direct higher education strategy this autumn www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Data sets - Research Professional News
Mark Corver identifies key numbers for higher education to watch this autumn
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Sanjush Dalmia suggests talking points for the Labour Party conference around research. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Research team - Research Professional News
Sanjush Dalmia suggests Labour Party conference discussion points around Britain’s R&D future
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
www.journalism.co.uk/news/democra...
journalism.co.uk
Democracy under threat: Why regenerating local news is crucial to counter rising authoritarianism
As populist politicians from Trump to Farage attack press freedom, the collapse of local journalism has left communities vulnerable to misinformation. Jonathan Heawood argues that rebuilding trustwort...
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Louise Thompson explains how smaller political parties could influence higher education policies.https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-views-of-the-uk-2025-september-small-voices/
researchprofessionalnews.com
Small voices - Research Professional News
Louise Thompson says smaller political parties can still have influence on higher education policy
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Diana Beech looks ahead to the political party conferences. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Conference lobby - Research Professional News
Diana Beech asks what universities should expect from the 2025 political party gatherings
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Douglas Dowell argues that UK researchers need certainty about future association to Horizon Europe. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Continuing horizons - Research Professional News
Douglas Dowell says after thriving in the EU’s flagship R&D programme, the UK needs certainty
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Vivienne Stern argues that the next few months will be critical for universities. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Piecing things together - Research Professional News
Vivienne Stern argues that universities face profound changes but could be a source of optimism
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Raj Jethwa calls on unions to learn from experience when it comes to pay negotiations. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Collective experience - Research Professional News
Raj Jethwa argues that by conceding on pay affordability, university unions could secure progress elsewhere
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Chris Skidmore and David Pilsbury call for regional international higher education champions. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Beyond borders - Research Professional News
Chris Skidmore and David Pilsbury suggest how regionalising international education could have national impact
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Rebekah Smith McGloin says doctoral education must learn to adapt to increased pressures. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Doctorate’s prescription - Research Professional News
Rebekah Smith McGloin argues that doctoral education must be open to change
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Reposted by Harriet Swain
PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
The Lord Cormack Fellowship is a month-long paid fellowship with @thehousemag.bsky.social ✅ Comprehensive introduction to political journalism ✅ Applications open to anyone over the age of 18 ✅ Paid and provided with London accommodation Apply now 👇
totalpoliticsgroup.bamboohr.com
The House Magazine’s Lord Cormack Fellowship
The Lord Cormack Fellowship is a month-long paid fellowship with Parliament’s magazine, The House.  The fellowship aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to political journalism, magazine produc...
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
David Maguire and Alex Bols identify university hot and cold spots in England. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Cross-country learning - Research Professional News
David Maguire and Alex Bols consider the significance of higher education cold and hot spots
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Rachel Brooks explores what a balanced youth mobility scheme and rejoining Erasmus+ would look like for UK universities. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
View of exchanges - Research Professional News
Rachel Brooks considers how increased youth mobility and rejoining Erasmus+ could work for UK universities
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Kitty Kent explores how some higher education institutions are successfully navigating difficult economic weather. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
A survivors’ guide - Research Professional News
Kitty Kent identifies common features of higher education institutions managing to weather current economic storms
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Omar Khan argues that universities can establish legitimacy with the public by tackling inequalities. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Equal measures - Research Professional News
Omar Khan argues that tackling inequalities will help universities secure public support
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Johnny Rich argues that Trumpian chaos presents opportunities that UK universities cannot ignore. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
World stage - Research Professional News
Johnny Rich argues that UK higher education must seize the opportunities presented by Trumpian dramas
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Ben Hunt says the OfS’s Student Interest Board is an opportunity to rethink student engagement. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Giving students a say - Research Professional News
Ben Hunt says the Office for Students needs a reset on student engagement
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
In this week’s Sunday Reading, Lisa Roberts explains why R&D funding should be seen as an investment in the future. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Spring statement, summer spending - Research Professional News
Lisa Roberts urges the government to recognise how R&D can boost the economy
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Harriet Swain @harrietswain.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Nataliya Rumyantseva says UK universities need a more strategic approach to supporting higher education in Ukraine. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-v...
researchprofessionalnews.com
Conflict resolutions - Research Professional News
Nataliya Rumyantseva suggests how UK universities can improve support for Ukraine’s higher education sector
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