Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Interesting discussion with the PGCert in HE participants, wasn't it? I agree with you: we need to wrestle with some of these issues. Thanks for the feedback (and the cool art photo). 010
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 06/08/2026New paper by me for BJES on how codes of #governance in #education can conceal all sorts of ideological assumptions. #CDA #HigherEducation #university www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.comGovernance Codes and the Discursive Construction of ‘Good Governance’ In Higher EducationCodes of governance in education carry symbolic and operational weight, and are increasingly powerful normalising texts. They help institutionalise particular visions of purpose, accountability and... 082
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 28/05/2026New paper from me, trying to develop a theory of #university #governance that's compatible with more market-driven models of #HigherEducation. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.comTheorising governance and civic mission in the market era of higher educationUniversity governance is being reshaped globally by marketisation, regulatory reform and new accountability regimes, yet much of the literature continues to rely on traditional models (collegial, c... 064
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 07/05/2026Universities shouldn't have to "win over" the Home Office. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/smith-t...timeshighereducation.comSmith: Target quality over ‘bums on seats’ to win over Home OfficeSkills minister acknowledges commitment to reducing net migration is causing ‘competing priorities’ in UK government 1176
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 16/02/2026Excruciating at so many levels... 'Peterson said there were three predictors of “politically correct authoritarianism”, of which the first was “being female”, at which point Goodwin interjected and added: “I was going to say that.”' www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.com‘Handmaid’s Tale future’: Reform’s Matt Goodwin sparks outcry with fertility commentsByelection candidate accused of indulging ‘alt right fantasy’ by suggesting women need ‘biological reality’ check 020
Reposted by Steve JonesQM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 04/12/2025Excited for the publication of this code. Yes, the funding model is broken, but fixing that alone won't solve #UKHE: there's a lot *within* the sector that's fed the crisis. We need to improve governance and accountability, and this code is a key step to achieve that. Grateful for all the work. 053
Reposted by Steve JonesManchester Institute of Education (MIE) @educationuom.bsky.social · 04/12/2025Really important work here from MIE’s @profstevenjones.bsky.social, calling for stronger accountability and greater transparency in university governance. 021
Reposted by Steve JonesChris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 04/12/2025UK university boards hampered by power imbalances and over-familiarity with senior managers, warns @hepi-news.bsky.social report by @profstevenjones.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/boards-... via @julietterowsell.bsky.socialtimeshighereducation.comBoards hampered by ‘power imbalances and over-familiarity’New ‘ethical code’ attempts to address criticism that university governance is ‘dominated by cliques’ 022
Reposted by Steve JonesMike Ratcliffe @mike-rat.bsky.social · 04/12/2025Excellent launch event for the CDBU Code of Ethical University Governance. Very important principles set out - starting with constructive criticism. There’s been a reminder today from OfS that providers need to meet the public interest governance principles. 132
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 04/12/2025Thank you to everyone who responded to the consultation. This is the first Code of #governance in the #UKHE sector to be grounded in academic research and to reflect a broad spectrum of views. A summary of consultation responses is here. www.hepi.ac.uk/reports/stro...hepi.ac.ukStrong support for ethical reform of university governance - HEPINew research suggests there is strong backing for a university governance Code that addresses power imbalances and over-financialisation. This is the first of two reports that HEPI is publishing on un... 043
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 04/12/2025Excited to see the final version of the @cdbu.bsky.social Code of Ethical University Governance in the public domain, and looking forward to the launch event in Parliament later today. cdbu.org.uk/cdbu-code-20... #UKHE #governancecdbu.org.ukCDBU Code of Ethical University Governance | CDBU 1103
Reposted by Steve JonesCouncil for the Defence of British Universities @cdbu.bsky.social · 14/11/2025We are pleased to announce that the CDBU Code of Ethical University Governance will be officially launched by @profstevenjones.bsky.social on 4 December, at the House of Commons. Prof Jones will be joined by an excellent panel of speakers. There are limited spaces, so RSVP as soon as possible. 121
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 07/11/2025Looking forward to this #UKHE event on December 4th. 061
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 04/11/2025I have a chapter in this new collection (on Exit Cultures in the Market Era of Higher Education), and I'll be speaking about it at today's launch event. us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...us06web.zoom.usWelcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Exited Launch. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Exited Launch. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. 040
Reposted by Steve JonesPaul Ashwin @paulashwin.bsky.social · 27/10/2025me, @profstevenjones.bsky.social and others on the dangers of the Skills White Paper proposals for measuring and assuring the quality of education offered by HE institutions: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/risk-st...timeshighereducation.comRisk of ‘standardisation’ as ministers mull progression measuresUniversities would look to ‘game’ new metric for testing learning gain, critics warn, with external examination defended as ‘best we’ve got’ 075
Reposted by Steve JonesChris Havergal @chrishavergal.bsky.social · 27/10/2025Reforming external examining and introducing progression measure risk standardising university curricula and treating them like schools, warn @paulashwin.bsky.social @davehitchcock.bsky.social @profstevenjones.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/risk-st... via @julietterowsell.bsky.socialtimeshighereducation.comRisk of ‘standardisation’ as ministers mull progression measuresUniversities would look to ‘game’ new metric for testing learning gain, critics warn, with external examination defended as ‘best we’ve got’ 044
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 17/10/2025Just in case the unhidden debt isn't enough... www.theguardian.com/education/20...theguardian.comStudents owe nearly £500m of ‘hidden debts’ to UK universities, figures revealFoI data shows 180,000 students and graduates have private debts to their institutions amid cost of living crisis 063
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 30/09/2025Office for Students does such a good job regulating HE, it's given FE too. www.gov.uk/government/n...gov.ukPrime Minister unveils reforms to transform further and higher educationYoung people across the country will gain the skills needed to thrive in tomorrow’s job market, as the Prime Minister today announced a package of reforms. 080
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 16/09/2025Really enjoyed welcoming new MA Education Leadership in Practice recruits to @manchester.ac.uk. #UKHE #HigherEd 050
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 11/09/2025Details of a talk I'm giving on #UKHE tomorrow, just in case you're in or around Manchester. All welcome. 041
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 11/08/2025Worrying new @timeshighered.bsky.social piece about some of the strategies being used by universities to lure students this year, which include the chance to win free accommodation. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/scene-s...timeshighereducation.com‘Scene set’ for busy clearing as recruitment ‘games’ commenceUniversities turn to advertising, freebies and unconditional offers to attract students, with large numbers expected to change their mind post-results 034
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 23/07/2025It is remarkable that none of the ten universities benefiting from from the government’s £54 million #UKHE Global Talent Fund are based in the North of England. Poorly conceived funding stream, irresponsibly distributed? www.n8research.org.uk/n8-responds-...n8research.org.ukN8 responds to announcement of institutions selected for the Global Talent Fund - N8 Research PartnershipOn July 18th, it was announced that ten UK research universities are to be awarded around £4.5 million each from the UK government’s £54 million Global Talent Fund, designed to attract world-class int... 054
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 22/07/2025Last chance to feedback on the draft Code of Ethical University Governance, which I drafted for the @cdbu.bsky.social earlier this year (survey closes 31 July). There's a link to the draft Code on the survey's landing page. Please share! www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_...qualtrics.manchester.ac.ukQualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience ManagementThe most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today. 034
Reposted by Steve JonesManchester Institute of Education (MIE) @educationuom.bsky.social · 03/07/2025MIE’s Professor of Higher Education @profstevenjones.bsky.social addressing @manchester.ac.uk’s annual Teaching and Learning Conference - great keynote questioning what excellence looks like in teaching in HE. Thanks too to the brilliant student panel! 052
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 03/07/2025I'm not sure that public universities taking out "precautionary injunctions against Persons Unknown not yet on its land" is the win that this piece implies. #UKHE www.shma.co.uk/our-thoughts...shma.co.ukCardiff University secures landmark injunction to protect campus from unlawful encampmentsCardiff University secures a landmark injunction against Persons Unknown to prevent unlawful encampments, we share key guidance for landowners and institutions. 121
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 18/06/2025Amazing venue (Niamos, in Hulme, Manchester) for this week’s ICMS conference. Looking forward to speaking about university governance as part of the opening #ukhe panel. 040
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 13/06/2025Remarkable claim: most of the stress endured by academic staff following a major cuts programme is personal, not work-related. nation.cymru/news/most-st... #UKHE, #AcademicSkynation.cymruMost stress felt by academics after huge job cuts proposal was personal and not work-related, says Cardiff University Vice ChancellorMartin Shipton Cardiff University’s embattled Vice Chancellor Wendy Larner has told a Senedd committee that most of the stress endured by the university’s academic staff since the announcement of a ma... 051
Reposted by Steve JonesSchool of Environment, Education, and Development @uomseed.bsky.social · 02/06/2025Professor Steve Jones makes the case for a new ethical code to empower university governors to stand up for students, staff and the public value of HE. Draft Code: cdbu.org.uk/cdbu-code-of... Consultation: www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_... @profstevenjones.bsky.social #MIEwonkhe.comA code of ethical university governance is overdueSteven Jones makes the case for a new ethical code to empower university governors to stand up for students, staff and the public value of higher education 022
Reposted by Steve JonesCouncil for the Defence of British Universities @cdbu.bsky.social · 28/05/2025We are very pleased to publish our Code of Ethical University Governance today, written on behalf of CDBU by Professor Steve Jones. cdbu.org.uk/cdbu-code-of...cdbu.org.ukCDBU Code of Ethical University Governance | CDBUSummary The CDBU Code of Ethical University Governance is underpinned by the principle that governing bodies have a substantive part to play in affirming higher education as a prized public asset. Th... 253
Reposted by Steve JonesWonkhe @wonkhe.bsky.social · 28/05/2025NEW on Wonkhe: Steven Jones makes the case for a new ethical code to empower university governors to stand up for students, staff and the public value of higher education buff.ly/hR1dEeI 064
Reposted by Steve JonesTimes Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 28/05/2025University governing bodies should keep an eye on the collective needs of all institutions instead of just prioritising individual success if they want to improve the financial health of the sector, says @cdbu.bsky.social #AcademicSky #EduSkytimeshighereducation.comGoverning bodies ‘too focused on competition, not sector health’Emergence of governors from private sector means oversight bodies have ‘lost touch with university community’, according to new draft code of conduct 083
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 28/05/2025Thanks for the support, @unabridgedopinions.com, and thanks for putting it so eloquently with your "community not institution" framing! 110
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 28/05/2025The CDBU Code of Ethical University Governance is currently in draft form. We have a (short) consultation survey open until Thursday 31 July, and welcome all feedback. shorturl.at/y56nwshorturl.atQualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience ManagementThe most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today. 043
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 28/05/2025Please take a look at the just-published Code of Ethical University Governance. The code is intended to help current and future governors undertake their role in more informed ways, bringing robust & fair 'challenge' to institutional managers when needed. cdbu.org.uk/cdbu-code-of... #HigherEd #UKHEcdbu.org.ukCDBU Code of Ethical University Governance | CDBUSummary The CDBU Code of Ethical University Governance is underpinned by the principle that governing bodies have a substantive part to play in affirming higher education as a prized public asset. Th... 2114
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 27/05/2025Thank you so much @qmucu.bsky.social (and great to meet you in person last week!). 010
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 27/05/2025Measured and informed analysis by GR Evans for @srhe.bsky.social, setting out what's happening at Harvard and offering some reassurance that it's less likely to happen in #UKHE. srheblog.com/2025/05/27/t...srheblog.comThe Harvard experience: could it happen here?by GR Evans On 1 May 2025 The Guardian headline read: ‘Trump administration exploits landmark civil rights act to fight universities’ diversity initiatives‘. What prevents a British King or Prime M… 030
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 20/05/2025Looking forward to speaking at this critical #ukhe event this afternoon. Thanks to you and your colleagues for organising, @ntaylor.bsky.social. 032
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 28/04/2025Excellent new piece by my @educationuom.bsky.social colleague, Zhuo Min Huang. advance-he.ac.uk/news-and-vie...advance-he.ac.ukAren't all students 'International'? Unlearning labels in HE | Advance HESenior Lecturer in Intercultural Education at The University of Manchester, Zhuomin Huang, reimagines an inclusive HE environment beyond the dichotomy of ‘home’ and ‘international’ students. 057
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 23/04/2025New and important piece by my @educationuom.bsky.social colleague @jlmittelmeier.bsky.social, rightly noting that research with international students too often prefers to depoliticize its subject. researchintlstudents.com/2025/04/22/w...researchintlstudents.comWhere is the field’s voice against the erosion of international students’ civil liberties?Written by Jenna Mittelmeier (University of Manchester) The current situation (in brief) While the oppressive treatment of international students in various visa regimes is certainly not new, we ar… 163
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 18/04/2025Lots to agree with in this piece, imo: "It has become abundantly clear that Trump 2.0 is using a moral panic about 'woke' and pro-Palestinian protests as pretexts to subjugate institutions posing threats to aspiring autocrats". www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comHarvard shows resistance is possible. But universities must join forces | Jan-Werner MüllerFar too many academics are repeating propaganda about a ‘free speech crisis’. It’s time for a shared strategy 014
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 14/04/2025"University isn't for everyone" is such a powerful 'common-sense' discourse. Everyone's first instinct is to agree: why force young people into an academic route that doesn't suit them? The problem is, it's always someone else's children that the speaker has in mind, never their own. 592
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 11/04/2025"Since students make up 40% of total “immigrant” numbers, why not remove from the statistics all except those who eventually stay?" www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comTrump is pushing students towards Britain – ministers, don’t let your immigration obsession stand in the way | Polly ToynbeeBeleaguered UK universities have a golden opportunity. If the government passes it up, it risks billions in revenue, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee 042
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 11/04/2025New OfS survey of students about the 2023 marking and assessment boycott. Only 36% satisfied with how their uni handled the MAB (vs 54% satisfaction with tutors and lecturers). Missed opportunity to ask students if they understood/supported the action. www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications...officeforstudents.org.ukMarking and assessment boycotts: Student insight report - Office for StudentsThis student insight report presents what we know, from engagement with students and other sources, about the impact of a marking and assessment boycott carried out by university and college teaching ... 042
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 01/04/2025New co-authored blog offering practical advice to teachers ahead of next year's changes to the #UCAS personal statement. There's a link to the #UKHE academic research that underpins the arguments made. #HigherEd #AcademicSky www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/04/01/t...hepi.ac.ukTeachers need support to understand what’s needed in the UCAS personal statement - HEPITeachers and admissions staff often disagree on UCAS personal statements, highlighting the need for clearer, transparent university guidance. 042
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 26/03/2025"The challenges that science is facing today go much wider than any individual" is a poor excuse. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...theguardian.comRoyal Society decides not to take disciplinary action against Elon MuskExclusive: Fellows argue Musk has violated code of conduct but council believes investigation ‘could do more harm than good’ 020
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 20/03/2025Sign up here for "The Implications of Polycrisis for Higher Education," an online event co-organized by the CHES@UCL and CHET@Bristol. Panellists are Sharon Stein, Basma Hajir and me; the discussant is Richard Hall. #HigherEd, #UKHE, #AcademicSky www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-implic...eventbrite.co.ukThe implications of polycrisis for higher educationThis event is part of the #HigherEdSeminarSeries 1126
Steve Jones @profstevenjones.bsky.social · 10/03/2025Really looking forward to speaking at this event on May 20th. Many thanks to @claudinegrisard.bsky.social and colleagues for organising. 094
