Outstanding blog today from @alexusherhesa.bsky.social - really wish I had stuck with 90210 instead of giving up when I did. Time to revisit I fear... higheredstrategy.com/higher-educa...

New blog - some thoughts on Eating People is Wrong, the first novel by the late author and academic, Malcolm Bradbury. Along with Lucky Jim it set the standard for future British campus novels. And it has some entertaining observations about HE which still feel relevant.

Latest blog - on taking a slightly longer view... HE institutions need to look to the long term rather than addressing only the most immediate issues. A reminder of the importance of cathedral thinking in higher education. wonderfulhighered.com/2026/02/13/c...

Very brief review of an entertaining sort of campus caper from Alexander McCall Smith

Thank you @alexusherhesa.bsky.social for flagging this higher ed innovation. Some of us saw it coming of course... www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/l...

Higher education institutions need to look to the long term rather than addressing only the most immediate issues. A reminder of the importance of cathedral thinking in higher education.

I still have my copy of this seminal work

New blog. The effective operation of a Credit Accumulations and Transfer scheme is a key enabler for full implementation of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement. There has been some focus on the need for a functioning CAT system to support LLE but it still feels like we are a long way from this.

According to @insidehighered.com Houston University is asking Faculty to pledge not to “indoctrinate” students. Apparently they won't be punished if they decline to sign the three page memo www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...

Not sure about the tone of this new HE movie. It's perhaps not the most positive representation of staff working in Strategy & Planning either

Very brief review of another extremely well-written, sharp and elegant novel, with a twist, from Andrew Miller

Obvious gap in the market here, @thinkuhi.bsky.social! "A unique and young blend of ten different regions and specialities...", the blurb almost writes itself.

The UK's Tallest University Buildings - Ranked! There are some very tall university buildings around the world. But which are the tallest in the UK? Time for a new league table it seems. wonderfulhighered.com/2026/01/30/t...

Very short review of another excellent offering from Ian McEwan

New ranking, new blog. There are some very tall university buildings around the world. But which are the tallest in the UK? Time for a new league table. Hope you have a head for heights.

The OIA is consulting on draft guidance for handling reports of harassment and sexual misconduct in HE. In this blog we are sharing some suggestions for improving the guidance based on substantial experience of advising on a wide range of challenging cases. www.shma.co.uk/our-thoughts...

Well that was very much the result. Some really impressive performances too, including Ali Ahmed, scoring on his home debut. Looking up #ncfc

Latest blog: Immortal Memories. In a surprisingly topical mood it seemed like time for a bold new international higher education league table. This time it is to mark the global event that was Burns night and is a ranking of HigherEd whiskies. Cheers! wonderfulhighered.com/2026/01/25/i...

Immortal Memories: Latest blog. Time for a bold new international higher education league table. This time it is to mark Burns night and is a ranking of HigherEd whiskies with an impressive showing for a @wonkhe.bsky.social malt. Slàinte! wonderfulhighered.com/2026/01/25/i...

Time for a bold new international higher education league table. This time it is to mark Burns night and is a ranking of HigherEd whiskies.

Very short review of a novel featuring an unusual mother and son relationship played out on a messy road trip

Short review of the final instalment of another very good Robertson Davies trilogy

That’s the spirit! I do like the vagueness of “it appears “

New blog. The award of a degree is the ultimate achievement in higher education. The lasting record of this is, of course, the degree certificate. But who signs these vital pieces of paper? There is some quite surprising variation across the sector. So who signed your certificate?

And with just one mighty leap City were out of the relegation zone at last. And a great way to do it too. #ncfc

I fear the price being asked of #NCFC for Hogh may have just gone up after his two excellent goals against Man City

Latest piece for @thehousemag.bsky.social, on the 1954 British government report estimating that the deaths of women in road traffic accidents had benefited the UK to the tune of just over £1.2m. Yes, benefitted. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

New blog - the Office for Students has launched its new Provider Panel which is intended to ensure it receives more in the way of constructive criticism of its regulatory approach. It’s a positive step but the membership should really be extended beyond VCs.. wonderfulhighered.com/2026/01/19/t...

The Office for Students has launched its new Provider Panel which is intended to ensure it receives more in the way of constructive criticism of its regulatory approach. It’s a positive step but the membership should really be extended beyond Vice-Chancellors. There is more on engagement planned too

Very brief review of another excellent novel from Olga Tokarczuk

I think you might be underselling it a little

Finally! Correct result now in

Come on BBC - don't deny #NCFC what is a much needed win!

Following the announcement that an exciting new theme park is due to open near to Cranfield University it was inevitable that some form of league table would be required. So, here it is – the crucial ranking of universities close to theme parks. wonderfulhighered.com/2025/04/10/u...

Herzog, no thanks. Very brief review of a remarkable but ultimately not very enjoyable novel.

The fate of Nobel prize medals A handy report from Chemistry World a while back on the fate of other Nobel Medals. And the values that some have attracted at auction. (Trump acquiring this one has a bit of a buying a prefect's badge at a car boot sale vibe) www.chemistryworld.com/news/the-fat...

The fate of Nobel prize medals A handy report from Chemistry World a while back on the fate of other Nobel Medals. And the values that some have attracted at auction. (Trump acquiring this one has a bit of a buying a prefect's badge at a car boot sale vibe) www.chemistryworld.com/news/the-fat...

The Spies Who Came in from the Campus Latest blog. On spies. I do like a good spy story & it's even better when they combine in real life with higher education. Indeed there is a long association of spying and universities. And now there are courses on offer wonderfulhighered.com/2026/01/12/t...

The OfS is currently consulting on proposals to change the way it regulates FE colleges in England which are regulated by both the DfE and the OfS. This blog provides some background and suggests some responses to questions. Overall, there are reasons to be cheerful. www.shma.co.uk/our-thoughts...

New blog on spies. Spy stories appeal to many but often combine in real life with higher education too. Indeed there is a long association of spying and universities. And now there are courses on offer to help train the spies of the future. But mainly for desk work it seems.

New blog on spies. Spy stories appeal to many but often combine in real life with higher education too. Indeed there is a long association of spying and universities. And now there are courses on offer to help train the spies of the future. But mainly for desk work it seems.

An outstanding #FACup performance and result from #NCFC - doesn’t get better than that (if only they were the opponents every week)

The magic of the #FACup means that Portsmouth FC and their principal shirts sponsor, the University of Portsmouth, are on the telly and, at time of writing giving a good account of themselves. Football and HigherEd: The Beautiful Games wonderfulhighered.com/2024/10/03/f...

Just happened across this free (yes, free!) birthday edition of THE @timeshighered.bsky.social from 1996. It can with a handy summary of all the big events in HE since 1971. (It wasn't a great Laurie Taylor column though)

Yep

My favourite Chuckle Brothers gag: Barry: It's a lovely church, Vicar. Vicar: It's Norman. Barry: It's a lovely church, Norman.

Perhaps surprisingly, she appears to remain the "world's only 'asparamancer'" despite a track record of predicting quite a few of the same general things every year with vague success. The resurgence of swing though is something which sounds very unlikely... www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...

Another terrific panto at @nottmplayhouse.bsky.social last night. Plenty of new songs and gags as well as some old favourites.

Time for a tribute to all those end of year reviews you get from people who write or publish loads of heavyweight stuff about higher ed week in week out. Yes, unfortunately, here you have a collection of blogs that are definitely not the best of 2025. wonderfulhighered.com/2025/12/24/r...

Courtesy of Goodreads, here is the data on all of the books read this year. Not sure I'll manage this many again in the near future.