The Society is continuing to monitor and respond to developments in policy that relate to geographical research and teaching in higher education, particularly in relation to funding, in consultation with the geographical community.
Making the case for geography
Geographical work has significant impact: it generates economic benefit, influences government policy and delivery, and improves our overall quality of life. The Society has published a series of case studies, demonstrating geographical research having a significant impact on policy areas including flood defence, the census, road safety, and regeneration. The latest four (case studies 9-12) focus on work which has had significant focus on informing public audiences.
Developments in higher education
- Higher Education White Paper
The Government (Department of Business and Innovation) White Paper on Higher Education ("Students at the Heart of the System") was published on 28 June 2011(PDF), alongside a consultation to which ythe Society has responded (details will appear here soon).
The House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) committee have also undertaken an inquiry into Government reform of higher education to which the Society responded, focusing particularly on our role providing careers advice for students. The committee have published their report of conclusions (10 November 2011), in which they reference this work by the Society (line 175).
Research Excellence Framework (REF)
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) will assess the quality of research in UK higher education institutions (HEIs) in 2014.
On 14 July 2011 HEFCE published its "Assessment framework and guidance on submissions" which sets out the general framework for assessment in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) and provides guidance to UK higher education institutions about making submissions to the 2014 REF.
On 30 January 2012 the final criteria and working methods that the Research Excellence Framework (REF) panels will use when assessing research were published. This includes guidance on procedures, the data that will be required, and the criteria and definitions that will apply.
The deadline for submissions is 29 November 2013. The full timetable for the REF process can be found here.
As part of the development of the REF, the chair of the Geography, Environment Studies and Archaeology sub-committee (PDF) has been Society Fellow Professor Keith Richards of the University of Cambridge.
- HEFCE funding for teaching and research
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has announced funding allocations for funding Higher Education for 2012-13 from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) (25 January 2012), with HEFCE's funding decisions announced on 01 February 2012. Individual grants to universities and colleges will be announced on 22 March 2012. (details for 2011-12 were announced 17 March 2011).
You can read about the Society's thoughts on funding the teaching of geography in higher education in our input to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) (submitted February 2011)
The Society continues to make the case to the Higher Education Funding Council for England to help the teaching of geography at University. This is to recognise the requirements of its laboratory, fieldwork and computer-based teaching, key training integral to making geography graduates in demand by employers.
Last updated 03.02.12
Monitoring of research and higher education policy announcements
The Society continues to monitor policy announcements and Parliamentary activity relating to research and higher education with links provided below: