PolicyWISE hosts expert panel discussion on comparative higher education policy & influence

PolicyWISE brought together an expert panel to explore “Influencing Government Policy across the UK and Ireland” at the Festival of Higher Education. The festival, hosted by Wonkhe and the University of London, was attended by hundreds of higher education leaders, opinion-formers, and wonks of all types to discuss the biggest issues facing universities.

Chaired by PolicyWISE Director, Dewi Knight, the panel of Prof Wendy Alexander (University of Dundee), Megan Fearon (The OU in Ireland) and Alistair Jarvis (University of London) contrasted and compared the relationships between government and universities, academia and policy, and civil servants and researchers across the nations of Britain and Ireland.

Speaking after the event, Dewi said:

“As a panel it was great to be able to share our experiences of government, policymaking and university public affairs in such an open and constructive way.

“PolicyWISE emphasises knowledge exchange and comparative analysis from across the UK and Ireland, and the session gave the audience an opportunity to question and learn from a panel that has designed and delivered policy, but also sought to influence it from academia, across these islands. A huge thank you to everyone who attended, and to the panel for their insights.”

A full report on the session is available at Wonkhe.