As headlines warn of university closures and staff cuts, Professor Huw Morris offers a deeper look at the forces reshaping UK higher education. In conversation with Dr Elin Arfon, he explains why some institutions are struggling more than others, and what role government, regulation, and research can play in building resilience. They also explore the growing shift toward tertiary education and skills development, and what this means for future students.

Useful links and resources to follow.

Image: Alarichall / Wikimedia Commons [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:University_of_Leeds_strike_rally_Parkinson_Building_2020_02_26_with_students.jpg]

Can UK universities survive and thrive? | Research for the Real World

In this episode, Louise Stoll tells us her story of 'improve-isation'.

Louise tells Mark and Elaine about her career to date.

She talks about the importance of building capacity for learning and supporting pupils to thrive in an uncertain future.

"You need people to enable you to take risks, to say it's not going to be perfect the first time.
It really is important for leaders at all levels to encourage people to try things out and to be there to support and to learn."

Full show notes and transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/jul/professional-learning-its-not-just-neck-staffroom-s05e06

Professional learning – it's not just from the neck up! | The Staffroom

In this episode, Dr Benjamin Abrams speaks with Hend Aly and Dr Heather Rolfe about their research into public attitudes and how these views shape migration policy and the future of higher education. They explore surprising findings from their report, the role of media narratives, and the strategic challenges facing UK universities.

With global competition for talent heating up, this conversation dives into what's at stake for the UK’s academic and economic future.

Full show notes and links to research to follow.

Britain's got (international student) talent - but what do they really think of them? | Research for the Real World

What does supporting teacher wellbeing look like? And how can school leaders create a culture of wellbeing?

Samantha O'Sullivan's research finds that teacher wellbeing is found in authentic recognition of their work, appropriate CPD, time to do the job well, good colleague relationships, and autonomy to make decisions for themselves.

In other words, all things that leaders can influence for the better.

"Good leadership is what's supporting wellbeing... The core, the centre of it, is a culture of good strong leadership."

Full show notes and transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/jul/wellbeing-dont-give-me-things-pretty-my-life-staffroom-s05e05

Wellbeing? Don't give me things to pretty up my life | The Staffroom

Professor Gill Wyness shares her expertise on the intricacies of university funding, the student finance system, and the ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access and attainment. Discover why the current funding model is under strain, how it impacts students from all backgrounds, and what urgent reforms are needed to secure the future of this vital sector. We also hear about the role higher education plays in fostering economic growth and social mobility.

Full show notes and links: http://uclioe.info/4nohPrg



Navigating the economics of UK higher education | Research for the Real World

Professor Eileen Kennedy shares her experiences regarding the ethical dilemmas encountered in the co-design context, where research participants are actively involved.

What unforeseen ethical challenges might surface as the research progresses?

Could there be situations where obtaining participant consent is not enough? How should one proceed in such cases?

In this podcast episode, Eileen and Hakan aim to explore these questions together.

Full show notes: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/jun/beyond-consent-ethical-dilemmas-co-design-research-research-ethics-s01e04

Beyond consent: Ethical dilemmas in co-design research | Research Ethics

We explore the growing financial pressures on UK universities and what they mean for the future of higher education. From frozen tuition fees to the reliance on international students, the system is reaching a tipping point. But alongside the challenges, we highlight the research-driven solutions already emerging. Through expert insights and real-world stories, we uncover how universities are adapting and what sustainability could truly look like.

Guests:

 * Professor Gill Wyness
 * Hend Aly and Heather Rolfe
 * Professor Huw Morris

Preview: Is higher education's sustainability at risk? | Research for the Real World

Dr Michelle Cannon joins Dr Hakan Ergül to explore the ethical dilemmas that arise when using digital technologies for creative work in the classroom.

How do we strike a balance between guiding students in their storytelling while preserving their agency? What strategies can researchers employ to navigate the complexities of confidentiality, privacy, and consent in digital production?

In this episode, they discuss how digital tools can empower students, fostering creativity and amplifying their voices without compromising their autonomy.

Full show notes and transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/jun/embracing-chaos-creativity-agency-and-ethics-digital-storytelling-research-ethics-s01e03

Embracing chaos: Creativity, agency and ethics in digital storytelling | Research Ethics

Evelyn Forde shares her lived experience, from not feeling she mattered in school to becoming headteacher of the year.

Evelyn tells Mark and Elaine about finding her way back into education, after feeling like she didn't belong and was disillusioned with school.

She talks about the importance of making both children and adults feel like they matter – which is shaped by one's actions, behaviour and attitudes.

Cultivating this sense of belonging is integral to Evelyn's practice as an educator and a leader.

"It's about nurturing leadership without bias, being yourself and just being nice."

Full show notes and transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/jun/making-sure-everyone-matters-evelyn-forde-tells-herstory-staffroom-s05e04

Making sure everyone matters: Evelyn Forde tells 'herstory' | The Staffroom

Dr Sara Young reflects on her experiences collaborating with children in the context of migration.

How feasible is it to uphold ethical principles amid the uncertainties of the field?

Taking the participants' vulnerability into account, what ethical considerations should be made both before and during fieldwork to ensure that children are actively included as co-researchers?

Sara shares her valuable suggestions and insights on ethics, in conversation with Dr Hakan Ergül.

Full show notes: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/may/empowering-agency-collaborating-children-context-migration-research-ethics-s01e02

Empowering agency: Collaborating with children in the context of migration | Research Ethics

The official podcast featuring our academics, alumni, students and other brave thinkers, brought to you by IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society. We're the world's leading centre for education and social science research, courses and teaching, and a faculty of University College London (UCL). Powered by UCL Minds - bringing together UCL’s knowledge, insights, and ideas through events, activities, and digital content open to everyone. More from IOE: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe

IOE Digital Content

Shows