Politics, money, policies: rising above these for the public good

This is a side-bar really. Recently, there has been a swathe of thoughtful reflections from within the higher education sector about:

-the financial sustainability of universities;

-regulatory 'capture'; and

-Government policy decision-making regarding fiscal policy and spending, immigration, education, and science & innovation that directly impacts on both financial sustainability and regulation of higher education (in England) in ways that appears antagonistic towards the sector, and which play to the gallery in certain quarters of mainstream media.

Readers familiar with HEPI and other think tanks, Times Higher Education and other media, WonkHE, Universities UK, university mission groups, and more besides will have benefited and been buffeted in equal measure by the perspectives, insights, and preferences for ways forward. It's very clear those in the sector care a great deal about 'the state of affairs', and there are supporting voices from surprisingly few champions and friends outside of the sector.

Some advocacy is for the sector (in England particularly) to be solution-finding and embrace change; some commentary recognises the sector may be at times its own worse enemy; and some place primacy on drivers outside of the sector's apparent control.

Meanwhile, horizon scanning, PESTLEs and strategic risk registers for many providers will be bulging with the sense of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) of the operating environment; and how this bumps up against risk and opportunities arising from a provider's own strategic circumstances and choices.

Global geo-political insecurity, aggression over control of natural resources, natural disasters, pandemics, migration flows, ageing populations, persistent impacts of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, populist politics in ruling parties, and disastrous austerity fiscal policy choices since then all give the playbook for day-to-day life of citizens.

Echoes of all of this can be found in nations other than England, some for just as long if not longer.

None of this is going to go away for the foreseeable future. A UK general election does not appear to offer much hope for higher education in terms of State answers to real issues of financial sustainability, and probably only some moderating of regulatory capture. There are parallels too in central and local government departments facing real-terms spending cuts; throughout the early years and education ecosystem; in health and social care; ... and so on.

It is about money. The amount of it, where (still) higher inflation and higher interest rates will prevent any significant increase in public spending for the time being. And in the distribution of money: how the State crafts 'choices' for who pays for what in order to avoid carrying that risk when money is such an object, and because short and longer-term public policy making is dented and melded by ruling party politics; and how this will likely perpetuate the 'haves' and the 'have nots' across all generations for years to come.

It's times like these when it boils down to staying true to why we resolve each and every day to rock up and do what we do in schools, colleges and universities; or in whatever organisation that is buffeted by this unrelenting range and strength of headwinds. Whatever it might be, for those in education, fuelling the mojo to find that spirit of determination for the public good of what we do because of the wider societal benefits that flow.

Keeping the story-telling alive and rich with examples of how learning and innovation have transformed the success and potential of people, organisations, and communities. Building cross-sectoral partnerships and connections that are inspired by this story-telling and motivated to keep afresh the eyes on the bigger picture and act together on meeting the needs of future generations.

... whilst still making the arguments, demonstrating the truths, influencing the influencers, and so on. Maybe. Wishing everyone all the very best for 2024.