Governance | Leadership | Research
A weekly brief for higher education leaders and researchers examining governance, leadership and research in practice
Weekly newsletter | Published on LinkedIn
Do rankings measure universities… or shape them?
University rankings are usually presented as tools that measure institutional performance. But the indicators used in rankings do more than evaluate universities, they influence how universities behave. From hiring decisions to research priorities and international partnerships, ranking metrics can quietly shape institutional choices. This edition ...
When UK Universities Arrive in India, Should They Compete, or Collaborate?
Several UK universities are exploring the establishment of campuses in India, with some already at an advanced stage of planning. As these plans materialise, India could soon host one of the largest clusters of UK foreign branch campuses anywhere in the world. ...
Foreign Branch Campuses: Expanding a University… and Building Another One
Foreign Branch Campuses are often described as straightforward international expansion. In reality, they frequently resemble something closer to building a new university. This edition explores why the early years of a branch campus can feel more like a start-up than an extension of an established ...
Universities say they want bold leaders. So why do they reward caution?
Higher education talks a lot about bold leadership. Transformation. Agility. Innovation. But when real change creates discomfort, many institutions still default to caution. This edition asks a simple question: do universities really want bold leaders, or just the language of boldness? ...
The Fragility of Research Evaluation Data
This issue examines the fragility of research evaluation data. Dashboards, rankings and citation counts convey precision. Yet the data beneath them are shaped by algorithmic matching, affiliation ambiguity and database design choices. This issue explores how small imperfections can scale into strategic consequences, for both ...
When Metrics Drive Behaviour
This second issue explores how performance metrics shape behaviour inside universities. Metrics are essential for accountability and oversight. Yet over time, they influence institutional priorities and individual career decisions in subtle but powerful ways. This issue examines the feedback loop between governance design and scholarly ...