Innovating in Crisis

Report John Boddy

FACE and the Future of Higher Education

John Boddy

FACE Associates Lead, Council Member and Registrar

Head of Fashion & Textiles | Falmouth University

As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, it's clear that our sector is in a state of significant flux. Due to inflation, the fixed student fee of £9,250 is now effectively worth less than £6,000 to institutions, and declining student numbers are pushing many universities toward a financial cliff edge.

Currently, 67 higher education providers have implemented restructuring plans in an effort to downsize and brace for the challenging years ahead.

As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, it's clear that our sector is in a state of significant flux.

FACE, as an organisation of change, is uniquely positioned to leverage its influence during this period of transition. As our universities move beyond survival mode, there will be a need to rebuild/merge departments, form new teams, and revalidate courses with innovative content that appeals to a broader, global audience.

The unique FACE Race Handbook is be an essential tool in creating authentic, decolonised course content. FACE members and associates are poised to play a crucial role, both within their own institutions and as external consultants driving change nationwide.

The unique FACE Race Handbook will be an essential tool in creating authentic, decolonised course content.

To bring the above goals to reality, we need to consider the following:

What does a contemporary (subject specific) curriculum really look like?

How can we as individuals influence pedagogical change within our own institutions?

How can we form curriculum co-creation teams within our departments?

Who are the key changemakers in our team, department, or institution?

As a FACE Council member I also suggest the following reflection for us at FACE.

How can we create an influential FACE sub-group of UK-wide heads of departments?

What are the barriers to recruiting more FACE members and associates?

How can we fund a nationwide higher education FACE race equality training programme?

How can we utilise sector-wide change to drive institutional race equality initiatives?