Can I venture some radical thoughts about universities and the response of the university sector to the coronavirus crisis? We could and should be doing things very differently.
@BristolUniLaw @BristolUni @DrJoGrady @ucu 1/
@BristolUniLaw @BristolUni @DrJoGrady @ucu 1/
Universities face huge uncertainty. They are to close on Friday. They are unlikely to reopen this academic year. Teaching and assessment represent huge immediate challenges. Recruitment, especially overseas recruitment, represents another. 2/
Huge efforts (time and resources) are being devoted to online learning and assessment. If we are asked to, we can and will do what we all can with what we have... but we should not pretend that it will be 'business as usual' (but now online!). 3/
Staff and students will have a range of other concerns. They may be far from home. They may be self-isolating. They may be unwell. They may have responsibilities for others... The Govt predicts that 1 in 5 may be off sick at any time. 4/
I wonder whether it may be best to follow the approach signalled today in relation to schools. In other words, to abandon this year's teaching and assessment, and (with Govt/regulatory body support) enable students to progress and to graduate. 5/
The benefits are essentially two-fold. First, by acting in this way, we would alleviate a huge pressure from staff and students in the midst of what is an unprecedented crisis. That in itself would be a huge plus. But, as Rishi Sunak might say, there's more. 6/
Second, and far more importantly, it would enable universities (staff, students, facilities, expertise) to play a significant role in efforts to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. 7/
There is no end to the things we could be doing: scientific work in labs (including testing), communications work, health sector assistance, deliveries, visits to those isolated, accommodation, liaising with the Govt and local community groups. 8/
This is what Gary Neville announced today. Think of how much more a coordinated effort from the university sector would be able to achieve?
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