Nick argues that the pro-Remain stance of university leaders was a mistake, given there was no consistency with the sector’s approach to Scottish independence. 🏴
Nick says one thing is not in doubt: leaving the EU is bad for British universities, especially perhaps in the short term.
However, in each area of impact – research and staffing, student exchange and student recruitment – the effect of Brexit has been misunderstood…
Research🔍
➡️The UK has been a net beneficiary of 🇪🇺 research funding. But just 3% of research spending in the UK has come from 🇪🇺 programmes.
➡️ Some institutions & disciplines have been particularly reliant on EU funding.
➡️ It is not clear how this money will be replaced.
Staffing 👥
➡️ Around one in eight staff in UK universities are from the EU.
➡️ However, one positive could be regaining the ‘easy flow of clinicians and clinician science from 🇨🇦,🇺🇸,🇦🇺, New Zealand, and 🇿🇦.
Student exchange 👩🎓👨🎓
➡️ The Erasmus programme is an overwhelming force for good…
➡️ However, it has not provided a 1:1 student swap or ‘exchange’ for the UK:
In 2017/18, the UK hosted 31,877 Erasmus students and trainees, but only sent 17,048 to other countries.
On the future 🔮
➡️ Managing the tension between fostering international prestige and links with local communities is key to HE ‘s future
➡️ As is the movement towards universality: Nick has argued for a new 70% target on HE access.
Read Nick’s long read on the future of higher education here 🔻🔻🔻
Reflecting on lessons from elsewhere in Europe on how to achieve regional economic convergence, @thomasforth@ODILeeds@TheDataCity argues for a commitment to invest more in skills, transport, research and development & culture in cities across the UK👇👇
@michaelkenny_ & @TKelsey915 lay out the evidence that 'a top-down plan for place-based intervention, based upon bilateral negotiations with local areas, runs the risk of enforcing the priorities & orthodoxies of the centre'📝
@fiona_costello's research looks at the impact of Brexit on EU nationals in the UK, and how these problems are being resolved by community advice organisations.
Watch this to find out more ⬇⬇
As well as working as an academic, Fiona works with @GyrosOrg to help EU nationals access legal advice and support – allowing her to understand everyday problems facing EU nationals on the frontline.
.@simonjhix: "In the medium term, Brexit is a challenge to the EU. There will be a UK model of exit."
"At some point, the UK model will seem quite attractive, which could be politically very difficult for the EU."
.@HelenHet20: "The EU's reaction to #Brexit was primarily defensive, but there was an opportunity to face the euro-ins and euro-outs question head on."
"Instead, it was seen as a potential long-term threat to the EU's credibility."
.@BorisJohnson has said that no deal with the EU would be a “good outcome” for the UK.
This report highlights what it would mean in terms of trade, fisheries, connectivity, the impact on citizens, Northern Ireland, economics, security, foreign policy, politics and more.
On #trade, the two sides would revert to #WTO rules.
We’re talking tariffs, customs checks, and regulatory checks. In other words, increased hassle, increased time and increased costs for businesses trading with the EU.
. @jillongovt: "No deal now is not the same as last year because the financial settlement, citizens' rights and Northern Ireland were dealt with in the Withdrawal Agreement."