SATISFYING THE GOVERNORS AND CONVINCING THE REGULATORS CONFERENCE
The sector is gradually becoming clearer about its future funding, although a good deal remains uncertain. Just as important is the fact that the long-term prospects are likely to be characterised by higher levels of risk in a very changing environment, and this will challenge us all in terms of how to manage the academic and financial sustainability of our institutions and our activities. We also have new pressures to satisfy our funders and regulators that we are doing this, pressures that the White Paper may well make more explicit. Institutions’ governing bodies will have greater expectations placed upon them, whether by government or by their own engagement with the new financial environment.
At least 30 institutions have been contributing to a UK-wide project on sustainability metrics which was triggered by the recommendations in Sir William Wakeham’s review of research last year. The project team have moved beyond the question of research alone and produced recommendations which aim to deliver a greater level of understanding and accountability for the sustainability of institutions and of their teaching and research. The role of institutional governing bodies will be central in this. The report, which will be published by FSSG, suggests that we may be able to do this without imposing new burdens on institutions. That is certainly the intention, although there will be challenges in implementing this, not least in relation to the themes that might emerge in the White Paper.
Aims
The conference will review the headlines of the Government’s funding decisions and the White Paper on institution’s ability to manage their long term academic and financial sustainability; and the challenges they face in doing this, including the governing body’s role in ensuring institutional sustainability , and the new ‘sustainability metrics’ which should support the sustainability and efficiency and value-for-money agendas.
Objectives