Higher Education

The Council for the Defence of British Universities released its 2024 research report called “University Governance: Views from the Inside,” highlighting the vital role of governing bodies, the privilege felt by board and committee members, but also the challenges that they face.  The report found that some governance processes were too complicated, there were examples of undemocratic decision-making, hierarchies developed within many committees and there was often a lack of transparency. These are all impediments to good governance in higher education, which can lead to suboptimal outcomes for the university or college and its development.  This article explores what good...

Meetings are an integral part of every work sector, from the corporate world to charities, local government to education. In fact, iBabs’ recent survey on meeting practices found that a fifth of respondents (22%) spent more than half their working week in meetings. Of course, the longer you sit in meetings, the less time you have to implement the decisions you make and to carry out your other tasks.  In the academic world, faculty members balance their student-facing roles with research and, often, commitments to the various committees that drive governance within the university or college. These various obligations make...

Higher education establishments need a robust system of governance to ensure the smooth running of the organisation, now and into the future. Within this structure, you might find a Council, Senate and executive board, each with their own committees and sub-groups. With each committee charged with overseeing and advising on key areas of the university or college’s operations and strategy, it is essential that meetings are efficient and effective. You need to create the most fertile environment for a productive session that results in decisions and actions that make a tangible positive difference to the place of learning.  Behind every...