The Politicisation of Higher Education

The House of Commons, Westminster

5th December 2011 - 1.00-5.00pm

What's the future for the finest collection of universities in the world? How did we get to a stage where so many of them are now unsure of even their short-term future? Is higher education in England and Wales heading for meltdown?  Or is there a more positive alternative to the government's policies?

This conference will have two 90 minute sessions in a 'Question Time' format:

• Session 1: 'The Changing Nature of Higher Education'
• Session 2: 'Is There Really No Alternative?'

Our specially invited panellists, including leading politicians, journalists and academics, will speak briefly before questions from the floor. Speakers include:

Adrian Bailey MP
Laurie Penny, New Statesman
Thom Brooks, Newcastle University
Natalie Fenton, HE White Paper Critic; Open Democracy
Des Freedman, Manifesto For Resistance
Maeve McKeown, University College London
Richard Scullion, author: Marketisation of Higher Education
John Holmwood, Campaign for Public University

The conference is hosted by the Media and Politics Group, a Political Studies Association-funded specialist group. Attendance is free but registration is needed. Please register at:

[email protected]