The Access Podcast

13. The Cost of Living Crisis and Its Impact on University Students

In this episode of the Access Podcast, I discuss the impact of the cost of living crisis on university students with Myles Hanlon, former Policy Adviser at UUK and now Senior Policy Analyst at AdvanceHE. Leave us your comments or tag us on Twitter @theaccesspod

12. Reforming the Personal Statement . In conversation with Tom Fryer

UCAS is currently seeking feedback on its proposal to reform the Personal Statement. The proposal is to reform the free-text personal statement into a series of questions. The rationale is that the current format benefits students with higher level of support and family experience of higher education. A survey of applicants also found that 83% of students find the process stressful.   In the 12th episode of the Access Podcast, I speak to Tom Fryer, lead author of the HEPI Debate Paper Reforming the UCAS personal statement: Making the case for a series of short questions about UCAS proposals and his research ion this area.

11. What Is The Question? A Conversation With Julian Crockford

Julian Crockford believes that this could be a pivotal moment when we all get our theory heads on, unpack our interventions and gain an even deeper understanding about how they work. Julian is very positive about the role of intervention strategies in further developing our understanding about practice and the young people we work with. If we have enough time, we could ask more nuance questions about how we make a difference. Alternatively, we may only be able to do what we can to meet the deadlines.

10. Regulating Equality of Opportunity in English HE

In episode 10 of the Access Podcast, we discuss the Office for Students Consultation on regulating equality of Opportunity on English HE with Wendy Fowle and Gino Graziano, both convenors of the FACE APP Special Interest group. Our conversation followed the consultation’s questions and includes reflections on the views of the range of HEIs that are part of the SIG. We think you will find it both instructive and confirming. But, as always, do let us know your comments.

9. What does Opportunity for All mean? A conversation with Diane Reay

In this episode, we speak to Diane Reay about the Opportunity for All White paper, which was released in March 2022. Since then, much has changed. We have had two new Prime Ministers and several Education Secretaries. The future of the White Paper is yet unknown, but this was a good opportunity to discuss academisation and the impact of educational funding. It was also great to talk about the importance of processes, critical thinking and diversity in education with Diane. Could this be one of the areas that University-Schools partnerships could have the biggest impact? Her passion and plain speaking are second to none. If you haven’t read Miseducation, then now is the time.