In this episode of Research Box, Dr Russell Thackeray and Professor Annette Fillery Travis discuss the evolving landscape of Higher Education.

They reflect on the historical context of education before and after Blair's policies, the shift from an elitist to a more democratised system, and the impact of massification on the purpose and quality of higher education.

Topics include the balance between teaching and research, the rise of corporate universities, the financial pressures on institutions, and the erosion of critical thinking standards. They also touch on the role universities play in social mobility, freedom of speech, and the subversive pursuit of knowledge. The episode ends with a call for innovative thinking and new models to address contemporary challenges in the education sector.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:28 Challenges in Higher Education

01:09 Historical Context of Higher Education

06:04 Modern Apprenticeships and Corporate Universities

07:22 Financial Burdens and Social Mobility

09:43 Philosophy of Education and Critical Thinking

15:22 Administrative Changes and Their Impact

25:03 Optimism and Future Directions

37:28 Conclusion and Farewell

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