Independent HE commission makes call for evidence

Launched by the thinktank in February 2012, the commission, which will run until March 2013, was established to examine the organisation and structure of higher education in England, as well as the extent of government involvement and the role higher education plays in society.

Its first few months have seen public events including a speech from Labour MP Chuka Umunna, the shadow business secretary, and seminars at King’s College London.

Jonathan Clifton, research fellow at the IPPR, said the commission would be more “outward looking” in the next six months.

It has requested submissions of written evidence from higher education managers, academics, organisations and individuals who wish to contribute their research, analysis and policy ideas.

Submissions to the commission should be no longer than 3,000 words long and should arrive between 30 July and 28 September.

The commission is chaired by Nigel Thrift, vice-chancellor of the University of Warwick, with another four institution heads serving on the panel.