Helen Packer
@helenpacker.bsky.social
Reporter at Times Higher Education 🎓
Reposted by Helen Packer
More than a third of students believe representatives of Reform UK should be banned from speaking at universities, finds @hepi-news.bsky.social, despite the majority agreeing HE institutions should promote free speech www.timeshighereducation.com/news/third-s... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:47 AM
More than a third of students believe representatives of Reform UK should be banned from speaking at universities, finds @hepi-news.bsky.social, despite the majority agreeing HE institutions should promote free speech www.timeshighereducation.com/news/third-s... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Packer
Venezuelan academics are pessimistic that a change in leadership will improve the fortunes of the country’s downtrodden universities after the shock ousting of leader Nicolás Maduro. Helen Packer reports
https://ow.ly/uFQ950XSyfc
https://ow.ly/uFQ950XSyfc
January 7, 2026 at 8:15 AM
Venezuelan academics are pessimistic that a change in leadership will improve the fortunes of the country’s downtrodden universities after the shock ousting of leader Nicolás Maduro. Helen Packer reports
https://ow.ly/uFQ950XSyfc
https://ow.ly/uFQ950XSyfc
Reposted by Helen Packer
Full details from @helenpacker.bsky.social on UK's return to Erasmus+, including funding, participation, and the future of the Turing scheme www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-aims...
UK aims to widen access to Erasmus after agreeing to join in 2027
Confirmed deal to cost UK £570 million in first year, with ministers targeting 100,000 participants including apprentices and adult learners
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Full details from @helenpacker.bsky.social on UK's return to Erasmus+, including funding, participation, and the future of the Turing scheme www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-aims...
Reposted by Helen Packer
UK aims to widen access to Erasmus after agreeing to join in 2027, reports Helen Packer #edusky
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-aims-widen-access-erasmus-after-agreeing-join-2027
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-aims-widen-access-erasmus-after-agreeing-join-2027
UK aims to widen access to Erasmus after agreeing to join in 2027
Confirmed deal to cost UK £570 million in first year, with ministers targeting 100,000 participants including apprentices and adult learners
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:23 AM
UK aims to widen access to Erasmus after agreeing to join in 2027, reports Helen Packer #edusky
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-aims-widen-access-erasmus-after-agreeing-join-2027
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-aims-widen-access-erasmus-after-agreeing-join-2027
Reposted by Helen Packer
Universities urging government to act proportionately as ministers consider changing exemption that allows international students enrolled on MRes courses to bring family members with them www.timeshighereducation.com/news/new-stu... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
New study visa rules expected as Labour looks to close ‘loophole’
Fears that expansion of master’s research courses to circumvent dependants ban may prompt more restrictions
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Universities urging government to act proportionately as ministers consider changing exemption that allows international students enrolled on MRes courses to bring family members with them www.timeshighereducation.com/news/new-stu... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Packer
New @universities-uk.bsky.social president Malcolm Press tells @helenpacker.bsky.social that HEIs need to 'take control of [their] evolution' and offer something in return if they want more support from government www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/we-can...
‘We can’t ask to turn the clock back. The resources just aren’t there’
As he begins his stint as Universities UK president, Malcolm Press tells Helen Packer that the sector’s demands of government need to be realistic about the constrained state of public finances and th...
www.timeshighereducation.com
August 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
New @universities-uk.bsky.social president Malcolm Press tells @helenpacker.bsky.social that HEIs need to 'take control of [their] evolution' and offer something in return if they want more support from government www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/we-can...
Reposted by Helen Packer
More universities could look to private investment to cope with their growing money problems, but it could be too late for non-elite institutions, financial experts have said. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#academicsky #edusky
#academicsky #edusky
Investors keen on takeovers as universities turn to private funds
Co-branded campuses and partial mergers expected to become more common in face of higher borrowing costs
www.timeshighereducation.com
August 4, 2025 at 8:04 AM
More universities could look to private investment to cope with their growing money problems, but it could be too late for non-elite institutions, financial experts have said. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#academicsky #edusky
#academicsky #edusky
Reposted by Helen Packer
Campaigners say they are ready to call English universities out on breaches of a new free speech law coming into force this week, amid concerns institutions are ill-prepared for the changes. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#academicsky #edusky #freespeech
#academicsky #edusky #freespeech
English universities ‘unprepared’ as new free speech rules loom
Institutions review policies ahead of new obligations coming into force but campaigners believe culture change is needed, as they gear up to highlight breaches
www.timeshighereducation.com
July 29, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Campaigners say they are ready to call English universities out on breaches of a new free speech law coming into force this week, amid concerns institutions are ill-prepared for the changes. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#academicsky #edusky #freespeech
#academicsky #edusky #freespeech
Reposted by Helen Packer
Bailing out University of Dundee has established Scottish govt as “banker of last resort”, with policymakers warned they will face another crisis unless they review how HE is funded www.timeshighereducation.com/news/dundee-... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Dundee bailout ‘sets precedent’ as MSPs evade funding reform
Warning more institutions may look to Scottish government for support as ailing university’s problems blamed on mismanagement rather than wider funding pressures
www.timeshighereducation.com
July 11, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Bailing out University of Dundee has established Scottish govt as “banker of last resort”, with policymakers warned they will face another crisis unless they review how HE is funded www.timeshighereducation.com/news/dundee-... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Packer
The moral hazard that this has created is inescapable.
Politicians blinked first, and pumped tens of millions of taxpayers' money into Dundee to keep it afloat.
Great piece by @helenpacker.bsky.social.
Politicians blinked first, and pumped tens of millions of taxpayers' money into Dundee to keep it afloat.
Great piece by @helenpacker.bsky.social.
Bailing out the University of Dundee has established the Scottish government as a “banker of last resort”, with policymakers being warned they will face another crisis unless they review how higher education is funded, reports @helenpacker.bsky.social
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Dundee bailout ‘sets precedent’ as MSPs evade funding reform
Warning more institutions may look to Scottish government for support as ailing university’s problems blamed on mismanagement rather than wider funding pressures
www.timeshighereducation.com
July 11, 2025 at 8:53 AM
The moral hazard that this has created is inescapable.
Politicians blinked first, and pumped tens of millions of taxpayers' money into Dundee to keep it afloat.
Great piece by @helenpacker.bsky.social.
Politicians blinked first, and pumped tens of millions of taxpayers' money into Dundee to keep it afloat.
Great piece by @helenpacker.bsky.social.
Reposted by Helen Packer
Initially dismissed as 'never going to happen', the idea of a levy on international student fees doesn't seem to be going away. Here @helenpacker.bsky.social reports on the potential impact, and what vice-chancellors are trying to do to resist it www.timeshighereducation.com/news/more-jo...
More jobs at risk as universities gear up to fight student levy
Domestic student places and essential courses face axe as plan to tax international tuition fees could prove to be ‘final nail in a coffin’ for some institutions
www.timeshighereducation.com
July 4, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Initially dismissed as 'never going to happen', the idea of a levy on international student fees doesn't seem to be going away. Here @helenpacker.bsky.social reports on the potential impact, and what vice-chancellors are trying to do to resist it www.timeshighereducation.com/news/more-jo...
Reposted by Helen Packer
UK vice-chancellors are planning for smaller increases in student numbers at their universities than they were two years ago as an era of high growth appears to be ending – with a fifth actively looking at mergers. @helenpacker.bsky.social
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
July 8, 2025 at 7:41 AM
UK vice-chancellors are planning for smaller increases in student numbers at their universities than they were two years ago as an era of high growth appears to be ending – with a fifth actively looking at mergers. @helenpacker.bsky.social
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Helen Packer
Will defence research throw a lifeline to cash-strapped UK universities? Or will the resistance from students be too great? @helenpacker.bsky.social reports www.timeshighereducation.com/news/will-de...
Will defence research throw a lifeline to UK universities?
Institutions may be forced to choose between extra research funding and placating students unless narrative around military work changes
www.timeshighereducation.com
July 2, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Will defence research throw a lifeline to cash-strapped UK universities? Or will the resistance from students be too great? @helenpacker.bsky.social reports www.timeshighereducation.com/news/will-de...
Reposted by Helen Packer
CMA is working with universities to support more collaboration and mergers but institutions may need money from the government to make this happen, says @universities-uk.bsky.social report www.timeshighereducation.com/news/competi... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Competition law and costs ‘holding back mergers’, says UUK
Difficult to get new models of collaboration off the ground without ‘transformation funding’, finds efficiencies review
www.timeshighereducation.com
June 2, 2025 at 11:17 AM
CMA is working with universities to support more collaboration and mergers but institutions may need money from the government to make this happen, says @universities-uk.bsky.social report www.timeshighereducation.com/news/competi... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Packer
“Universities in parts of Asia…have been quick to invite international students to their institutions, jumping at the chance to attract the so-called Harvard refugees after the Trump administration attempted to ban the US institution from hosting foreign students,” reports @helenpacker.bsky.social
June 1, 2025 at 5:28 AM
“Universities in parts of Asia…have been quick to invite international students to their institutions, jumping at the chance to attract the so-called Harvard refugees after the Trump administration attempted to ban the US institution from hosting foreign students,” reports @helenpacker.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Packer
Worrying from @universities-uk.bsky.social survey:
- 49% of universities have closed courses
- 19% have reduced investment in research
- 18% have closed departments
- 25% have made compulsory redundancies
Full story from @helenpacker.bsky.social: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/student...
- 49% of universities have closed courses
- 19% have reduced investment in research
- 18% have closed departments
- 25% have made compulsory redundancies
Full story from @helenpacker.bsky.social: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/student...
Student choice at risk as almost half of universities cut courses
Institutions expect to consider more subject closures as financial problems spiral, finds UUK survey
www.timeshighereducation.com
May 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Worrying from @universities-uk.bsky.social survey:
- 49% of universities have closed courses
- 19% have reduced investment in research
- 18% have closed departments
- 25% have made compulsory redundancies
Full story from @helenpacker.bsky.social: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/student...
- 49% of universities have closed courses
- 19% have reduced investment in research
- 18% have closed departments
- 25% have made compulsory redundancies
Full story from @helenpacker.bsky.social: www.timeshighereducation.com/news/student...
Reposted by Helen Packer
Universities might consider merging into school-style “multi-university trusts” in response to growing financial pressures, a legal expert has predicted. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky #highered
#AcademicSky #highered
V-cs mull ‘multi-university trust’ mergers to save costs
Merger model common in other parts of education sector increasingly appealing to universities keen to retain some autonomy
www.timeshighereducation.com
May 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Universities might consider merging into school-style “multi-university trusts” in response to growing financial pressures, a legal expert has predicted. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky #highered
#AcademicSky #highered
Reposted by Helen Packer
Introducing an employer levy to fund English HE would disincentivise companies to hire graduates, the chief executive of Universities UK has warned. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky #EduSky
#AcademicSky #EduSky
Employer-levy funding plan ‘could stop graduates getting hired’
Sector should be wary of asking businesses to pay ‘additional tax’ and focus on tweaking current system instead, says Universities UK chief
www.timeshighereducation.com
April 30, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Introducing an employer levy to fund English HE would disincentivise companies to hire graduates, the chief executive of Universities UK has warned. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky #EduSky
#AcademicSky #EduSky
Reposted by Helen Packer
Universities need government support to improve efficiencies within the cash-strapped sector, the head of a higher education task force has said, calling for the creation of a sector improvement agency and transformation fund. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Efficiency task force eyes government support for ‘faster’ change
University transformation relies on more open relationship with government, says group focused on sector-wide cost reductions
www.timeshighereducation.com
May 1, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Universities need government support to improve efficiencies within the cash-strapped sector, the head of a higher education task force has said, calling for the creation of a sector improvement agency and transformation fund. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Helen Packer
The use of ‘hypocritical’ confidentiality agreements by UCU has been criticised by staff and former staff members, with Unite members set to stage rally outside UCU's own offices today over its ongoing industrial dispute
#AcademicBlueSky #EduSky
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ucu-acc...
#AcademicBlueSky #EduSky
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ucu-acc...
UCU accused of ‘silencing’ staff as internal rows turn ‘toxic’
Use of ‘hypocritical’ confidentiality agreements by UK’s biggest academic union criticised, with increasingly disgruntled staff set to stage rally outside own offices
www.timeshighereducation.com
May 1, 2025 at 11:28 AM
The use of ‘hypocritical’ confidentiality agreements by UCU has been criticised by staff and former staff members, with Unite members set to stage rally outside UCU's own offices today over its ongoing industrial dispute
#AcademicBlueSky #EduSky
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ucu-acc...
#AcademicBlueSky #EduSky
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ucu-acc...
Reposted by Helen Packer
More than £1 billion has been paid out in tuition fee loans for students studying at unregistered franchised providers over the past three years, new government data shows. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Student loans for franchised degrees worth nearly £2 billion
Unregistered providers account for more than half of franchised tuition fee money claimed in past three years, new figures show
www.timeshighereducation.com
April 28, 2025 at 6:13 PM
More than £1 billion has been paid out in tuition fee loans for students studying at unregistered franchised providers over the past three years, new government data shows. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Helen Packer
The UK should continue to aim for growth in overseas student numbers but universities must not rule out reform of the imperfect graduate visa, according to a new report that aims to shape the country’s coming new international education strategy. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Defending status quo graduate visa wrong approach, says Skidmore
UK should aim for growth in student numbers but recognise ‘opportunities to reform’ post-study work rights, finds commission convened by former universities minister
www.timeshighereducation.com
April 16, 2025 at 8:15 AM
The UK should continue to aim for growth in overseas student numbers but universities must not rule out reform of the imperfect graduate visa, according to a new report that aims to shape the country’s coming new international education strategy. @helenpacker.bsky.social reports
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Helen Packer
The University of Sussex has accused the Office for Students of “giving free rein” to “antisemitic, anti-Muslim, homophobic, racist, sexist, and anti-trans speech” as it begins legal action to challenge the regulator’s decision to fine it £585,000, reports @helenpacker.bsky.social
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Sussex says OfS acting beyond powers as it seeks judicial review
University handed record fine over free speech breaches claims ruling gives ‘free rein’ to racists and sexists
www.timeshighereducation.com
April 9, 2025 at 10:17 AM
The University of Sussex has accused the Office for Students of “giving free rein” to “antisemitic, anti-Muslim, homophobic, racist, sexist, and anti-trans speech” as it begins legal action to challenge the regulator’s decision to fine it £585,000, reports @helenpacker.bsky.social
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Helen Packer
Policies on transgender staff and students vanish from university websites after Sussex fine www.timeshighereducation.com/news/trans-p... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Trans policies vanish from university websites after Sussex fine
OfS finding that university failed to uphold its free speech duties prompts others into reviewing policies that some believe were ‘copied and pasted’
www.timeshighereducation.com
April 4, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Policies on transgender staff and students vanish from university websites after Sussex fine www.timeshighereducation.com/news/trans-p... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Packer
Skills England may struggle to “become a respected voice” given the variety of jobs it has been tasked with and “junior” position within govt, warns @tom-richmond.com in @hepi-news.bsky.social report www.timeshighereducation.com/news/skills-... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Skills England faces ‘uphill struggle’ to be heard, says Hepi
Warnings lack of independence could stifle new government body as it attempts to unite sector to tackle skills gaps
www.timeshighereducation.com
March 31, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Skills England may struggle to “become a respected voice” given the variety of jobs it has been tasked with and “junior” position within govt, warns @tom-richmond.com in @hepi-news.bsky.social report www.timeshighereducation.com/news/skills-... via @helenpacker.bsky.social