This article replies to the responses to my article on "Sex and the Census: Why surveys should not conflate sex and gender identity". Fugard conflates sex itself with the characteristics associated with sex, such as finger length ratios, leading to the erroneous implication that binary sex is not a useful explanatory variable. Hines…

Are there consequences for academic development arising from the move to student-driven funding in the Australian higher education sector from 2012? In a move that has similarities to the UK, Australian government-supported student university funding will, from 2012, attach to students who can select a programme at the university of their choice…

Reviews of the state of biology fieldwork in UK schools and universities at the beginning of the twenty-first century (Barker, Slingsby, and Tilling 2002; Smith 2004) were not entirely pessimistic; rather they suggested ways forward that might lead to an increase in fieldwork. Whether their hopes have been realised has, perhaps, been revealed by…

In England there is a national survey of all students just before they graduate from bachelor's programmes called the National Student Survey (NSS). This produces a very influential ranking of all universities and colleges in England in terms of how the education they provide is perceived by their students. Top of this ranking every year is the…

One in three undergraduate students enter university for the first-time when they are over 21--not that one would notice given the obsession of both media and politicians with younger students progressing to university straight from school or college at 18 or 19. This focus on younger students has been put into even sharper relief in the debate…

Geographical information systems (GIS) are in tune with the current ethos of higher education because of their perceived vocational value. However, it is particularly difficult to teach GIS vocationally. This paper critiques the claim of vocationalism. The authors use an innovative method of evaluating a module that enlists its alumni to reflect…

This essay discusses the design of the quantitative component of the "Young People's Attitudes to Religious Diversity" project, conceived by Professor Robert Jackson within the Warwick Religions and Education Research Unit, and presents some preliminary findings from the data. The quantitative component followed and built on the…

Whilst the leadership and management of Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) have become a subject for increased research and discussion, it is a concern that most of the sector has made little progress in ensuring its ability to recruit and develop the next generation of senior managers and leaders. A survey among the Directors of Human Resources…

In relation to quality, evaluation is often used synonymously with quality assurance and monitoring processes (Ehlers et al, 2004). However, evaluation has other purposes, such as for development and knowledge (Chelimsky & Shadish, 1997). In this paper, I present a view of evaluation as an instrument of quality enhancement rather than quality…

In Italian secondary schools, it is not literature that is studied but the history of literature; it is not philosophy that is studied but the history of philosophy. Similarly, in higher education, history students even have to take an exam in the history of historiography. This is to say that in Italy, history plays a key cultural role. That is…

The paper reflects on the use by the UK central government of statistical evidence in educational policy matters. Particular attention is given to school league tables. The paper is generally critical of government attitudes, but suggests that progress towards rational decision-making does occur. (Contains 5 notes.)

The paper analyzes trends in the first destinations of British university graduates since 1961-62. There has been a decline in the proportion of graduates entering education, research, and teacher training and a rise in numbers entering commerce. Industry and public service have experienced considerable fluctuation in attracting new graduates.…

Discussion of library cooperation focuses on a survey that investigated cooperation among university libraries in Ghana. Library cooperation in the United Kingdom, United States, and Nigeria is described; areas of cooperation in Ghana are discussed, including interlibrary loans, cataloging, and acquisitions; and recommendations for library…

Reviews recent attempts to survey and coordinate United Kingdom library and information resources to obtain more overseas contracts for the supply of library and information skills and services. A pilot group targeting European opportunities is described, and future directions are discussed. (Contains five references.) (LRW)

Reports results of a survey conducted by the British Library to identify distance education packages relating to library and information science (LIS) education in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Resistance to distance education in LIS is discussed and attitudes toward distance education are…