The Higher Education Academy (HEA) has agreed to merge with the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) and the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (LFHE). This follows the recommendations of the Bell review that there be one agency for learning and teaching, equality and diversity, and leadership and governance in higher education. Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, Chair of the HEA Board and Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Canterbury Christ Church University, said,
“The [HEA] Board fully supports the merger of the three agencies which we believe will be stronger together, offering a single channel to focus on teaching and learning, equality and diversity, and leadership and governance. We are pleased that HEA Fellowships and the HEA post-nominals will be retained, given that they are widely known both in the UK and internationally.”
That will be a relief to many, especially post-nominals. The new agency has no name at present, so here's festive competition (to fit with the HEA ethos, there are no prizes): Name the new agency. Answers on a postcard to Alison Johns, CEO of the LFHE.
My contributions, always seeking after a good acronym, are:
Student Equality and Leadership Foundation for Higher Education Academic Life – SELF HEAL
Student Equality and Leadership Foundation for Higher Academic Research and Management – SELF HARM
On balance, I think the second is more appropriate.
Happy Christmas!
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