Updates from UAL this month

• This month the Policy Team launched the Arts SU Cost of Living survey. As of this briefing’s publication, the survey has attracted a phenomenal response; thank you to everyone who has completed the survey so far! A particular shout out to Megan and the Communities Team at Arts Students' Union – we saw a large spike in responses after it was sent out to societies and clubs members. The survey will close on Friday 4th November, and can be filled out here.
• UAL’s Academic Quality and Standards Committee (AQSC) met this month, the first of the UAL academic committees to meet this year, and it was attended by Minna (CSM Officer) and Kim (CCW Officer). Some of the agenda items included a discussion around UAL’s upcoming Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) submission, the results UAL received for the National Student Survey (NSS), and UAL’s Accountability Framework. 
• Speaking of TEF, the Policy Team have been working with the Sabbatical Officers to plan our independent student submission to the TEF review of UAL. This is an independent report through which we submit evidence assessing UAL’s performance on student experience and student outcomes. The Senior Policy & Research Officer will be leading a TEF workshop day in late November with the officers to determine the contents of our submission; it will include a presentation by Michelle Howe, UAL’s Assistant Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), who is leading on TEF from the university's side. If you would like to know more about TEF, please get in touch.
• UAL have published their analysis of the turn-around time for the marking of assessments for the 2020/21 Academic year. UAL policy is that feedback should be returned to the student within 3 weeks (15 working days), or a 4-week (20 working days) maximum, and within 6 weeks for dissertations. 78% of assessments of UAL meet the minimum turn-around threshold, an increase of 7% compared on the previous year. 

HE news

• Since the last Policy Digest, yet another Education Secretary has been appointed. Kit Malthouse, we hardly knew thee! A close ally of Rishi Sunak, Gillian Keegan, has been appointed as the latest Education Secretary, the fifth Education Secretary in four months. Keegan left school at 16 to pursue an apprenticeship in the car industry (before studying for an Business degree and a Masters later in life), and has spoken about the importance of employer-led education. Given many UAL courses are industry-focused and are placements-led, this may be a positive shift in tone for some of our students. Keegan is also seen as less keen on waging the ‘culture wars’ than previous Education Secretaries from the right-wing of the Tory Party; Keegan has spoke about her support for trans rights, for example. Given the instability in politics of late, it remains to be seen how long she will remain in post. You can read a profile of Keegan here.
• University and College Union (UCU), the trade union for many university lecturers, librarians, and admin staff, won a mandate for a national strike. This is the first time a ballot by any education union has passed the legal threshold of 50% turnout across the country - enabling it to call a national strike - rather than in individual universities. The trade union balloted members over two separate issues: pay and conditions, and pensions. Both ballots were passed by a historically high margin. Staff were offered just a 3% pay rise this year, and many UCU members are kept on temporary contracts. The dates of the strikes are yet to be set, but it is rumoured they could take place before Christmas. You can read UCU’s press release here.

Arts / Creative Industries News 

• Arts Council England (ACE) have announced a new date for when they shall release this year’s round of funding, after the initial deadline was missed. The delay has produced concern in the cultural sector, as fears rise amid complete silence from ACE and the government. Some have suggested that as cuts and austerity re-enter the political discussion, the government are considering making further cuts to the arts. ACE have already committed to shifting funding away from London, however the running costs of many London venues are considerably higher than in other parts of the country. The new announcement shall be made on November 4^th.
• The Guardian have produced a chilling report on how the cost of living crisis is hitting arts and creative venues. The Baltic Art Gallery in Gateshead are looking at developing their own energy source, while The Arts Council of Wales say many independent venues face closure after the cost of putting on productions rose by up to 40% compared to a year ago. This is the job market that many of our graduates seeking employment in the arts will be emerging into. You can enjoy the cheery read here.

Monthly reading list 

• The Guardian: Universities in England and Wales double or triple student hardship funds
• Nature: Imperialism’s long shadow: the UK universities grappling with a colonial past
• WonkHE: Empowering parents on education
• Morning Star: Workers will not be shock absorbers for a failed neoliberal model in education