As everything changes, this EEUK Policy blog updates you on the things you need to know and gives you the links to keep you updated as things progress.  You will find more links in our EEUK #EntEdOnline Q&A page so click here to see specific support and guidance for HE & FE, each of the Nation States, quality, assessment and marking as well as the latest advice for trading businesses with links to Government support packages.

REF (Research Excellence Framework): REF was one of the first things to be put on hold to allow staff to focus on new priorities. This means that the submission deadline on 27 November 2020 no longer applies and there is a commitment that any new submission deadline will be issued eight months in advance.

TEF (Teaching Excellence Framework): There will be no new assessments during 2020 and those with TEF awards have had them extended to 2021.  There is currently there is no timescale for a future TEF exercise, but a consultation has been promised in advance.

KEF (Knowledge Exchange Framework): Research England advised that the deadline for submission of KEF narrative statements (formerly end of May 2020) no longer applies, stating a new deadline of 16 October 2020  A full set of KEF results (metrics and narratives) are now expected to be published in Dec 2020 from the new October narrative deadline. The big news for KEF is the launch of the KEF Concordat which sees the 8 Guiding Principles being profiled as guidance to support HEIs during this crisis.

HEIF (Higher Education Innovation Fund): Research England have committed that they expect to make allocations for the 2020-21 academic year as usual and HEIs will be notified of their allocations as part of the Research England funding round in due course. This includes allocation of an additional £25 million from 2020-2021.

HESA released the 2018-19 sector wide HE Provider Data: Business and Community Interaction (HEBCI) which showed a slight decrease in the number of graduate startups, but increase in turnover and investment for the ones that were reported.

Students and Knowledge Exchange: EEUK Honorary Fellows Professors Gurpreet Jagpal and Andy Penaluna joined the assessment panel from which the Office for Students announced £10 million of funding to 20 higher education providers.  With many EEUK members represented within these 20 HEIs, these projects will explore the impact of student involvement in knowledge exchange.

Maintaining mental health is a clear priority for us all as we support students and our colleagues through uncertainty so please do seek support and guidance from your institution, your union, and from across your network.  There is online advice and contact for students from institutions, national bodies such as Office for Students, and Student Minds but don’t forget your own needs throughout this and draw upon the power of the EEUK network to help you keep connected whilst you work at home.  You will find us on in your inbox a little more regularly as well as on Linkedin and Twitter @EEUK where you can keep an eye on the #EntEdOnline hashtag for latest info.

EEUK remains focused on creating support for members, so please contact us directly if you are addressing any #ented topic that needs some support. Email: alison@enterprise.ac.uk

Alison Price, Head of Policy, Professional Development and Resources, EEUK