Experienced Higher Education professional, blogger and commentator. Personal views on higher ed stuff, rankings, regulation, #ncfc & True Crime on Campus. Also podcast: https://audioboom.com/channels/5093607-my-imaginary-universityhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mtlbsev2fy2kIt's the time of year (thereabouts) when the great and the good tell you about all the marvellous books they are planning to read on holiday. We've gone out of our way (not much) to compile an outstanding list of top titles for academics and administrators to carry to the beach. http://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/08/21/top-10-beach-books-for-boffins-and-bureaucrats-2026/21 Aug 2026 07:54 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlbsev2fy2khttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mte34nf2bk2nLatest blog - Paying Too Much For Regulation The Office for Students is planning to modify how it charges fees to the institutions it regulates. But the real issue is that the regulation itself is excessive and costly. Much more radical change is required. https://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/08/01/__trashed/18 Aug 2026 11:05 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mte34nf2bk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mtdl2zhw7v2jNew blog. The Office for Students is planning to modify how it charges fees to the institutions it regulates. But the real issue is that the regulation itself is excessive and costly. Much more radical change is required. http://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/08/01/__trashed/18 Aug 2026 06:18 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtdl2zhw7v2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mt7bf6upm62wVery short review of an outstanding true crime tale from Turman Capote https://proleartthreat.wordpress.com/2026/08/16/chilling/16 Aug 2026 13:14 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt7bf6upm62whttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mrtuqjhpdc2tIt's the ideal source for a fun* higher education quiz *not really that much fun unless you have a thing about mottos https://wonderfulhighered.com/2024/05/03/universities-and-their-mottos/ [contains quote post or other embedded content]30 Jul 2026 07:03 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrtuqjhpdc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mrrgopf2zs2eNew blog - Regulatory Policy Impact or Coincidence? @hepi-news.bsky.social published a blog in June from @smitajamdar.bsky.social and me about the need for some significant regulatory housekeeping at the OfS - there have now been some changes... https://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/07/28/regulatory-policy-impact-or-coincidence/29 Jul 2026 07:47 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrrgopf2zs2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mrphrzuddm2bA blog about some regulatory housekeeping in the form of long overdue updates required to the OfS Regulatory Framework was published by HEPI in June. In July, there were some very welcome changes to the OfS website... http://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/07/28/regulatory-policy-impact-or-coincidence/28 Jul 2026 13:01 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrphrzuddm2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mqt7x7n7vs2uScorched Earth and Chainsaws New blog. With a new Prime Minister there is plenty of speculation about what might be in store for the higher education sector. No-one knows of course but might there be some grounds for optimism about a reduction in regulation? https://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/07/16/scorched-earth-and-chainsaws/17 Jul 2026 07:26 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqt7x7n7vs2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mqt7x7n7vs2uScorched Earth and Chainsaws New blog. With a new Prime Minister there is plenty of speculation about what might be in store for the higher education sector. No-one knows of course but might there be some grounds for optimism about a reduction in regulation? https://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/07/16/scorched-earth-and-chainsaws/17 Jul 2026 07:26 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqt7x7n7vs2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mqrz4fmc622xNew blog. With a new Prime Minister there is plenty of speculation about what might be in store for the higher education sector. No-one knows of course but might there be some grounds for optimism about a reduction in regulation? Let's hope so. http://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/07/16/scorched-earth-and-chainsaws/16 Jul 2026 19:51 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqrz4fmc622xhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mqrz4fmc622xNew blog. With a new Prime Minister there is plenty of speculation about what might be in store for the higher education sector. No-one knows of course but might there be some grounds for optimism about a reduction in regulation? Let's hope so. http://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/07/16/scorched-earth-and-chainsaws/16 Jul 2026 19:51 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqrz4fmc622xhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mpg74sx3mc2oReally pleased to launch Extenuating Circumstances, a brand new legal HE podcast. In this podcast I am in conversation with senior figures from across HE to explore some of the bigger sector legal and regulatory issues. You can sign up and listen to Ep 1 here: https://www.shma.co.uk/sectors/education/higher-education/#extenuatingCircumstances29 Jun 2026 09:42 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpg74sx3mc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mpblcb6ink2pTrent Bridge really is a fabulous cricket ground27 Jun 2026 13:36 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpblcb6ink2phttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mp7ic65xyc27Who Signed Your Certificate? https://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/01/22/who-signed-your-certificate/26 Jun 2026 17:37 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp7ic65xyc27https://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mp6vjkqelc24Very pleased to launch Extenuating Circumstances, a brand new legal HE podcast hosted by me. In this podcast I am in conversation with senior figures from across HE to explore some of the bigger legal and regulatory issues. You can sign up and listen to Ep 1 here: https://www.shma.co.uk/sectors/education/higher-education/#extenuatingCircumstances26 Jun 2026 12:01 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp6vjkqelc24https://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mp6vjkqelc24Very pleased to launch Extenuating Circumstances, a brand new legal HE podcast hosted by me. In this podcast I am in conversation with senior figures from across HE to explore some of the bigger legal and regulatory issues. You can sign up and listen to Ep 1 here: https://www.shma.co.uk/sectors/education/higher-education/#extenuatingCircumstances26 Jun 2026 12:01 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp6vjkqelc24https://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3moxqgrmcns2pA new blog with some observations following the launch of the CUC code of governance for higher education - watch out for all the hidden extras. https://www.shma.co.uk/our-thoughts/codifying-governance-cuc-code-higher-education/23 Jun 2026 15:41 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3moxqgrmcns2phttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mozedl67fc2mNice BBC feature on the Arts Tower at Sheffield and its very special lift However, one observation is well wide of the mark... "It also remains the tallest building on the university, and is believed to be the UK's tallest academic building" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0gy7rm74vo24 Jun 2026 07:10 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mozedl67fc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mozedl67fc2mNice BBC feature on the Arts Tower at Sheffield and its very special lift However, one observation is well wide of the mark... "It also remains the tallest building on the university, and is believed to be the UK's tallest academic building" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0gy7rm74vo24 Jun 2026 07:10 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mozedl67fc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3moxqgrmcns2pA new blog with some observations following the launch of the CUC code of governance for higher education - watch out for all the hidden extras. https://www.shma.co.uk/our-thoughts/codifying-governance-cuc-code-higher-education/23 Jun 2026 15:41 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3moxqgrmcns2phttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mouvcma2ns2dWe need an end to the DIY regulatory framework The Office for Students Regulatory Framework is difficult to navigate, incomplete and significantly out of date. Some major housekeeping is required. And then the whole thing really does need to be overhauled. https://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/06/22/we-need-an-end-to-the-diy-regulatory-framework/22 Jun 2026 12:31 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mouvcma2ns2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mouvcma2ns2dWe need an end to the DIY regulatory framework The Office for Students Regulatory Framework is difficult to navigate, incomplete and significantly out of date. Some major housekeeping is required. And then the whole thing really does need to be overhauled. https://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/06/22/we-need-an-end-to-the-diy-regulatory-framework/22 Jun 2026 12:31 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mouvcma2ns2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3moujuars4l22The Office for Students Regulatory Framework is difficult to navigate, incomplete and significantly out of date. Some major housekeeping is required. And then the whole thing really does need to be overhauled. A brief summary of an article published by HEPI. http://wonderfulhighered.com/2026/06/22/we-need-an-end-to-the-diy-regulatory-framework/22 Jun 2026 09:06 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3moujuars4l22https://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mopgeauwuk2xI knew that I would not be the only one who still had a copy of the CNAA Handbook! [contains quote post or other embedded content]20 Jun 2026 08:20 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mopgeauwuk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mopfwxpsmc2xNew @hepi-news.bsky.social blog - major regulatory housekeeping required at the OfS. Here @smitajamdar.bsky.social and I set out the case for some serious housekeeping at the OfS. The whole thing is a mess and requires a major spring clean to make it actually useable. https://www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/06/20/weekend-reading-housekeeping-and-higher-education-regulation/20 Jun 2026 08:12 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mopfwxpsmc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mon2mm7jl22jNew regulation consultation - the DfE is consulting on the OfS’ fee charging model. This blog looks at the proposals and concludes there is no incentive under the current funding model for the OfS to reduce the regulatory burden or to drive regulatory efficiency. https://www.shma.co.uk/our-thoughts/education-consultation-fees-charged-office-students/19 Jun 2026 09:44 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mon2mm7jl22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mokk4ezyok2jMore #highered regulation is on the way. The OfS is consulting on a new condition of registration on "treating students fairly." In this note, from @smitajamdar.bsky.social and me, we highlight the important issues and areas where we have significant concerns. https://www.shma.co.uk/our-thoughts/new-office-for-students-consultation-condition-c6/18 Jun 2026 09:44 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mokk4ezyok2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/registrarism.bsky.social/post/3mokk4ezyok2jMore #highered regulation is on the way. The OfS is consulting on a new condition of registration on "treating students fairly." In this note, from @smitajamdar.bsky.social and me, we highlight the important issues and areas where we have significant concerns. https://www.shma.co.uk/our-thoughts/new-office-for-students-consultation-condition-c6/18 Jun 2026 09:44 +0000at://did:plc:cm7khevkufynxbsozi76o7ug/app.bsky.feed.post/3mokk4ezyok2j