In this episode of TalkingHE, we talk to Professor Paul Ashwin, Professor of Higher Education, Head of Educational Research at Lancaster University and Deputy Director of the Centre for Global Higher Education, an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded Centre. We discuss the educational role of higher education, the balance of teaching and research, the role policy plays in shaping the modern university and three suggestions for Vice Chancellors' listening. Follow host ⁠⁠Santanu Vasant⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠TalkingHEPod⁠⁠ on Twitter. #TalkingHE