Episode 10 in the series of University Registrars talking about stuff. In this edition Dr Paul Greatrix of the University of Nottingham talks to Nicola Owen, Deputy Chief Executive Operations at Lancaster University about her career, life under lockdown, her University’s response to the current crisis and what the future holds, both for the sector and for AHUA, the Association of Heads of University Administration where Nicola has recently taken over as chair. Nicola shares some of the lessons learned from Storm Desmond and what the future holds, including for university professional services where empowerment has begun to get rather real. We also discuss the implications of the recently announced and rather skimpy support package for higher education in England, the distinctive nature of the campus university spirit and the many ways in which universities have contributed to the national effort in tackling the crisis.

In this episode Paul Greatrix talks to Dr John Hogan of Newcastle University about the impact of cuts in the 80s, the Warwick experience (again), life under lockdown and many a financial challenge ahead for the sector

Episode 8  in the series of podcasts featuring two university Registrars talking about higher ed stuff. In this instalment Dave Hall of the Open University and Dr Paul Greatrix of the University of Nottingham talk about some more highly pertinent higher education matters, this time it is largely about matters ceremonial. First off we look at the thorny issue of the award of honorary degrees and the move from awarding them to eminent and worthy but largely unheard of academic high achievers to the more recent trend of focusing on those with more star quality and celebrity status. Terry Wogan, Brian Clough and John Cooper Clarke all get a mention as does Dave’s failed attempt to engage Archbishop Desmond Tutu in profound theological debate. High profile honorary degree revocations are covered too together with the risks of recognising serving politicians. From honorary degrees we move naturally to the ceremonial position of university chancellors where again there are some striking examples of both celebrity and more mainstream appointments to what still seem to be valuable roles for institutions. Finally we consider the controversial issue of graduation dress where the centuries old gown market is being disrupted thanks to a Dragons’ Den supported company. It’s a mortar board jungle out there.

Episode 7 in the series of podcasts featuring two university Registrars talking about higher ed stuff. In this instalment Dave Hall of the Open University and Dr Paul Greatrix of the University of Nottingham discuss a diverse range of key issues from controversial speakers to reindeer on campus. Universities are expected and required to be guardians of free speech but we often find we have speakers whose views we might not like and many might find upsetting and in ensuring we meet our legal obligations we can end up annoying almost everyone. Universities have to bend over backwards to accommodate speakers and yet are regularly berated by politicians and the media for not doing this despite the absence of evidence. There remains therefore the possibility of further legislation but this is fraught with difficulty and it does seem that, against the odds perhaps, the existing laws do actually work. 

Looking at the issue of ethical investments, this is noted as another area where student protest has, over time, really shifted the debate and led to fossil fuel divestment although there remain different views about research collaboration with the same companies on environmentally beneficial projects.

Finally there is the salutary example of protests about the presence of visiting reindeer on campus being used to support a charity promoting environmental work which leads inevitably into an exploration of the value of puppy rooms, the possible impact of emotional support animals and the surprising popularity of Canada geese, despite their unpleasant deposits. 

This is the sixth in the series of podcasts featuring two university Registrars talking about higher ed stuff. In this episode Dave Hall of the Open University and Dr Paul Greatrix of the University of Nottingham talk about the different elements of the highest level of university governance. Goings on at the governing body are largely unseen by many within universities and there is a real need to ensure governing body members understand the university better and are more visible to staff. The importance of drawing the line between governance and management as well as getting the core elements of business operations right are explored along with the need for the involvement of students and staff in the big decisions. Unsurprisingly  perhaps the vital role of the Registrar as secretary to the governing body is emphasised as is the need for them to support both the chair and Vice-Chancellor in ensuring effective governance. There’s also plenty of discussion about the role of the VC and a defining governance moment in the history of the University of Nottingham.

Episode 5 in the series of podcasts featuring two university Registrars talking about higher ed stuff. Dave Hall of the Open University and Dr Paul Greatrix of the University of Nottingham talk through a number of areas of university life including the challenging issues around supporting animal research, student protests and occupations and the impact that students can have on the local community.

We look at the difficulties associated with building a new animal research facility, the desire of universities to be more open about the research they conduct involving animals and the benefits this brings together with the need to engage with those holding very different views. Protests on campus are often student led and these can be very challenging as with the example of student objections to a particular sculpture results in an expletive utterance directed at the Registrar by the protestors. Oops. Having explored why students are not snowflakes and the success of major student led campaigns around sexual violence and harassment and decolonisation the issues of student impact on local communities are also considered. University life in all its rich and diverse glory.

Episode 4 
Welcome to the fourth in the series of podcasts featuring two university Registrars talking about higher ed stuff. Dave Hall of the University of Leicester and Dr Paul Greatrix of the University of Nottingham talk through a number of items of registrarial interest with the focus this time very much on teaching and learning. The big issues addressed include: are we doing the right things in the classroom and how do we know; what is higher education actually for - is it all about getting a great job or more to do with lliving a good life and being a good citizen; and shouldn’t senior managers be focusing on all of this a bit more? There’s lots of discussion too on curricula, community and inclusivity and the extent to which social class is still a vital issue in higher education. There are also meanderings through the corridors of the School of Life, some mention of the rankings and then the place of academic discourse in public life. A packed agenda to enjoy.

The third in the series of podcasts featuring two university Registrars talking about higher ed stuff. Dave Hall of the University of Leicester and Dr Paul Greatrix of the University of Nottingham talk through a number of items of registrarial interest including some of some of the more unusual aspects of the Registrar role, such as working with partners in challenging environments from Afghanistan to Ethiopia to Iraq and Malaysia and China. Some contrasts with Swedish HE are noted before things move on to the exceptional challenges of portraits, diversity and gas pipelines. Yes, really.

The second in the series of podcasts featuring two university Registrars talking about higher ed stuff. Dave Hall of the University of Leicester and Dr Paul Greatrix of the University of Nottingham talk through a number of topics including job titles, from Registrar to COO to CFO and all points in between, the most enjoyable and least satisfying aspects of being a Registrar, the excitement and challenges of a good crisis and lots of stuff about meetings and minute writing. Leicester city fans will be delighted their team features here as will family and friends of Richard III. There’s also reference to robots and artificial intelligence but also a bit of a shout for the more traditional notice board.

The very first in a series of podcasts featuring two university Registrars talking about higher ed stuff. Dave Hall of the University of Leicester and Dr Paul Greatrix of the University of Nottingham talk through a number of topics including the role of the Registrar, some key responsibilities of the job and Dave’s career trajectory from the army and rebellion in the ranks to sabbatical officer and university administrator. The shared Warwick experience - both worked at the University for a period - including their (very small) part in organising the visit of Bill Clinton visit to the institution and some aspects of ’the Warwick Way’ are covered. A surprising encounter with Jeremy Vine is noted along with some other additional perhaps slightly curmudgeonly observations about university life today.