Redesigning an Innovative Higher Education System to Address Market Demands

In the UK, the Department for Education (DfE) is facing policy decisions about future interventions and funding in higher education (HE), with a focus on innovation, skills, and economic growth. One of the key areas of concern is the absence of a transparent assessment framework for determining the strategic importance of subjects in HE.

A new policy brief, authored by Lesley Giles and published by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre and Work Advance, provides a comprehensive solution to this issue. The paper, titled "How to design a creative higher education system that supports economic needs," can be referenced at

The policy brief proposes a six-step framework to design a transparent assessment framework for determining the strategic importance of subjects in HE.

## Designing a Transparent Framework

### 1. Define Strategic Importance - Establish Criteria: Clearly outline criteria that define strategic importance, such as economic impact, societal relevance, innovation potential, and alignment with national goals. - Stakeholder Engagement: Involve a diverse group of stakeholders, including faculty, students, industry partners, and policymakers, to ensure that the criteria reflect a broad range of perspectives.

### 2. Use Quantitative and Qualitative Metrics - Quantitative Metrics: Utilize data such as employment rates, graduate salaries, industry demand, research output, and societal impact metrics. - Qualitative Metrics: Include assessments of programmatic relevance, student satisfaction, and community engagement to provide a comprehensive view.

### 3. Create a Transparent Evaluation Process - Clear Guidelines: Develop detailed guidelines outlining the assessment process to ensure consistency and fairness. - Regular Review: Establish a regular review cycle to update criteria and metrics as needed, reflecting changes in societal and economic contexts.

### 4. Foster Collaboration Among Stakeholders - Interdisciplinary and Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Encourage collaboration among departments and faculties to promote a holistic understanding of strategic importance. - Equitable Partnerships: Foster partnerships with industry and community organizations to enhance the relevance and impact of assessed subjects.

### 5. Implement a Fair and Equitable Funding Model - Needs-Based Allocation: Allocate funding based on demonstrated needs and strategic importance, ensuring that resources are distributed fairly across subjects. - Incentives for Innovation: Offer incentives for innovative and interdisciplinary programs that align with national strategic goals.

### 6. Ensure Transparency and Accountability - Public Reporting: Publish the assessment criteria, process, and outcomes to maintain transparency and accountability. - Independent Oversight: Establish an independent body to review and audit the assessment process to prevent bias and ensure fairness.

### Example Framework

| **Criteria** | **Metrics** | **Weightage** | |---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Economic Impact | Employment rates, graduate salaries, industry demand | 30% | | Societal Relevance | Community engagement, societal impact, alignment with national goals | 25% | | Innovation Potential | Research output, innovation awards, interdisciplinary collaborations | 20% | | Student and Stakeholder Satisfaction | Student satisfaction surveys, stakeholder feedback | 25% |

This framework would need to be tailored to the specific context of each institution or country, taking into account local needs and priorities.

The policy brief also discusses creative industries innovation in seaside resorts and country towns, international trade in the UK creative industries, and the importance of the UK television production sector as one of Britain's leading creative export sectors. Additionally, it highlights the Northern Creative Corridor initiative, aimed at connecting creative clusters across Northern regions, and the priority given to subjects of "Strategic Importance" in HE, such as STEM and healthcare subjects.

The paper also addresses concerns about the absence of a transparent assessment framework for determining "Strategic Importance," causing unease and concerns about fairness in the decision-making process. By implementing this proposed framework, the Government can make future policy decisions in HE informed, equitable, and supportive of long-term success.

Related Policy Briefings include Education, Skills, Talent, State of the Nations, Internationalisation, and others. For more information, visit the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre's website.

The Department for Education (DfE) in the UK is exploring strategies for future interventions and funding in higher education (HE), emphasizing innovation, skills, and economic growth.
A policy solution to the lack of a transparent assessment framework for determining strategic importance in HE has been proposed in a new policy brief.
Titled "How to design a creative higher education system that supports economic needs," the brief suggest a six-step framework for creating a transparent assessment system.
The first step involves defining strategic importance by establishing criteria such as economic impact, societal relevance, innovation potential, and alignment with national goals.
Stakeholder engagement is crucial in step 1, involving faculty, students, industry partners, and policymakers in the process.
Quantitative and qualitative metrics are used in step 2, with data on employment rates, graduate salaries, research output, societal impact, and student satisfaction being included.
Step 3 outlines a transparent evaluation process with clear guidelines for consistency and fairness, and a regular review cycle to update the criteria and metrics.
Collaboration among stakeholders is encouraged in step 4, promoting interdisciplinary and cross-departmental collaboration for a holistic understanding of strategic importance.
A fair and equitable funding model is proposed in step 5, with needs-based allocation and incentives for innovation and interdisciplinary programs.
The framework also calls for transparency and accountability, with public reporting and independent oversight to prevent bias and ensure fairness.
The policy brief further discusses creative industries innovation in seaside resorts and country towns, international trade in the UK creative industries, and the importance of the UK television production sector as one of Britain's leading creative export sectors, among other topics.