What does it really mean to be in the middle of a university league table?

Measuring civic engagement in higher education is inherently complex due to the diverse and varied nature of civic partnerships.

Understanding the different types can help individuals and organisations leverage these tools effectively.

In the face of an increasing set of challenges, universities must find new ways to innovate and adapt.

Best practice examples of how digital capabilities are deployed across the higher education sector.

Viewing people strategies through the lens of civic engagement offers opportunities for universities to deepen their civic mission.

Fostering a strong sense of belonging amongst staff supports a shared sense of purpose and encourages a supportive and enabling environment. This can provide the foundation from which to build on an organisation's institutional and departmental strategic objectives.

Higher education students’ identities are constructed in different ways, by them individually, by higher education institutions and within society. This article introduces different ways of thinking about student identities, considers what this might mean for student expectations, and finally reflects on what this might say about different forms of student engagement.

Relatively recently in the sector, there has been an increased focus on social responsibility and civic engagement, generating more debate around the focus and the definition of these terms. There are now fifty-nine universities committed to creating a Civic University Agreement. This article introduces some factors driving civic engagement in the sector, and discusses some of the challenges related to scoping where civic engagement should apply.

This article outlines issues relating to defining belonging, explains why belonging is important and highlights the work Strive Higher has done to foster belonging in practice.

Taking the time to collectively articulate and embed shared values, beliefs and behaviours can positively impact business outcomes.

A student's sense of belonging is intrinsically linked to their student experience. It is well established that engagement, surroundings, and personal space are key facets of fostering student belonging.

Organisational culture is comprised of commonly held values, beliefs and behaviours. Taking the time to collectively articulate and embed cultural expectations can support employee engagement and well-being which, in turn, can positively impact business outcomes. 

Being able to accurately forecast student numbers and recruit students is vital for the financial health of any university. As such, universities must look beyond how student recruitment teams operate to consider how the wider ecosystem across functions can be nurtured to support overall recruitment ambitions.