Key Areas of Influence
Because of its broad representation and policy of active consultation with members, University English has considerable influence in key areas of educational policy. For example:
- University English had a formative influence on the membership of the REF 2014 panel and of previous RAE panels. Our recommendations help to shape the policy of the English sub-panel and to ensure that its deliberations remain in touch with a wide swathe of subject community opinion.
- University English played a leading role in establishing the Subject Benchmark Group, whose membership was devised after consultation with University English members. This ensured the group was responsive to the needs of the subject community and that the benchmark statement was neither too restrictive nor prescriptive.
- University English has remained in positive dialogue with the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)and its forebears to ensure as far as possible that audit remains responsive to and informed of the concerns of the subject.
- As a member of the Common English Forum, University English has participated in discussions with the Department for Education about the National Curriculum and reform of the school examination system, in particular the future of A Levels and GCSE.
- University English is campaigning to defend the interests of English in changes resulting from the Browne Report and the 2011 White Paper on Higher Education.
- University English is actively involved in the debate about Open Access publication, working alongside the English Association and other organisations.
- For details of these and other activities, see our Current Consultations page.
Through its affiliation with the European Society for the Study of English, University English also provides a link to English lecturers in other countries. University English is represented upon the Board of ESSE, and the President of ESSE is regularly invited to speak at the AGM of University English.
Membership of University English is by departmental subscription. To take out a subscription, see the bottom of the home page.
Constitution
The University English Constitution (revised April 2016) is available here: constitution-updated-12-april-2016.
