North West Business Leadership Team’s Post

Fueled by community and connection, Noodle comprises a bustling network of experts at the forefront of higher education innovation. We're excited to help our community get to know some of our dedicated, ace team members. Meet Regina Law, our VP, Partnership Development | Technology. "For the last 8 years, I’ve worked in and with universities to develop strategy, build relationships, and formalize technology and operations to activate new revenue from corporate partnerships, lifelong learning, and international expansion." Learn more about Regina https://bit.ly/3WLy4CA Areas of Expertise: Strategy, Higher Ed, Professional and Adult Education, Tech Solutions Specialties: Growth Strategy, Revenue Innovation, Lifelong learning, International Expansion

Back in 1970, the economist Milton Friedman famously argued that businesses have a single responsibility: to increase profit. For decades, the so-called “Friedman doctrine” amounted to dogma in certain circles, including at many business schools. A lot has changed since those days. Governments and other education funders are increasingly demanding that universities prioritize social goals, like those set out in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Meanwhile, business schools are dealing with new market pressures, including global rankings that are now taking societal impact into account, and students, professors and accrediting bodies that increasingly value social responsibility.

Our latest #EducationInsights report brings together different viewpoints on education at scale and what it means for their organisation. In this preview, Oriel Square's Sam Derby and Hannie Kirkham look at recent research into education at scale to identify emerging trends: https://buff.ly/45JGpe9

This week I started writing a blog article about exactly this and a call to action for further funding to support equality, leadership, growth, and productivity to allow knowledge exchange experts to support SMEs, and in particular female founders. “Falls in university-business interaction are likely linked to a range of factors including the significant financial pressures facing universities, as well as the loss of vital EU Regional Development Funding (ERDF). ERDF played a critical role in supporting some forms of collaboration but has not been adequately replaced.” Gill concluded: “Despite the declines observed in 2022-23, university-business collaboration remains a major competitive strength of the UK. The new data highlights UK university strengths in generating spinouts, with the number of university spinout companies surviving longer than three years growing by 9%. There is a crucial window for the Government to act now to return university-business collaboration to a trajectory of growth. This requires putting university funding on a more sustainable footing and supporting collaboration with businesses of all sizes.” https://lnkd.in/ehkvqKYx

At EA, we’re trying to do more than just “bridge the gap” between #research and technology—we’re trying to create a new kind of organization that leverages the strengths of each field to solve the most pressing problems in public #education. In our latest blog, CEO Andrew Rice and Chief of Staff Libby Pier share some of the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve worked to build a technology-enabled research organization. They discuss the cultural differences that can cause researchers and technologists to talk past each other, and highlight the commonalities across these fields that when leveraged, can help transform education into a truly information-rich, evidence-driven industry. Read the full #blog below! https://lnkd.in/gfD3uGn5

Creativity and culture are more than just subjects—they're lifelines for innovation, self-expression, and collaboration. This week, I was an article that highlighted a troubling trend. Arts courses being closed at Universities due to budget constraints. This week's article focused on the illustration course at the University of Northampton which is at risk of closure, part of wider cuts to save money. In response, students are showcasing their talent through a sci-fi fantasy exhibition, hoping to emphasize the importance of their course. As second-year student Daniel Jupp shared, the prospect of closures or mergers creates an "unsure and overwhelming environment" for those passionate about these fields. The issue isn't isolated. Universities across the UK face "pressing challenges," often leaving creative courses on the chopping block. Yet these courses contribute immensely to society—not just through art but through fostering innovation, storytelling, and new ways of thinking. How can we balance financial realities with preserving creative education? If culture is a cornerstone of progress, it shouldn’t be seen as expendable. Let’s spark a discussion on sustainable solutions for creative education👇 #Creativity #Education #Funding #Innovation #Arts

The creative industries are a huge success story for the UK; according to the previous Government, in recent years they have generated more value to the economy than the life sciences, aerospace and automotive industries combined. However, we know that cuts to arts education and rhetoric about “low-value courses” pose a threat to the future of our world-leading creative sector. GuildHE and UKADIA’s new report highlights the vital role of creative skills right across the economy, reiterating the urgent need for investment to inspire and support tomorrow's workforce and futureproof the creative industries’ talent pipeline. Read the full report, collated by Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA and Dana G. here: https://lnkd.in/gdu7wMsi It's not just about the economy. Our work across the skills space has shown us that creativity is becoming increasingly coveted by employers in all sectors. There's a wealth of evidence that demonstrates the positive impact creative activities have on the wellbeing and happiness of individuals and communities.   At Hopscotch, we developed our skills pipeline tool in response to the pressing challenge of skills shortages shared by many sectors in the UK, and have used it to help clients identify specific barriers and develop bespoke solutions aligned to their priorities, whether that’s an impactful new skills programme or a campaign to diversify where talent comes from.   If this is a challenge you’re facing too, we’d love to hear your perspective – and explore how we can make a difference together. 

Why are research/analytics and IT/technology teams seemingly always fighting? Is it oil and water? Throughout my career as a researcher and technologist and now as a person who tries to lead teams in research/tech collaboration I have come to notice some stuff that I hope starts a conversation about enhanced collaboration. Check out my latest piece with Libby Pier if you are interested!

"At some point, the people who have been running a [family] business will retire and a new generation will need to take the helm. If you are part of that rising generation, you are about to have a lot of responsibility fall on your shoulders." Harvard Business School professors Lauren Cohen and Christina Wing, faculty co-chairs of Rising Generation in the Family Enterprise, share how this program addresses the responsibilities and challenges that come with running a family enterprise: https://bit.ly/3UlD0N5

In a recent THE Campus article, Andrew Greenaway highlights the importance of a mindset shift in academia's digital transformation. He advocates for a user-centric, test-and-learn approach, encouraging institutions to embrace innovation and cultivate a start-up culture that values risk-taking and creative disruption. This approach is not just advantageous but essential for higher education. I'd love to discuss how First American can support your institution in implementing Greenaway's forward-thinking strategies. #DigitalTransformation #HigherEducation #Technology https://lnkd.in/dPT9iyv6