HESA has released the first consultation phase of its HE-BCI review, following publication of a project mandate and timeline in September.
HE-BCI is a key source of data and information about universities’ 'third stream' activities (those undertaken alongside research and teaching) that has been collected for well over a decade. The data collection covers: institutional strategy, business and community services, engagement with society, intellectual property, spin-off businesses, and regeneration and development. HE-BCI data informs institutional HEIF allocations and is a building block of the current KEF model.
Phase one of the consultation aims to gather the experiences of people who are both submitting and using the data, providing an opportunity to express views on how HE-BCI data might be adapted to changing needs and requirements. Through this consultation HESA will determine the direction of the HE-BCI collection and highlight areas which need extensive review and future-proofing.
Knowledge exchange and engagement activities have grown in scale and significance since the HE-BCI data collection was last reviewed. At the same time UK and regional industrial strategies emphasise the importance of research, innovation and development. The review will seek to identify the data needs of statutory, HE sector, business and community users, and explore the best ways of meeting those needs. The review was confirmed at the PraxisAuril annual conference, where delegates had an opportunity to join a conference session with HESA representatives and explore aspects of the HE-BCI data set. Slides are available for members to download from the PraxisAuril website.
Details of the review timetable and the current consultation phase are available on the HESA website. PraxisAuril will submit a response on behalf of its membership. If you would like to speak to someone about the review, please contact our Head of Policy, Tamsin Mann. The deadline for consultation responses is Friday, 29th November.