Campus interview: David Latchman, vice-chancellor Birkbeck, University of London

Campus interview: David Latchman, vice-chancellor Birkbeck, University of London

Author: Campus by Times Higher Education June 22, 2023 Duration: 28:17
Will the promise of lifelong learning - to extend access to higher education to more people while at the same time creating a highly skilled and relevant workforce - ever be realised? On the whole, university systems remain set up to educate 18-year-olds studying full-time degrees. And how many working age adults are really able to take time off to go back to study and to take on more debt?  David Latchman, vice-chancellor at Birkbeck, University of London, is optimistic that universities and the public have woken up to the importance of lifelong learning. In this interview we talk about why he thinks England's Lifelong Loan Entitlement programme is the right one to unlock the benefits of lifelong learning, the sticking points of the policy and how employers should get on board.   

What does it really take to run a modern university? Campus Talks by Times Higher Education moves beyond the headlines and policy papers to explore the human stories and practical challenges shaping colleges and universities today. Each episode features candid conversations with the academics, administrators, and staff on the front lines, offering a ground-level view of the forces transforming education globally. You’ll hear nuanced discussions about reinventing teaching methods, navigating the complexities of international partnerships, pursuing meaningful research, and building institutions that are both excellent and sustainable. This isn’t a series of abstract lectures; it’s a forum for genuine problem-solving and shared experience. The podcast draws on the extensive network and editorial expertise of its host, Campus by Times Higher Education, to connect listeners with diverse voices from campuses worldwide. Whether you’re a faculty member, a university leader, or simply fascinated by the inner workings of higher education, these dialogues provide actionable insights and a deeper understanding of the academy’s evolving role in society. Tune in for thoughtful analysis that respects the complexity of the issues while searching for tangible solutions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Campus Talks by Times Higher Education
Podcast Episodes
Campus: Microcredentials are knocking. Will higher education answer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:21
From employers to policy makers, universities and their students, everyone agrees that alternative credentials are a good thing for the economy and for expanding access to higher education. But it’s one thing to think it…
Campus: How to do public engagement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:39
In the lead-up to the Times Higher Education Awards 2023, for this episode, we talk to two winners from last year, both of whom share their advice, insights and best practice for engaging the public. King’s College Londo…
Campus: What to do when principles of free speech are tested [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:08
Academic freedom and free speech are the defining values of higher education institutions. But sticking to those principles becomes very difficult when polarising political events divide communities on and off campus. In…
Campus: Unlocking people power through citizen science [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:13
Find out how engaging non-academics in research can uncover and disperse new knowledge and ways of thinking that could help shape solutions to seemingly intractable problems
Campus: How to be a good mentor and mentee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:56
For this episode of the podcast we handed the mic over to the Campus network to get their top tips on how to be a good mentor and mentee. These relationships can make or break academic careers so getting them right is cr…
Campus interview: Ngiare Brown, chancellor, James Cook University [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:11
Ngiare Brown is the first female and the first indigenous chancellor of James Cook University. She’s joined the institution at a time when efforts to indigenise Australian higher education are taking root, with the recen…