The Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance Arrangements in Wales led by Professor Sir Ian Diamond has been published today. The review, commissioned in 2014, focuses on widening access; supporting the skill needs of Wales; strengthening part-time and postgraduate provision in Wales; and long-term financial sustainability.
As part of the review, quality research funding and knowledge transfer were also assessed. The review comments on the contribution WISERD makes in this area and states:
‘…it is clear that WISERD has developed into a major resource for providing knowledge transfer across a wide range of the social sciences.’
The review goes further to recommend:
‘The Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data & Methods (WISERD) to receive core funding from the Welsh Government to impact on social policy, on a five year basis, against an expectation of the majority of its funding coming from projects.’
WISERD Director, Professor Ian Rees Jones comments: ‘This is a significant endorsement from the Diamond Review and I am delighted that WISERD has been recognised for the breadth, excellence and policy relevance of its research programmes.’
Professor Sir Ian Diamond comments in the review: ‘We are delighted to propose this package of recommendations for the future funding of higher education to the Welsh Government. It is a package that comprises interlocking elements and should be seen in its entirety; it therefore requires implementation as a whole. It is shaped by our core values that the education, research and knowledge exchange delivered by higher education can transform Wales and provide enormous opportunities for all those who have the ability to benefit from it.’
Click here to read the report in full (and full quote on recommendations for WISERD on page 61).