Unions and university staff on new OfS student interest board

England’s higher education regulator is launching a new “student interest board”, which will incorporate students’ unions and university staff as well as current learners.

Applications have opened for the new Office for Students committee, which will replace the watchdog’s existing student panel.

The OfS said the membership would be “a mix of students, staff and officers from students’ unions, staff from universities and colleges who work on student issues, and others who can share on students’ interests”.

The shift responds to long-running criticism of the regulator’s engagement with students. The independent review of the OfS by Sir David Behan – now the organisation’s interim chair – concluded that “there was broad consensus that student voice and perspective was noticeably absent from the OfS”.

In his report, Sir David criticised a “lack of meaningful engagement with student bodies”, including the National Union of Students and campus students’ unions, and said the existing panel was “not a source of intelligence on student priorities”, and as such members “believed they did not have the opportunity to input on the issues they felt were most important to students”.

The OfS said the new student interest board would be a committee of the main OfS board, as recommended by Sir David.

Susan Lapworth, the OfS’ chief executive, said the new board was “a critical part of our new approach to working with students”.

“It will provide us with a diverse range of experiences and insight from students, from those working in policy development, and from people with experience of working with and for students,” Ms Lapworth said.

“This mix of members will ensure we’re hearing strong student voices, and also the contributions of those who work closely with students, and who can bring their experiences and expertise to our work.

“I’d encourage anyone who is committed to working with us to improve the experiences of students across the country to apply.”

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com