Issue #53: March 2026

Leading Through Change: Rethinking Universities for a New Era

March offers an opportunity to reflect on leadership, progress and the evolving future of our sector. As we mark International Women’s Day, this edition of Development Monthly highlights voices that encourage us to think differently about how higher education can respond to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Marion Thain, Director of the Edinburgh Futures Institute and Professor of Culture and Technology at the University of Edinburgh, considers the changing nature of universites at a time of significant financial pressure and structural change. While the number of women in senior roles has grown in recent years, these shifts coincide with a particularly demanding period for the sector. Marion reflects on how universities must continue to evolve if they are to remain relevant, impactful and connected to the needs of society.  Vicki Stott, Chief Executive of the Quality Assurance Agency for HE, continues the theme of sector transformation through the lens of partnership. Exploring the growing importance of collaboration across higher education and working together, across institutions, regions and sectors, as essential in navigating demographic change, financial pressure and evolving policy expectations.