Open Data Mashup Challenge – a participant’s view
A group of graduate interns and apprentices from Student Services in the at Sheffield Hallam University’s (SHU) Faculty of Development and Society were among the participants in November’s Open Data Mashup Challenge. Lucy Shanks explains how the challenge will benefit their work to improve the student journey.
Not engaging with open data is ‘a loser’s game’
Following Universities UK’s (UUK) recent open data mashup day in partnership with Jisc and the Open Data Institute, Ian Morton of UUK reflects on how smarter use of data by universities could play a significant part in answering the objectives of the government’s green paper on higher education – and also much more.
HESA launches bid to remove barriers to the reuse of its datasets
A five year plan to open up higher education data was unveiled on Thursday by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Rosie Niven reports on the agency’s key recommendations.
An efficient solution to researchers’ identity crisis
Next week’s Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) annual conference will include a session on how universities are implementing the ORCID researcher identifier. Ahead of the event, Jisc’s Verena Weigert explains how ORCID is enabling more effective research management.
How open data can benefit universities
On Tuesday, Universities UK will be hosting an open data mashup, which will focus on enhancing the student journey. As the event approaches, Efficiency Exchange is focusing on the potential of open data to benefit universities in delivering their mission.
UK research secures new national data centre
A new Jisc shared data centre housing the data of six leading UK scientific and academic organisations will enable the sharing of high volumes of data. The facility represents a significant example of asset sharing in the sector with the potential to deliver cost savings and reduce the procurement needs of institutions.
Have your say on easing the burden of data collection
A seemingly simple request for information can turn out to be a painful experience for providers if data is not well managed within an institution. A consultation has been launched to develop a code of practice for higher education data collectors, which HESA's Andy Youell argues on Wonkhe will influence an approach to the behaviour of data collectors and the assessment of burden.
Using students to help stop students dropping out
Who better to ask about why students drop out than students themselves? Jamie Rawsthorne was in his first year at the University of West of England when he met with vice chancellor Steve West to see how he could help prevent students leaving before the end of their courses. The result was the start of his company Unique Insights. Jamie explains why and how he took on the retention challenge.
We call it data – students call it life
Big data will back up the new breed of personal tutors in universities. But Brian Hipkin worries that relying on statistics without a meaningful human context will create a support system that will ultimately fail students.
HEFCE highlights examples of accessible financial information
HEFCE has identified good practice case studies of institutions presenting their financial information in a way that is accessible to students. A report containing the case studies shows the different approaches universities have adopted.
