In my March newsletter: University finances, the QS World University Rankings by Subject, BUCS Big Wednesday, nominations for University awards, and Fellowships of the Academy of Social Sciences.

An update on the financial landscape 

At General Assembly on 4 March, I gave an overview of the financial landscape, and the implications of some of the pressures that are impacting, or are likely to impact, Loughborough and the higher education sector as a whole, both now and in the future. This was followed up yesterday with a staff forum, hosted by the Chief Operating Officer, Richard Taylor, aimed primarily at Professional Services staff, to provide a further overview of the measures we’re taking to try to ensure our long-term sustainability. A summary of the discussion is available online for those who could not attend. 

Our immediate focus is to deliver savings of around £8m required for the next financial year in a carefully considered and targeted way. Let me reiterate what we have previously said: there will not be a university-wide compulsory redundancy scheme. We will look to make savings through a reduction in non-pay budgets, permanent removal of existing vacancies, and very limited, targeted proposals for redundancy across the Professional Services. 

We have always managed, and will continue to manage, our finances prudently and responsibly and, as a result, we have so far been able to avoid some of the difficult challenges being felt by others in the sector. But the higher education sector is facing a level of financial pressure we have not experienced before. We are operating in a new global environment: with fewer overseas students looking to study in the UK and tighter government immigration policies, the international student recruitment market has shifted significantly. We must make changes to the way we operate and that will stand us in good stead for the future.

I know this is difficult news and may be unsettling. Our priority is to handle the process as respectfully and transparently as possible. We will endeavour to keep you updated as this work progresses and make sure you have opportunities to ask questions.  

Loughborough tops global rankings for 10th year in a row 

One of the most well-respected international league tables, the annual QS global subject rankings, was published last week and I was delighted to see that Loughborough was crowned the world’s best university for sports-related subjects for the tenth year in a row. Being the best in the world in a given academic subject is a fantastic achievement, being at the top for a decade is truly amazing! It is testament to the talent, dedication and collaborative spirit of our staff, students, partners and alumni and reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching, research and performance. 

The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Sports Technology Institute and the London-based Institute for Sport Business are all renowned for the fundamental and applied research they undertake. Together they have helped athletes win Olympic and Paralympic medals, improved public health and influenced international sports policy at the highest level. 

I was also delighted to see a continual upwards trajectory in a range of other subject areas. We are placed in the top 50 in the Library and Information Management subject category (22nd), which reflects work undertaken in the School of Social Sciences and Humanities and Loughborough Business School; 38th in Anatomy and Physiology, encompassing work in the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences and the School of Science; and 48th in Art and Design. 

The University secured top 100 rankings in five further subjects: Architecture and the Built Environment, Communication and Media Studies, Geography, Petroleum Engineering (which is undertaken in the Schools of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering and Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering), and Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering. 

The QS World University Rankings by Subject are based on surveys of academic staff who specialise in the subject area, and employers who recruit graduates from the discipline. It also considers research output and impact, measuring both citations and paper output over a five-year period. Our performance in the rankings shows that our work is recognised and valued by the international academic community. 

Enhancing our standing in the QS rankings is a key objective in our strategy. To have consolidated our international standing in all of these areas is an important step forward in our reputational ambitions. 

A memorable BUCS Big Wednesday 

Students from across the country flocked to our Loughborough campus last week for BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Big Wednesday, which showcases the very best of elite student sport. This was the third consecutive year that we have hosted the competition, which underlines our commitment to sport and our outstanding sporting ecosystem, aligned to our strategic aim of Sporting Excellence and Opportunity. 

The event is the culmination of months of league competition with over 2,000 student-athletes, coaches and support staff competing in 60 Championship, Trophy and Vase finals across 16 different sports. More than 100 student volunteers from our Coach and Volunteer Academy (CVA) also played a vital role in delivering the competition. The passion, dedication and talent on display was truly inspiring.  

The event was yet another occasion to remember, with Loughborough teams securing 13 of the 16 possible pieces of silverware. Standout performances included Netball Women’s 1’s, who claimed the Championship title for a fourth year in a row, and Badminton Men’s 1’s, who secured their third consecutive title. 

Congratulations to all those involved in these events and thank you to everyone who worked so hard to deliver them. 

Nominating individuals for University honours 

At the graduation ceremonies each summer and winter, as well as celebrating our students’ achievements, we bestow honours on exceptional people from across the University and beyond.  

We award Honorary Degrees to recognise high-profile individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to fields the University has close links with. Among our most recent recipients were Pia Sinha (Chief Executive Officer of the Prison Reform Trust), actor and Loughborough alum Colin McFarlane, and Paul Sinton-Hewitt, who founded Parkrun. 

We also present University Medals to celebrate the very best of our community. Recent recipients include Professor of Environmental Physiology and Ergonomics George Havenith, Sports Ground Manager William Relf, and Sandra Freeman from Domestic Services in Estates and Facilities Management. 

Nominations for Honorary Degrees and University Medals can be made by any current member of staff, current students or lay members of University Council, and I’d encourage you to consider putting forward a nomination for someone you consider to be truly worthy of recognition. Details of the criteria, the process and how you can nominate someone for an Honorary Degree or a University Medals are available online. We’ve also made a short video. 

Each nomination is considered by the University Honours Committee, which meets three times a year. The next nomination deadline is 15 May. So if you know of someone at the University who goes above and beyond and makes a truly outstanding contribution to the University, or you think the work and commitment of someone in wider society is worthy of recognition, please do think about putting them forward. 

Professors made Fellows of Academy of Social Sciences 

It was announced this month that three of our Professors – Kirsten Campbell, Professor of Law and Society; Helen Drake, Professor of French and European Studies; and Máiréad Enright, Professor of Law – have been awarded Fellowships by the Academy of Social Sciences, reflecting the outstanding quality of their research and their commitment to ensuring social science delivers real benefits for society. 

The Academy is the sector’s leading independent voice in the UK, championing the role that the social sciences play in education, government and business. Fellows are selected from the public, private and third sectors through an independent peer review process that recognises both their contributions, excellence and impact within the social sciences.  

To have staff and graduates made Fellows of prestigious academies such as this underlines our standing as a leading university and also helps to further our strategic ambition to raise the University’s global profile. 

Congratulations to Kirsten, Helen and Máiréad on your achievement. 

REF code of conduct 

There are just a few more days to give your feedback on the draft Research Excellence Framework (REF) Code of Practice, an essential document outlining how we will make fair, transparent and inclusive decisions about our REF 2029 submission, including the selection of research outputs. 

UK Town of Culture bid 

The University is working in partnership with Charnwood Borough Council and community organisations on a bid for Loughborough to become the UK Town of Culture 2028. The competition enables towns to showcase their cultural story and celebrate local heritage, creativity and communities. 

The UK and Global Young Academies 

Mentoring and training places are available to support applicants to two of the most prestigious interdisciplinary networks for emerging leaders: the UK Young Academy and the Global Young Academy.