The Higher Education Policy Unit

The Higher Education Policy Unit (HEPU) at the University of Leeds is a tightly focused independent research organisation based in the School of Education. HEPU is dedicated to high quality academic research exploring the history, operation and development of higher education policy. Our portfolio of research consists of three main strands of work:
  • Development and evaluation projects externally sponsored by Government departments, national and international agencies, universities and other higher education institutions
  • Investigations externally funded by Research Councils and major Research Charities
  • Internally sponsored studies initiated by the University of Leeds

Multi-disciplinary collaboration

HEPU has substantial experience of working on large-scale multi-disciplinary and collaborative projects at the heart of higher education and research policy. Research expertise is drawn from colleagues in the School of Education and other academic departments at the University of Leeds, as well as those in other Universities and external research consultancies.

Research outputs

Outputs from HEPU's research activities include publications in internationally recognised, peer reviewed academic journals as well as highly specified reports addressing the particular policy interests of individual clients.

Research supervision

HEPU's location in the School of Education at the University of Leeds provides an excellent academic base for postgraduate research supervision. Applications from students interested in developing doctoral research in higher education policy, particularly issues relating to management, governance, research, teaching, knowledge transfer and widening participation are always encouraged. Prospective applicants who would like more information or to discuss their ideas informally in the first instance are invited to contact us using the details below.

Other links

The strength of HEPU's academic research focus is complemented by its close links with two other organisations:
  • Centre for Policy Studies in Education Dissemination of research findings and the implications of policy analysis for educational practitioners and other users of research are facilitated by the activities of CPSE, a high profile University of Leeds centre dedicated to the study of education policy and practice.
  • Evidence Ltd Knowledge transfer and development in commercial applications are handled by the consultancy organisation Evidence Ltd. Evidence is skilled in providing solutions in research performance evaluation, benchmarking, and management information.

Further information and contact details

The Directors of HEPU are David Smith and Jonathan Adams. They have extensive experience of leading and managing national and international collaborative projects on higher education policy funded by research councils, charities, government departments, funding councils, and quality agencies. Enquiries about HEPU including research capabilities and postgraduate supervision are welcomed using any of the contact points below:

Contact:

Dr David Smith School of Education, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK, LS2 9JT Telephone: +44 (0) 113 343 4621 Fax: +44 (0) 113 343 3551 E-mail: D.N.Smith@education.leeds.ac.uk

Dr Jonathan Adams Evidence Ltd 103 Clarendon Road, Leeds, UK LS2 9DF. Telephone: +44 (0) 113 384 5680 Fax: +44 (0) 113 384 5874 E-mail: jonathan.adams@evidence.co.uk

Last updated by Patrick Samphire on 28th September 2006