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Higher Education Policy and the Robbins Report (1961-1963)
11th June 2020 @ 5:45 pm - 7:30 pm
Due to social distancing measures, this session will take place via video conference. The video conference will run from 6 pm – 7:30 pm. Details will be sent on the day to people who have registered via Eventbrite.
Download Supporting Materials
Josh has kindly put together some supporting materials and extracts which he will refer to in his presentation. If you would like to read these ahead of the session, please download the PDF here.
About the June Forum
Our June Open Research Forum is presented by Josh Patel, University of Warwick.
The expansion of higher education following the ‘Robbins Report’ (1963) is rightly regarded as a premier achievement of the welfare state. However, a rereading the report illuminates hints of a pervasive liberal economic thought throughout the Report.
The results of the ‘flow survey’ of 21-year-olds in 1961 by the Report by the Committee on Higher Education (1961-63) described the educational experience of one cohort of children born 1940-41.
The survey detailed the vast numbers of promising women and ‘lower-class’ young people who did not yet have access to higher education opportunities in Britain due to their socio-economic backgrounds. Wielding this evidence, the report dismissed ‘elitist’ arguments, including W. D. Furneaux’s (1961) research, which argued only a ‘Chosen Few’ might benefit from Higher Education.
The results ended most opposition to the idea of an expansive ‘pool of ability’. The survey has been heralded as a premier achievement of the welfare state.
Josh argues that liberal economics – not often seen as an ally of welfarism – heavily influenced the form and application of the ‘flow survey’. The political philosophies of welfarism and liberalism mutually supported one another in the report’s recommendations.
About Vaughan Open Research Forum
Vaughan Open Research Forum is series of talks, workshops and interactive sessions which are open to anyone who is curious and wants to find out more.
Themes for sessions relate to our core teaching topics, arts, humanities, social sciences and counselling, and also discuss adult education and co-operative issues. The Vaughan Open Research Forums take place on the second Thursday of the month.
Due to social distancing measures, this session will take place via video conference. The video conference will run from 6 pm – 7:30 pm. Details will be sent on the day to people who have registered via Eventbrite.