Higher education institutions' costs and efficiency: taking the decomposition a further step

A multiproduct cost function is estimated for English higher education institutions using a panel of data from recent years. The panel approach allows estimation by means of a random parameter stochastic frontier model which provides considerable new insights in that it allows the impact on costs of inter-institutional differences in the cost function itself to be distinguished from inter-institutional differences in efficiency. The approach used here therefore resembles in some respects the non-parametric methods of efficiency evaluation. We report also on measures of average incremental cost of provision and on returns to scale and scope.

Education and economic growth

Contemporary views on the determinants of economic growth place education in centre stage. Yet the way in which education affects growth is not yet well understood. This paper begins by surveying the recent literature on the factors that affect growth, paying particular attention to education. It then proceeds to estimate a comprehensive model of growth, testing its robustness across regions of the world. Policy conclusions are drawn

We can’t go on pretending that poverty is solved by getting a job

Chris Johnes argues that getting a job is not necessarily a route out of poverty. Rising costs and falling real wages means that having a job won’t necessarily allow you to make ends meet. What’s worse, the auterity programme is hitting low-income households disproportionately hardest. We must, therefore, rethink the prevailing attitude towards taxes and social justice

An analysis of costs in institutions of higher education in England

Cost functions are estimated, using both random effects and stochastic frontier methods, for institutions of higher education in England. The paper advances on the existing literature by employing finer disaggregation by subject, institution type, and location, and by introducing consideration of quality effects. The findings are that, amongst undergraduates, medical students are the most costly, and non-science students the least; amongst postgraduates, those on taught courses are costly, while research students are relatively inexpensive. Provision in London is found to be more costly than that elsewhere. Estimates of economies of scale and economies of scope vary according to the choice of estimating technique. The random effects model suggests that ray economies of scale and economies of scope are ubiquitous. The stochastic frontier model suggests some product-specific economies of scale in research, but diseconomies elsewhere, and product specific economies of scope in undergraduate science, but diseconomies elsewhere. This has implications for achieving any expansion in higher education.

‘Good uni: quality nightlife’. How harvesting tweets opens up a new world of valuable qualitative data

The qualitative data that is freely available on social media platforms has huge potential. Drawing on his research into what Twitter can tell us about the popularity of universities, Geraint Johnes writes that Twitter and Facebook messages could be the key to valuable data

Human movement : the transition of people through space and time

The main goal of this creative project was to study the human figure and its relationship to its environment. In the process of exploring this idea, several key concepts became the focal point. First, the element of time was studied. The primary emphasis was the relationship between human figures and the passage of time. Second, working with figures on white backgrounds focused on each figure’s visual characteristics. Last, addressing elements of abstraction helped to control the mood of each piece. In terms of subject matter, everyday activities were the focus of the project. Every day we subject ourselves to routine behaviors, to which we eventually become desensitized. In this creative work these mundane activities are addressed in order to uncover unique qualities in the visual environments that often are overlooked. A variety of techniques derived from traditional processes were developed to explore these concepts, including embedding, paint carving, and encasing. An exploration of common imagery utilizing photography, along with visual references from various artists, were used to inform the processes developed for this project.Department of ArtThesis (M.A.