The third degree

Back page gossip from the 29 March issue of Research Fortnight

Pothole filler 

On 13 March, Research Professional News brought you the revelation—based on Freedom of Information requests—that since becoming chair of the Office for Students in February 2021, Conservative peer James Wharton has only visited five universities. His predecessor, Michael Barber, told a Lords select committee recently that he had toured “roughly 40” universities throughout his three years in the role, during one of which campuses were mostly closed due to Covid.