Bumper Thursday

Playbook rounds up the news on a hectic morning for higher education

Today, rather than your usual Playbook deep dive into a carefully chosen topic of contemporary relevance, we bring you a sort of Reader’s Digest of higher education news. It is no doubt coincidental, but in addition to all the late-breaking news affecting universities over the past 24 hours or so, there is also a smorgasbord of reports out today to feast on. We will cram in what we can.

Yesterday evening, prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed that England would move to Plan B in its battle against the coronavirus, meaning that masks are now required in most indoor public settings and people should work from home where possible. As restrictions tighten, universities will be relieved that teaching for the academic year is winding down (although masks have been recommended in higher education settings for more than a week now).