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Frank Furedi's anxiety that "whenever politicians decide to expand the definition of a university, the quality of academic education deteriorates" is reminiscent of the alarm of propertied men about expanding democracy to women and men without property. Teaching in higher education cannot be "conducted in isolation from research", yet Furedi appears to deny the vast body of research informing effective teaching and learning in the sector. Learning how to teach contributes crucially to ensuring "the quality of academic education".

Kristine Mason O'Connor
Co-chair, Staff and Educational Development Association