University sector must take the lead to rebuild trust and renew public purpose

Published today, Shared institutions: Perspectives on the role of universities in national and local life, led by the UCL Policy Lab think-tank, brings together insights from senior figures from universities, politics and civil society.

It examines the challenges facing the Higher Education sector and questions why universities’ value is increasingly questioned by the public and politicians, despite their central role in education, research, economic growth and public debate. The report concludes that the university sector should rise to the challenges it faces and take a proactive approach to deliver the change and new renewal required.

Reflecting on the report, Professor Marc Stears (Director, UCL Policy Lab) said: “Drawn from deep conversations with both the friends and the critics of universities, this vital paper outlines the challenges and opportunities facing British higher education today. There is much to debate and argue about here, but the fundamental future for our sector is clear: if universities can demonstrate their deep commitment to serving broader society they will thrive; if they cannot they will struggle.”

The new report draws on discussions conducted in workshops and interviews following the publication of the team’s Shared Institutions: The public’s view on the role of universities in national and local life, published in October 2025.

It highlights three overlapping challenges shaping the political climate around higher education:

• universities are not seen to serve working class communities
• universities are not seen to deliver value for students
• universities are not seen as being a political or government priority

While identifying that the research excellence of UK universities and their success in attracting international students are important strengths, it also outlines a disconnect between how university leaders see the purpose and values of universities and how the public sees them persists.

Conversations highlighted that, at present, British universities are not seen to be delivering on the wider issues facing society. Contributors felt that universities do not play a strong enough role in teaching the skills required for the modern labour market and the argument that research and innovation drive economic growth was not universally accepted.

It outlines a growing sentiment that universities must embrace change to thrive and gain traction with the public and politicians. The report argues that the sector itself should set the direction of change, an approach that would enable them to preserve their institutional autonomy while navigating complex change.

Claire Ainsley (Director, Centre Left Renewal Project at the Progressive Policy Institute) who contributed to the report, said: “Universities remain one of the best engines to power individual achievement and Britain’s economic and cultural success, at home and abroad. But as the report shows, the value of universities is being questioned. It makes a strong case for institutional reform so that higher education can better serve the national interest.”

The report concludes that there is a case for optimism: that universities can step up to meet these challenges and show the change that is needed.

UCL’s President and Provost, Dr Michael Spence concluded that: “In recent years there has been a deterioration in the social licence to operate of UK universities. The value for money of the domestic undergraduate fee is no longer taken for granted, the great benefit brought to the UK by international students is less often acknowledged and the core role of university research in an innovative economy is not widely understood; all while the essential role of universities in providing a forum for debate is more often questioned. If we are to rebuild trust among the public and political leaders, it is critical that we do not shy away from addressing these issues.”

For more information or to speak to the researchers involved, please contact Sophie Hunter, UCL Media Relations. T: +44 7502505610 E: sophie.hunter@ucl.ac.uk.

Shared institutions: Perspectives on the role of universities in national and local life is a report produced by UCL Policy Lab, with UCL Public Affairs, based on workshops and interviews held in 2025.

The report builds on earlier research into public attitudes to universities conducted by UCL Policy Lab and More in Common.