Student engagement does not work if institutions are stuck in survival mode

During challenging times, genuine student engagement often feels difficult, or impossible, to deliver. Jonathan Eaton and Helena Lim confront the dragon at the gates. The current state of UK higher education in 2025 is marked by an existential crisis, rather than merely a series of difficult challenges. This crisis comes from the inherent tension of attempting to operate a 20th century institutional model within the complex realities of the 21st century. This strain is exacerbated by complex socio-economic difficulties facing students, coupled with the immense pressures experienced by staff.