On Tuesday 3 November, the Courtauld hosted policymakers, sector leaders, industry partners, alumni, students, and artists at the Courtauld Gallery for ‘Excellence in Action’, an evening celebrating the impact of England’s world-leading specialist institutions.
The event was hosted in partnership with Universities UK (UUK) and brought together specialist institutions working across the creative industries, design, health professions, science and technology.
The focus of the evening was on the contribution these institutions make to the UK’s skills, research, culture and international standing. Guests heard from Lord Browne, Tim Davie, Vivienne Stern CBE, alongside recent alumni who have been shaped by specialist higher education and discussed how these institutions can continue to support innovation, opportunity, and growth.
World-leading specialist institutions provide education, skills and research across sectors including the creative industries, health, business, agriculture, and veterinary science. Much of their teaching is practice-based, taking place in research, clinical, technical and professional environments.
Many of these institutions are recognised as global leaders in their specialist fields. Their international standing, alumni networks and collaborations help the UK attract talent and investment, and extend UK influence through internationally recognised expertise, research and leadership.
Strategic Priorities Grant funding, which includes world-leading specialist funding, has fallen by 42% in real terms since 2015-16. Because student numbers have grown, per-student funding rates are down 59%. The evening was a timely reminder of why these specialist institutions are so vital for the UK’s economy and cultural life. Guests included artists Sir Antony Gormley CH OBE RA, Dame Rachel Whiteread, Jeremy Deller and Elizabeth Price RCA, alongside Kate Taylor Tett. Director GREAT campaign; Liz Hutchinson, Chief Executive Officer at London Higher and representatives from specialist institutions including Royal College of Art, University of Creative Arts and SOAS University of London.
Professor Mark Hallett, Märit Rausing Director, Courtauld, said: “We were delighted to have hosted this event alongside Universities UK, an opportunity to both celebrate and advocate for England’s world-leading specialist institutes as critical drivers of economic, reputational, and cultural impact for the UK.”
