A selection of Martin's recent speeches and statements, including conference appearances and university events
London School of Economics Public Lecture: Reimagining Education
Queen Mary University Drapers Lecture
Dr Yvonne Barbara Perret Distinguished Lecture
On October 18 Martin Bean delivered the 2012 Dr Yvonne Barbara Perret Distinguished Lecture entitled 'Looking at Education and the World in New Ways'. Watch the video here.
VC wraps up Conference Season
Martin Bean has wrapped up a busy Party Conference Season by reiterating the message that education is the key to getting Britain’s economy growing again. Speaking to senior figures from the three main political parties he stressed the need for employers and employees to up-skill and re-skill to face the challenges of the 21st century.
At the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton the Vice-Chancellor debated the role of Higher Education with Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable (pictured) and an audience of senior figures from the worlds of business and education at an event hosted by CentreForum. Read more in this Guardian article.
At the Labour conference in Manchester, he joined Shadow Higher Education Minister Shabana Mahmood and former Secretary of State for Education Lord Adonis in a roundtable hosted by Progress. And at the Conservative conference in Birmingham, he spoke alongside Education Minister Liz Truss at a fringe event organised by the Centre for Social Justice. Read the VC’s comments in full.
Trade mission to Brazil
Martin Bean was part of a 58-strong delegation on a trade mission lead by David Cameron to Brazil in September. The Prime Minister led a trade mission to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, accompanied by Universities and Science Minister David Willetts. One of the largest business delegations also made the trip, with 58 companies from the energy, education and science sectors, and a large global sports delegation travelling with the PM.
Great expectations: keynote speech at HEA Conference 2012
Martin Bean, VC of the OU, provided the first key note of the conference. He titled his presentation ‘Great expectations, not a choice but a reality’ was the title of a keynote speech delivered by Martin Bean at the HEA Conference 2012, held in Manchester, in which he argued that one of the great opportunities of technology is to enable relevant, engaged, personalised learning with the focus on good teaching. You can watch the speech here.
VC shares vision for new higher education landscape with NUS
Key impacts for students and their union in a new university landscape was the focus for a plenary by Martin Bean, delivered to the NUS at their influential Strategic Conversation 2012 event in January. Described by the NUS as 'inspirational' and visionary. Watch the speech here.
Giving evidence on widening access
Martin Bean gave oral evidence at the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee as part of its Inquiry into the Future of Higher Education. The committee will consider the impact of the proposed reforms in higher education on widening participation, including access to the most selective universities, how to raise aspirations, and ensuring that the UK has the skills it needs to compete globally. Watch a video of the session here.
