Minister backs BA in 'favouritism' dispute

Article Abstract:

Government ministers have decided to take no action over allegations that the British Academy (BA), an elite academic institution, is guilty of "old boys' favouritism". The decision has resulted in the government being accused of allowing the BA to be "both judge and jury" over its accountability for millions of pounds worth of public money. Alan Johnson, higher education minister, stated that there was no need for the government to become involved in the case because the BA "is an independent body and is responsible for using its own academic judgement in making its awards". Johnson made the statement despite confirming that almost all of the academy's research funding is provided by the Department for Education and Skills through a UKPd13.3 mil annual grant.

Financial management, Finance, Company financing

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Academy 'misled' minister

Article Abstract:

The British Academy (BA) has been accused of misleading higher education minister Alan Johnson following the release of new material by the Times Higher Education Supplement on the way the society handled its UKPd2 mil centenary research competition. Documents released under the Data Protection Act suggest that at least one application was judged by the Academy using a different set of criteria to those published in its initial call for proposals. The discovery calls into questions assurance from the BA to Department for Education and Skills officials that "all applications were considered and assessed in relation to the same criteria, published at the outset".

Research grants, Research funding

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