Law professor appointed to UK independent quality body for higher education

Northumbria University’s Professor Chris Ashford has been appointed to lead a national review of the nature of studying law and the standards that can be expected of graduates.

Professor Ashford, from Northumbria Law School, will be among fellow academics chosen from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) member institutions across the UK to lead the review of 13 Subject Benchmark Statements in 2021-22. The Benchmark Statements show what graduates might reasonably be expected to know, do and understand at the end of their studies.

Professor Ashford commented: “It is an enormous privilege to lead this important review, which comes at a key moment for Law Schools given recent regulatory changes in relation to professional legal qualification and the broader changes in society reflecting technological change, the growing importance and complexity of sustainability, employability, and the equality, diversity, and inclusivity agendas.”

The QAA safeguards standards and improves the quality of UK higher education wherever it is delivered around the world. It aims to ensure students receive the higher education they are entitled to expect, and it has appointed new Chairs and Deputy Chairs to lead the review of 13 Subject Benchmark Statements in 2021-22. Their appointment follows an expression of interest phase earlier this year, and successful appointees have been drawn from QAA Member institutions across the UK.