1. John Rushforth Director: Widening Participation Protecting Mathematics in Higher Education

2. Strategically important subjects identified by the Secretary of State Science, technology, engineering and mathematics Arabic and Turkish language studies and other Middle Eastern area studies, former Soviet Union Caucasus and central Asian area studies Japanese, Chinese, Mandarin and other far eastern languages and area studies Vocationally oriented courses of particular interest to employers in industries that are of growing importance to the UK economy; for example, the cultural and creative industries, and e-skills. Courses relating to recent EU accession countries, especially those in Eastern Europe and the Baltic

3. What are strategically important subjects? Subjects acknowledged as strategic on grounds of wealth creation; and those important on diplomatic, international relations or cultural grounds Currently vulnerable in relation to national capacity and/ or regional availability May be identified at the national or the regional level (these will not necessarily be the same)

4. What has HEFCE done to protect subjects? Minority subjects (for subjects with < 100 FTE UK- wide) Non-formula funding schemes for former Soviet and East European Studies Chinese Studies Restructuring and Collaboration Fund/Strategic Development Fund to support subject area restructuring Institutional premia for small institutions with a narrow range of subject provision

5. Ground rules for future HEFCE intervention Funding body without planning powers Working in a market environment Must understand the nature of the problem Working in collaboration with other agencies Must look holistically Evidence based

6. What could we do Strategic Development Funding Additional Student Numbers –Realignment –Innovation Teaching Funding Review Aimhigher (eg. Royal Society of Chemistry)

7. What could we do? (2) Centres of Excellence in Teaching and Learning Higher Education Academy Lifelong learning networks Work with RDA and SSCs OU

8. The Next Steps Report from the strategically important subjects advisory group Developing a strategic approach in partnership with the sector and other agencies Build a strategic approach in partnership with subject communities CSR