There were grumblings at the first annual conference of the Higher Education Acad-emy in Edinburgh last week. The loudest came from stomachs. As if it wasn't punishing enough spending three days discussing the ins and outs of teaching and learning, some delegates went hungry because coaches ferrying them to the evening entertainment arrived before they reached the front of the food queue. Excitingly, several leather-clad biker policemen arrived at one point. Had they been enlisted in case there was a scuffle between the female academics in the bus queue? To ensure a happy ship next time, the academy might like to note that some speakers were rather miffed that they had to pay to attend the conference.
Ordinarily, presenters receive a small gift but there were no party bags in evidence.