Simon’s journey into transforming higher education began with a deeply personal realization. As a father watching his children navigate their university years, Simon was struck by a glaring issue. “There was a lack of consistent, caring support for my children during their university days,” he reflects. This observation wasn’t just a passing concern; it became the catalyst for a mission that would shape his professional life.
The inconsistencies Simon noticed weren’t limited to student support. He saw a stark contrast in teaching quality, with his children experiencing everything from excellent educators to those who were clearly struggling. “My children experienced a frustrating lack of consistent teaching provision during their studies. They felt overwhelmed by the variability in teaching standards, oscillating between excellent educators and those who were clearly out of their depth,” he recounts.
These personal experiences resonated deeply with Simon’s professional insights. After spending 25 years in the private sector, he had transitioned to higher education with a desire to make a positive impact. His work with the Higher Education Academy had opened his eyes to systemic issues in the sector. “Working with the Higher Education Academy felt altruistic; I was finally contributing to something positive rather than being driven solely by financial goals,” he shares.
The inception of OneHE came from a pivotal moment of realization. As Simon grappled with the challenges he saw in higher education, he came to understand that waiting for systemic change wasn’t enough. “The pivotal moment came when I realized that if we wanted to see real improvement in higher education, we had to take action ourselves,” Simon recalls. “That was our catalyst—we understood that to truly make a difference, we needed to create a platform that could directly support educators.”
This determination led to the vision of a community where educators could come together, share experiences, and learn from one another. Simon and his co-founders saw an opportunity to build something that could address the gaps they had observed in the sector, providing the kind of support that they wished had been available earlier in their careers.
Simon’s vision for OneHE was shaped by his commitment to making a tangible difference in educators’ lives. He wanted to create a platform that wasn’t just about sharing ideas, but about providing practical, actionable support. “Our original concept revolved around building a community. But we soon realized that this was flawed; there was nothing ‘sticky’ about just chatting without actionable content,” Simon explains. This insight led to the development of OneHE’s micro-learning approach, delivering bite-sized, practical guidance that educators could apply immediately in their teaching environments.
As OneHE evolved, Simon’s passion for supporting educators only grew stronger. He saw the platform as a way to address the gaps he had observed both as a parent and as a professional in the sector. “We now have around 350 pieces of content that provide practical advice and foster community discussions, bridging the gap between theory and practice,” Simon elaborates, pride evident in his voice.
Looking to the future, Simon envisions OneHE playing a significant role in shaping educational support, particularly for those who often receive the least support. “I hope institutions engage with us to enhance their professional development offerings, especially for adjunct faculty and GTAs, who make up a substantial part of the workforce. Our goal is to build their confidence and help them reconnect with their passion for teaching,” he explains.
For Simon, the journey with OneHE is deeply personal. It’s about creating the support system he wished had been there for his children and for the countless educators striving to make a difference. His vision extends beyond just creating a successful platform; it’s about transforming the landscape of higher education to be more supportive, consistent, and empowering for all involved.