Lessons in higher education Following the publication of a major independent review of pay and conditions in universities in June 1999, a vigorous debate has been going on between unions and employers' groups about the future of employment for both academic and support staff. Our overview looks at the key personnel issues in higher education. We question leading union and employer representatives about the major problems and how they might be resolved. We also ask a personnel manager at the UK's largest higher education institution to assess the state of play at the sharp end.