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The IOE is now undertaking an in-depth consultation exercise with its staff, students and other key stakeholders, and discussions have continued across a range of different forums within Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø.

The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Academic Board discussed the potential merger at its meeting in February, noting the extensive academic synergies between the two institutions and the potential for a number of major opportunities for cross-institutional initiatives.

In particular, the potential for collaboration on longitudinal cohort studies, the development of new teaching opportunities in social science and the potential benefits for the development of innovative teaching practice were highlighted.

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø President and Provost Professor Michael Arthur attended a staff consultation event for IOE staff recently, at which he discussed the values and principles of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø and their fit with those of the IOE.

He outlined how the proposed merger would be of academic benefit to both institutions, allowing critical mass and new cross-departmental groupings in education and social science, while significantly strengthening Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø's work in social science.

Questions raised by IOE staff focused on issues including joint global opportunities, online education, cross-disciplinarity, space and the role of the university in the 21st century.

The next major milestones in the merger process will occur in May when, on the assumption that the current negotiations proceed successfully, the IOE Council and Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Council will receive reports of the consultation activity and preliminary negotiations, and will be asked to make a decision to merge in principle (or otherwise) subject to due diligence.

The respective councils, subject to the outcome of due diligence and other reports, would then take a final decision on the potential merger in October.