This research project aims to examine the agenda-setting dynamics surrounding higher education funding policy reforms in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The project will involve a comparative assessment of social media communication of politicians and parties’ policy preferences to identify the factors that shape the political agenda on higher education funding policy. Using quantitative text analysis methods, the project will uncover relevant topics related to higher education policy discussed on Twitter and the overall impact of economic crisis on higher education policy saliency.