The aim of the final period of the generic phase of TLRP to September 2009, was to synthesize and maximise the impact of research on post-compulsory education, including higher education and lifelong learning.

One focus has been the theme of social diversity and equality addressing questions about whether policies and practices have indeed widened access to, and participation within, diverse forms of higher education. Presentations and publications have been produced, and Improving Learning by Widening Participation is shortly to be published by Routledge in the Gateway series (September 2009). This book by Miriam David, draws on the suite of 7 Widening Participation projects, with contributions from Ann-Marie Bathmaker, Gill Crozier, Pauline Davis, Hubert Ertl, Alison Fuller, Geoff Hayward, Sue Heath, Chris Hockings, Gareth Parry, Diane Reay, Anna Vignoles and Julian Williams. It provides clear and comprehensive research evidence on the policies, processes and practices of widening or increasing participation in HE.

We have also focussed on forms of teaching and learning within post-compulsory and adult education to enhance learning opportunities and experiences across the life course. What kinds of pedagogies are most appropriate for different subjects and in diverse contexts?  How does informal learning contribute? We have produced two TLRP commentaries, namely Effective Learning and Teaching in UK Higher Education and Higher Skills Development at Work. Both of these commentaries have elaborated and enhanced the TLRP’s ten evidence-informed principles for effective pedagogies and practices from post-compulsory into higher education, and beyond into work. These commentaries drew upon all the post-compulsory and HE projects, including work-based and lifelong learning across over 60 UK HEIs (from Russell group, to 1994 group and Million plus universities) and numerous subjects and settings.

We have also worked with partners, namely the Higher Education Academy (HEA), its subject centres (including ESCalate, SWAP and CSap), the centres of excellence in teaching and learning (CETLs) and National Institute for Adult and Community Education (NIACE) to promote public engagement and knowledge exchange about TLRP research findings nationally. All of our research evidence that has been deposited in Dspace has also been linked electronically with the HEA’s new evidence-net, with the British Educational Index (BEI) and the Educational Evidence Portal (EEP) as well as through BERA and SRHE.

We hope this has demonstrated the importance of evidence-based policies and practices and will form the basis for capacity building for the future. The impact of TLRP’s research will continue beyond the closing of the generic phase of TLRP (at the end of September 2009), in the diverse forms of publications, presentations at international conferences and events. More importantly, we hope that it will continue to impact upon improving pedagogies, public policies and practices extending educational opportunities across the life course into the second decade of the 21st century.

Miriam David THES articles archive 1989-1993

Miriam David TLRP video

More on TLRP themes

Contact email: m.david@ioe.ac.uk

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