February 2008/10 (web only)
Policy development
Statement of policy
This document is for information
HEFCE widening participation and fair access research strategy
2008 update
This document sets out our plans for a programme of research and evaluation which will inform and support the policies we have developed to promote and provide the opportunity of successful participation in higher education to everyone who can benefit from it. It is an update of HEFCE 2004/34.
| To: |
Heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions Heads of further education colleges Heads of universities in Northern Ireland Selected national bodies |
|---|---|
| Of interest to those responsible for: | Widening participation, Strategic planning, Research |
| Reference: | 2008/10 |
| Publication date: | February 2008 |
| Enquiries to: | Katie Germer tel 0117 931 7386 e-mail k.germer@hefce.ac.uk |
Executive summary (read online)
Executive summary
Purpose
1. This document sets out our plans for a programme of research and evaluation which will inform and support the policies developed to promote and provide the opportunity to participate successfully in higher education (HE) to everyone who can benefit from it.
Key points
2. As with our previous research strategy (HEFCE 2004/34), we aim in particular to:
- consider our medium- and long-term research priorities, as well as short-term or current work
- improve the quality of research we use
- improve our ability to take account of external research (research which we do not commission), and to link up with other bodies with research interests in widening participation (WP).
3. The strategy comprises three strands of work which will provide us with a much deeper understanding of the multi-level factors that affect participation in HE:
- Strand 1 - Through this strand we will investigate some of the wider socio-cultural issues relating to widening participation. In this strand we have tried to capture the broad areas of interest for us in developing widening participation policy, rather than indicating specific projects.
- Strand 2 - The second strand of our strategy will focus on the HE sector, and will look to gather evidence on issues facing the sector as a whole.
- Strand 3 - The third strand will concentrate on gathering evidence of practice and impact at institutional/Aimhigher partnership level.
Action required
4. This report is for information only.