Communities research and widening participation

We are exploring opportunities to embed the widening participation activity of higher education institutions (HEIs) in local communities and their existing educational structures. This work looks towards new partnerships between schools, local authorities, further education, higher education (HE), business and young people, their families and the wider community.

Communities research

We funded studies into constituencies selected on the basis of low levels of young participation in HE in urban, rural and coastal areas. Known as the 'Communities Research', the studies aimed to:

provide all parties with a better understanding of the social, economic and cultural factors that might lie behind the low participation rates in each community, in order to establish what might be done to improve them
commit institutions to embedding strategic activity that would widen participation across the areas studied.

Collaborative, multi-institutional teams led the research in each area, including researchers from different disciplines and widening participation practitioners.

The studies focused on qualitative research, and the research teams developed methodologies that were appropriate for the communities in which they were working. Research included work with participants and non participants in HE.

Key issues for the research teams

Social class and the local economy.
The nature of schools and the appropriateness and attractiveness of post-16 provision.
The quality and impact of current advice and guidance available to young people.
Culture and tradition in local communities.
Current HE provision and opportunities.
Examples of good practice in reaching out and engaging young people from these communities in post-16 and HE provision.

Final reports

Progression to Post-16 Education and Training in Hastings
University of Brighton

Download the Progression to Post-16 Education and Training in Hastings as PDF (623 KB) | Download the Progression to Post-16 Education and Training in Hastings as MS Word (2,772 KB)

Progression to Post-16 and Higher Education in Inner South Leeds

Leeds Metropolitan University, University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University College

Higher Education and Communities: Barking & Dagenham (Adobe PDF)

University of East London

Communities and Widening Participation Research
University of Salford

Download the Communities and Widening Participation Research as PDF (884 KB) Download the Communities and Widening Participation Research as MS Word (1,894 KB)

Background - the 'four cities research'

In 2007, we published a series of reports on young participation in HE, more commonly referred to as the 'four cities research'. The four cities overview report and individual studies provide a rich and complex picture of the processes that underpin the low rates of participation of young people in HE from the four constituencies investigated.

The four cities research presented a case for HEIs to embed their support for widening participation directly within the educational provision of the local areas, and to promote situated forms of action, based on a sound understanding of local circumstances. The 'Communities Research' we funded aimed to explore in more detail the recommendations and opportunities suggested by the four cities research.

Sector impact assessment

In carrying out this research we formally assessed its impact on the HE sector in terms of regulatory burden, equality and diversity, and sustainable development.