Author name: Connor

Tame Your Advice Monster and Release Your Inner Coach The advice monsters I’m going to start by telling you a truth that you may be a little uncomfortable with… Your supportive and well-meaning advice might not be as useful, or even as welcome, as you think it is. Many of us pride ourselves on our […]

Why HE: the reasons those from under-represented backgrounds choose university-level study Context In a previous post, I considered the reasons level 3 students at a further education (FE) college in the English East Midlands gave for not wanting to pursue higher-level study (Raven, 2022a). Higher education (HE) progression from FE colleges has received an increasing

Keeping it personal: supporting under-represented groups to succeed in HE Our work with under-represented groups at the University of Hertfordshire is founded on a personalised, student-centred approach which recognises and responds to differential life experiences and challenges. We know that our student groups – including Care Leavers, Independent (Estranged) students, Young Adult Carers, and those

Fair Access and Participation to Critical Thinking ‘Critical thinking.’ Two significant buzzwords in the Higher and Further Education sector, but are we paying enough attention to them? Are we giving our students who may be new to the university system enough information on developing their critical thinking skills? Is it our place to do this?

Are universities doing enough to attract learners over the age of 60? At a recent university community open event I met a spritely octogenarian who was filled with curiosity about the new university that had just arrived on her doorstep. During the conversation she shared with me that she would have treasured the opportunely to

Lifelong learning…an alternative student? The advice monsters Nowadays the concept of a traditional student is changing, slowly. While the majority of students entering higher education are 18-19 in their first year and progressing straight from school, they come from more diverse backgrounds and may now have a different university experience, perhaps commuting to study or

Understanding Widening Participation in Northern Ireland The advice monsters At the end of October 2022 the Understanding Widening Participation in Northern Ireland (NI) report was published. Authored by CFE Research, the report, commissioned by the Department for the Economy reviews the progress that has been made towards achieving the vision that was set out in

FACE 2023 a time for energic, thoughtful reflection and collaboration Image By: Sincerely Media At the time of writing this the shortest serving Prime Minister in our history has just resigned from office, there has been a week of meetings to explore the yet further changes to Access and Participation Plans, the BBC has turned

Why not HE: the reasons those from under-represented backgrounds decide against university Image By: Sam Boyle Efforts to widen higher education access have tended to focus on the provision of information and support to those from under-represented backgrounds. This is perfectly understandable given the deep inequalities in HE progression rates that persist (GOV.UK. 2022a and