The aim of this series is to ground and contextualise discussions of widening participation, which can often be spoken of in largely abstract terms, in considerations of the local and micro practices of WP by focusing on two large and complex cities (Sheffield and London) and on Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland which face different challenges in relation to WP and to the idea of the ‘local’. The seminars will use WP and access-related research to draw attention to how WP practices at a local level shape and influence choice-making, access, progression and success and how, in turn, these inform issues of in/justice and in/equality.

The series will bring researchers and other academics together with practitioners from HE, FE, schools and local authorities departments to explore, amongst other areas:

• how ‘local’ is conceptualised and researched and how this shapes thinking and practice
• how connections are made across cities and regions and the strategies adopted to try and connect the local with the national
• the micro practices of WP and how these shape and are shaped by macro (national) and the meso (institutional) policies and practice
• what lessons can be learned for researching WP across cities or regions

This is a joint seminar series between the Society for Research into Higher Education, delivered as part of the Access and Widening Participation Network (conveners: Penny-Jane Burke and Jacqueline Stevenson) and the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning Widening Participation and Access Network (convener Annette Hayton).  Support is also being given by Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield.

Seminar 2:  February 24th: From the national to the local: the view from a city

The Studio, Sheffield Students Union, Sheffield University

This session will explore crucial elements of widening participation interventions by exploring the relationships between the school sector and higher education institutions. Two papers and one case study will be used to present different facets of this relationship at the national and local levels. The first part of the day examines the use of contextual data at the national level, and the practices and strategies of widening participation at the local level, contrasting London with other UK cities. The second part of the day brings together a local sixth form college manager and an HE outreach professional for a discussion of the challenges of collaborating across this sector divide.

Note: Unless otherwise stated SRHE events are free to members, there is a charge of £60 for non-members.