Lifelong Learning and the New Agenda for Widening Participation
UALL Widening Participation and Social Inclusion Network
Convenor: Annette Hayton, Head of Widening Participation, Goldsmiths University
of London
Lifelong Learning and the New Agenda
for
Widening Participation
Goldsmiths, University of London,
Tuesday 16February
2010
Keynote speaker: Professor Penny Burke, Roehampton
University
For several years national widening
participation strategies have been largely focussed
on the 14-19 age
group. Demographic changes, the economic situation and concerns about workforce
development have now generated a renewed interest in engaging adult learners.
'Higher Ambitions' the recent government strategy for universities, has pledged
to 'widen participation through the expansion of the number of adults at
university'. This has already been reflected in shifting HEFCE priorities for
widening participation with universities urged to ensure that their strategies
include measures to encourage adults to return to study.
However, realising
this ambition will
be challenging. Most adult learners have financial, family and community
responsibilities which they need to manage alongside their studies, often
resulting in considerable pressure on individuals and their families. For those
from backgrounds without a cultural tradition of further or higher education
the pressures are even greater. On entering the labour
market many will face gender, 'race' and class discrimination, as highlighted
in the Milburn report on fair access to the professions 'Unleashing Aspiration'
This session will give participants the
opportunity to explore some of the wider cultural and economic issues and also
consider strategies for engaging adult learners, asking the following
questions:
What are the barriers for adults returning to university study in
the current climate?
What sort of provision should we develop to meet the needs of adult
learners?
How do we develop teaching and learning strategies to engage adult
learners?
Are the needs of learners compatible with the current economic
imperatives?
1.30 Sandwich Lunch
2.00 Lifelong Learning and the New Agenda for Widening Participation
Professor Penny Jane
Burke
2.45 Workshop Groups
3.30 Panel and Discussion: Chair Annette Hayton, Goldsmiths
Professor Marj Mayo,
Goldsmiths. Professor Penny Jane Burke, Roehampton
