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This is the September 2009 eBulletin from FACE (the Forum for Access and Continuing Education), offered to practitioners, policy-makers, researchers and others with an interest in access, widening participation and lifelong learning. The eBulletin is sent to colleagues in the sector, members and non-members alike. If you would prefer not to receive it, please contact Jim at James.Tate@uwe.ac.uk and your details will be removed from the circulation list.
Host universities agreed for the annual FACE Conference for the next 3 years !
Yes, we really do have three years worth of conferences agreed this far ahead of time. Sincere thanks to the three host institutions for their support and interest in running these conferences in partnership with FACE.
2010 |
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| 2011 Dates - 29th June to 1st July 2011 Venue - Glasgow Hosts - University of Glasgow |
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| 2012 Dates - to be confirmed Venue - Cambridge Hosts - Anglia Ruskin University |
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It is really excellent news that FACE now has annual conference hosts for all three conferences for 2010, 2011 and 2012. We are really grateful to all the universities that have talked to us about hosting the conference and it is a fantastic tribute to FACE as a network and the highly successful conference programme we have run for the last 16 years that we now have this level of interest in our annual conference as the premier networking event for all involved with access to HE and lifelong learning opportunities.
Mindful of ensuring that the conference goes to a different area of the UK each year was a part of the reason we will be in Southampton in 2010, Glasgow in 2011 and Cambridge in 2012. If you would like to talk to us about working with FACE to run a seminar or a day conference we would be happy to hear from you.
Face to Face Issue 32
Coming to an Inbox near you soon!
The next issue of Face to Face is currently at the copy editors and will be winging its way to member’s inboxes late September or early October. In this edition we have articles on the Children’s University, The Impact of Compact and how Chicago is helping shape national policy in the USA. We have a paper from our sister organisation in the US (NADE) and a review of this years FACE conference. Please remember this e-journal is only available to members.
Learning Through Life report launched
Many FACE members and their institutions and organisations contributed directly or indirectly to this report based as it is on the work of a commission supported by NIACE which took evidence over an extended period on all aspects of lifelong learning. The publication of the report is to be warmly welcomed as it sets out the most comprehensive and compelling evidence informed analysis of the need for a truly lifelong learning approach to the planning, funding and provision of learning opportunities both lifelong and life wide for the next decade and beyond. Many of the arguments and much of the analysis will be familiar to FACE members as the report builds on and supports much of the work which FACE has undertaken over recent years in relation, for example, to access, full participation and challenging education exclusion, to mention just three areas.
On the divisive impact that much educational and indeed social policy has had on different groups of learners, the report argues:
“The present system is heavily front-loaded, favouring the young and already advantaged. This leaves too many people under-equipped to deal with the accelerating health, social, technological and economic changes all adults face as we go through the different stages of our lives.”
Looking at the broad lifetime challenges that confront adult learners, the report states:
“As life patterns become more complex and less predictable with increased job changes, greater geographical and social mobility and more frequent family changes, adults need ever greater skills and knowledge to remain successful, fulfilled and independent.”
On the so-called demographic time bomb, the reports argues:
“A rapidly ageing and dependent population will lead to a steep rise in the numbers of people who are socially and economically excluded, unless they can gain greater skills to control and give quality to their own lives. Failure to tackle these issues will waste talent and create an ever greater health and welfare burden on families and the taxpayer.”
Timing is everything when trying to get the attention of policymakers, both present and future, and therefore the fact that this report appears when it does in the run up to the election and in party conference season may help to optimise its impact on the thinking of the main political parties, and not before time in my view. The signs are promising with endorsements for the report from representatives of all three main parties. So let’s all keep a close eye on the various party manifestos and commitments to see how much of the report makes it in.
Copies of the report are available through the NIACE website at www.niace.org.uk
John Storan, FACE Chair
j.storan@uel.ac.uk
Some Other Events
CRADALL SEMINAR
Friday 9th October 2009, 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm
Faculty of Education, University of Glasgow
"Regulatory Quality and Higher Education: What is the connection?" presented by Professor Josef Konvitz, Head of Division, Regulatory Policy, OECD
Download a Word document with details of this event
To register for the seminar contact Steven Campbell at steven.campbell@educ.gla.ac.uk
Research Conference, Promoting Equity in Higher Education
27th and 28th January 2010
This two-day residential research conference provides an opportunity for colleagues to take stock of, and engage with, equity research five years after the HEFCE-commissioned Barriers Review was initiated. The wide-ranging review of widening participation research was critical about both the quality and scope of much equity-related research. It also noted the lack of evidence about the effectiveness and impact of work in this area. Equity is taken to mean the access, participation and experience of diverse students in higher education, including institutional anticipation and response to diversity. In short, we are connecting the areas of widening participation and equality and diversity. The conference is organised by the HE Academy, as part of its EvidenceNet service.
Call for Contributions
Contributions for the following types of conference sessionsare sought – a paper; poster or workshop. The email address for submissions is inclusion@heacademy.ac.uk.
The deadline for submitting an abstract is Wednesday 14th October 2009.
Further information about the conference and submission of abstracts is available online.
Retention Convention - What works? Student Retention and Success
3rd and 4th March 2010
This Retention Convention aims to identify research to help answer the question ‘what works’ in relation to student retention and success. It further aims to promote theory and research evidence in this area. The convention is jointly organised by the Higher Education Academy and Action on Access, and will draw on the Student Retention and Success Programme funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the HEFCE. The seven projects involved in the programme will be represented.
Call for Contributions
Conference contributions are sought for the following types of session in the convention – a paper; symposium/panel; special interest group; workshop or poster. The email address for submissions is inclusion@heacademy.ac.uk.
Deadline for submission of abstracts is Thursday 17th December 2009.
Further information about the conference and submission of abstracts is available online.
What else is in the News?
For the latest UK Education headlines and stories go to the FACE News Feeds page where you'll find the online news feeds of several of the sources listed below gathered together on one page for easy access.
The Guardian http://education.guardian.co.uk
The Independent http://news.independent.co.uk/education
The BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/default.stm
The Times http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education
The Times Higher Education http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk
DCSF News Centre http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/newslist.cgi
LSC News http://www.lsc.gov.uk/News
If you wish to respond to anything in this eBulletin or contribute to the October 2009 issue, please email Jim at James.Tate@uwe.ac.uk