Institute for Access Studies, Staffordshire UNIVERSITY
PhD Scholarship
The research project is provisionally entitled "Assessing the impact of
community-learning: the role of communication", and will utilise
participatory research methods with local communities.
The scholarship is provided by BT and includes fees, access to Institute
resources and an annual bursary of £8,000 for up to 3 years.
The supervisory team is led by Dr Liz Thomas, Institute for Access Studies,
Staffordshire University, and supported by a second supervisor from
Staffordshire University and an advisor nominated by BT.
Background
Participation in learning can be seen to contribute to the social cohesion
of communities. Central to notions of social cohesion and an inclusive
learning community is the need for effective communication within and
between all levels of the community and with external groups and
institutions. Effective communication enhances the development of
individual and community learning, and promotes community ownership of the
learning experience, including the use of latent knowledge and skills.
Attempts to create an inclusive learning community can also be improved by
developing a participative evaluation strategy, based on effective
communication to encourage on-going learning. The proposed research is
centred on a partnership between British Telecom and pre-specified
communities in North Staffordshire.
Aims
This PhD Studentship provides the opportunity to explore the concept of an
"inclusive learning community" and to assess the development of effective
communication skills, through community-directed learning and participative
evaluation methodologies. Furthermore, the research will critically assess
partnerships between business and communities in achieving these ends.
The Institute for Access Studies
The Institute for Access Studies is a leading research centre in the field
of widening participation to post-compulsory education and lifelong for
non-traditional students. Current research contracts with the Higher
Education Funding Council for England, Universities UK and the European
Access Network. In addition to academic and applied research, we publish
the international Journal Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning and
organise national conferences and regional seminars.
For further details please contact Dr Liz Thomas at the Institute for Access
Studies. [log in to unmask] or tel: 01782 295741
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