Research
Publications

We produce research publications on topics related to university access and outreach. Our publications include research reports about our own programme evaluations, as well as thematic case studies and rapid reviews about wider issues and key topics impacting the university access sector.

Impact in Focus: Teacher Professional Development through Uni Pathways

Teacher Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is well established as an important mechanism for improving pupil outcomes and helping teachers increase their impact as education practitioners.

This In Focus briefing explores how delivering Uni Pathways, a university access and revision intervention, has supported Researchers in Schools participants’ professional development and helped them develop their teaching practice in key areas.

Impact in Focus: Women in STEM

The challenge of getting more young women to choose STEM subjects (in particular maths and physics) at A Level, degree and for their careers is well documented but persistent.

Our Impact in Focus report explores why there is a lack of female representation in STEM and how teachers can help to break down these barriers, using our Researchers in Schools programme as an example.

Rapid Review: Digital inclusion

The internet became an educational lifeline for children across the UK while schools were closed and other in-person educational programmes are put on hold.

Unfortunately, not all children have the same access to online education. Our rapid review outlines six key challenges to overcome in order to reduce the digital inclusion gap and offers practical suggestions for how schools and other education providers can support pupils to access and gain the most out of online learning.

Rapid Review: Top tips for online delivery

As online learning becomes a priority for many people, there is an increasing body of scholarship on the subject. Our rapid review brings together top tips for online delivery and is helpful for anyone adapting their teaching to a virtual environment.

Research Publications: Impact Case Studies

Using quantitative and qualitative evidence about the pupils and PhD researchers in our programmes, this growing selection of thematic case studies details how The Brilliant Club addresses the widening participation challenge. Based on research from the academic literature, the first tranche of case studies will explore how the impact of access interventions can be realistically measured, the reach of access interventions to rural and coastal schools, and how access interventions can support attainment. 

We think the case studies are of particular interest to widening participation practitioners, policy makers and advocates who want to gain an insight into current issues relating to policy, practice and research in this area, as well as schools and universities who are interested in taking part in our programmes. 

Research Engagement

Transforming PhD graduates into research-engaged teachers

Come for the mission

Stay for the skills: Six lessons from linking researcher development and fair access

Barriers to access

Five lessons for creating effective school-university partnerships

Access through national collaboration

Mobilising the PhD community to support university readiness with schools in Wales (Welsh Version/Cymraeg)

Access through national collaboration

Mobilising the PhD community to support university readiness with schools in Wales (English version)

Raising the bar

Driving attainment to increase university access

Family matters

Engaging parents in university access

Going the distance

Improving university access in rural and coastal areas

Starting young

Improving university access through early in-school interventions

‘Does this really work?’

Tracking the impact of In-school interventions with the Impact Toolkit

Research Reports

The research reports look at specific ways in which we have tried to improve and evaluate the impact of our programmes, including what we have learnt and the translation of research and evaluation into wider practice.

Research Report

More one-on-one time: Testing the feasibility and impact of an additional feedback tutorial

Research Report

Protocol for Internal Research Projects

Research Report

Assessing pupils' academic writing skills using a standardised mark scheme

Contact Details

Dr Lauren Bellaera (Research and Impact Director) can provide further information on the charity’s research publications. We are also available to speak at conferences.