Understanding the evaluation of outreach with under-16s from disadvantaged backgrounds
Researchers
Professor Colin McCaig and Ruth Squire (doctoral student)
Partner organisations
A four-institution consortium led by University of the West of England and including University of Derby and University of Sheffield.
Project date
2017-2018
Mapping institutions' HE outreach and access activities
In this project, Sheffield Hallam University conducted a research work package involving a desk analysis of all current HEI Access Agreements to map the range of outreach and access activities undertaken among the pre-16 population, including institutions' rationales, expected outcomes and evaluation plans. Analysing both the narrative and planning sections of access agreements (e.g. from monitoring returns) will help provide an initial context for the project and to identify possible contacts for the other work packages.
The wider project will produce a set of useable tools and frameworks for the better evaluation of outreach with the under-16 school cohort and help develop the evaluation skills of outreach practitioners in the HE sector.
Funder
OFFA - Office for Fair Access (now the Office for Students)