A series of presentations on spreading a culture of research ideas and their impacts, as well as themes and examples from the workshop. This practitioner-focused workshop took forward the work of the previous workshop, on “The practicalities of using research”, held in November 2015. Practitioners, leaders and intermediaries shared experiences about spreading a research culture more widely.
The presentations focus on unlocking a growth mindset for mathematics teaching in prison education; professionalism in FE; supporting outcomes of students by identifying areas of 'least learning' during session times; young people in care and disabled learners in FE and HE, and the barriers they face; the significance of 'professional dialogue' between leaders in FE, and others.
The workshop found several emerging messages from the contributions of participants. Several contributors implied that a distinctive culture is emerging for research and scholarship in the FE sector. Actual problems in practice, as well as interesting academic questions, need to drive research. Practitioners in colleges with supportive senior teams, described the importance of their backing in helping a culture of research develop. Other contributions however signalled the sense of agency that practitioners need to develop as an aspect of professionalism.