The role of higher education in Levelling Up: reforming or subverting the market?

August 5, 2022August 5, 2022 ~ sipsshu ~ Leave a comment

Why isn’t higher education seen as playing a role in levelling up? On first reading the Levelling Up the United Kingdom White Paper, there appears to be a 'higher education' sized gap in the middle of its argument, between where it talks about the need for more 'skills' (without specifying the levels of study required) and where it identifies the need to grow 'research and development clusters' in left behind areas. It manages to do this without reference to where highly qualified researchers are educated and choose to live, or the relationship between where those researchers live and where hi-tech companies choose to locate.

Lessons from the pandemic: autistic young people can thrive with a more flexible and autonomous education system

April 14, 2022 ~ sipsshu ~ Leave a comment

Our recent research project about autistic young people’s and families’ educational experiences during the pandemic has made two things evident: 1. Better educational experiences for autistic young people are possible 2. They are made possible through increasing flexibility in the system.

Covid-19 and the Battle for the Control of Teaching

June 4, 2020June 4, 2020 ~ sipsshu ~ Leave a comment

Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, there has been a strong wave of public support for key workers and this has included teachers; for example, they are explicitly mentioned on the front page of the clap for our carers website. However there are widely differing views about the crucial role of schools and teachers in enabling the economy to begin to return to something like normal. On one side the right wing press - and the Education Secretary - cleverly placed this as a call to the 'duty' of teachers, positioning 'hero' teachers in opposition to the teacher unions. On the other, many parents are concerned about the safety of schools for their children. Other UK nations - not to mention some English LAs - take the view that it is unsafe to open schools so soon, as we can see. Meanwhile, the Children's Commissioner argues that disadvantaged children need to return to school quickly.

Flouting the rules on Covid 19: Things the government could learn from schools about behaviour management

May 1, 2020 ~ sipsshu ~ Leave a comment

With ‘lockdown’ firmly in place, no-one can be in doubt about Government rules. However, only recently the BBC News reported anti-social behaviour being on the increase. There will be those who always misbehave, however, daily I see groups of, I'm sure, 'normally law-abiding citizens' gathered together, playing, or simply enjoying the sunshine. This is particularly concerning given the volume of media reminders.

SIPS Doctoral Poster Competition: A Student’s Perspective

May 15, 2019 ~ sipsshu ~ Leave a comment

BY RUTH SQUIRE, PHD CANDIDATE (SHEFFIELD INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION) On 10th April I joined ten other doctoral students in presenting a poster at the SIPS Doctoral Student Poster Competition. Now in its third year, the competition and associated event present an opportunity for PhD students across the University to showcase their research and receive feedback … Continue reading SIPS Doctoral Poster Competition: A Student’s Perspective