FACE 2010 - 'Which way now to widen participation? Lifelong learning, Economy & Society'

Southampton Solent University hosted the 2010 FACE Annual Conference held in partnership with Action on Access, Aimhigher Hampshire and Isle of Wight, NADE and ESCalate. John Storan in his welcome address explained the title of this year's conference - ' it came about as a result of a discussion at the FACE Executive Committee where we recognised that so much of the work done to widen participation to learning opportunities in HE and elsewhere felt as if it was reaching a crossroads, and that there was increasing uncertainty in relation to funding, national policy, research findings and so on. The outcome of this discussion was to see the conference as a major opportunity to address these and other issues, and do this in ways that would open open up the debate and hence the references in the title to society, economy and lifelong learning'.

The conference was particularly 'sharp' with inputs from national leaders involved in funding ( HEFCE) and Government Departments (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills). Workshops included contributors from universities, colleges and practitioners from all over the world and this year included a group of students from the USA (University of New Hampshire).

ESCalate is delighted to have sponsored a student by way of a bursary placement at this year's event. Emma Jackson is a PhD student at the University of Worcester. Her PhD research is concerned with an Evaluation of a Cognitive Behavioural Intervention (Think Smart) aimed at encouraging young people to engage in Higher Education. The PhD aims to evaluate through qualitative and quantitative methods ‘Think Smart’ an Aimhigher Herefordshire and Worcestershire program. ‘Think Smart’ is a program for Year 9 pupils to improve self-esteem and motivation. Look out for a conrtibution by Emma in a forthcoming ESCalate Newsletter.



Keynote speakers included Sarah Howls, Head of WP at HEFCE who presented a well-illustrated overview of 'distance travelled' and answered challenging questions from the FACE audience in the context of equally challenging times for HE and the WP agenda. Pat Bacon, AoC President and Principal of St Helens College delivered an upbeat presentation from the HE in FE perspective.

Workshop sessions covered a wide territory and included..
the impact of Aimhigher on the institutional culture of schools in England, dissolving the barriers to access and success in post-secondary education in a small-island developing nation (the Marshall Islands), widening access in disadvantaged communities in the west of Scotland, using life histories as indicators of lifelong learning in South Africa and a rich programme of presentations and discussions from around the UK representing a range of communities and stakeholders. A real joy of the annual FACE conference is the diversity of its speakers and delegates who communicate so well together to bring a united perspective to what is a truly global agenda - fair and equal access to educational opportunity. In uncertain times and particularly when financial resources are tight it is vital that this agenda is not sidelined or neglected.

It was good to see non-UK based students represented at the conference which presents an opportunity to have an international comparative set of conversations around questions of common interest. A paper session heard from two groups of PG students - one from the UK and one from the University of New Hampshire. 'The McNair' programme is designed to recognise students throughout the US as dedicated individuals who have taken extra steps in preparing themselves for the graduate and doctoral experience - an insight into two quite different perspectives on the PG student experience.

Evening entertainment enjoyed by delegates included a 'casino' played with 'pretend money' with a bottle of bubbly for whoever 'broke the bank' and during the gala dinner two quite amazing magicians who impressed everyone by an array of illusions and outstanding conjuring!

We look forward to FACE 2011 which will be held 29th June - 1st July 2011 at the University of Glasgow. For further details contact cradall@educ.gla.ac.uk