WIREDGOV

The University of Wolverhampton, in partnership with the Institute for Learning (IfL), has announced the creation of a research centre for further education and skills at the university’s School for Education Futures (SEF). Professor Denis Gleeson, emeritus professor of education at the University of Warwick and a distinguished researcher, author and teacher in further and higher education, has been appointed as the new professorial chair to lead the new Centre for Research and Development in Lifelong Education (CRADLE).

Through its collaboration with IfL, CRADLE will be an important hub and repository for policy and practitioner research and knowledge transfer for teachers, trainers and their practice in further education, with a distinctive focus on the early years of practice.

Professor Geoff Layer, vice-chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said, “We are very pleased to have a formal partnership with IfL, as we share its values and its commitment to teachers and trainers in FE and skills being trained and supported to be world-class professionals. IfL has a major role to play in the professional development and status of teachers in our colleges and training providers. CRADLE will build on the considerable success of our post-compulsory education department, which oversees the provision of initial teacher education and continuing professional development (CPD), and on our strong regional partnerships with FE colleges and providers in the West Midlands and beyond.”

Toni Fazaeli, chief executive of IfL, said, “The time is right for new action and a greater national commitment to research in further education. For too long, despite some outstanding contributions, we have lamented the relative paucity of university-led research focusing on FE, compared with schools and higher education. Learners and employers rightly expect the practice of teaching, training and learning to be based on sound and groundbreaking research and evidence, rivalling the very best in the world.

“We are delighted to be working in close partnership with the University of Wolverhampton to create the new centre, CRADLE, which will add to the university’s distinguished body of knowledge and research-based teaching and training practice. As one of the original ‘big four’ leading on initial teacher training for post-compulsory education, the university is a beacon in its strategic commitment to FE. Our joint working builds on and extends IfL’s existing and productive partnerships in further and higher education, for the benefit of excellence in teaching and training practice. The nation depends on truly expert teachers and trainers across FE and skills to boost the capacities, skills and intellectual capabilities of millions of young and adult learners every year.

“IfL members will help inform CRADLE’s priorities and benefit from new professional development opportunities. By working with the university, IfL will continue to help raise the status of teachers and trainers in FE and skills and empower them to engage with policy research and carry out their own work-based research and development projects.”

Dame Christine Braddock, principal of Birmingham Metropolitan College, said, “The University of Wolverhampton is located in the heart of the area that gave birth to the industrial revolution and continues to champion its very proud vocational tradition and strong commitment to vocational education, so it is very fitting that it should work with IfL to focus on more research to support teachers and trainers in further education and skills. We have been working closely with both institutions for some time as part of our commitment to supporting trainees and teachers in developing excellent teaching practice, and are very excited about the creation of this new research centre.”

CRADLE, which will be formally launched at an inaugural event in May, successfully attracted innovation funding from the university for three years, and will seek further investment for research.