Research
Our vision
LSIS research will ensure that the sector has access to evidence, generated by both commissioned research and practitioners themselves, that will support improvement in the further education sector so:
- every learner has an excellent learning experience;
- the reputation and quality of the sector is enhanced;
- the professional role of all those working in the sector is supported; and
- all providers operate to the standard of the best.
The research agenda
Priorities for LSIS research are to:
- translate relevant research findings into practical messages for the sector;
- support practitioners in the sector to do research and increase their capacity as researchers on the frontline;
- provide LSIS with an evidence base on what support the sector needs; and
- raise the profile and value of research in the sector.
We have created a new area on the Excellence Gateway for all our research:
Here you'll be able to find and source research publications and materials.
This is in the process of being updated with all our research, and until this is ready you can access our Leadership Research through the pages below:
Leadership research Programme 2006-Present
Between 2006 and 2009, the LSIS (formerly CEL) Leadership Research Programme funded both higher education and practitioner projects. Directed by Professor David Collinson of Lancaster University Management School, the programme was designed to create a research portfolio informing leadership policy and practice in the learning and skills sector. It was particularly concerned to develop a practitioner research programme and community. During this period, the programme published 12 edited volumes of practitioner research reports, 6 individual practitioner research reports and 20 individual HE research reports, all exploring key leadership issues in the sector. Each of the edited volumes includes an extended introduction outlining the key themes. This document provides a list of all these research reports and includes short summaries of the 60 practitioner research reports published in the 12 edited volumes by CEL/LSIS. Together, these practitioner research reports comprise over 375,000 words, thus establishing a "practitioner research footprint‟ by the sector, on the sector and for the sector.
Overview
An overview of the CEL/LSIS Research Programme 2006-2009 and summaries of the 60 Practitioner Research Reports can be downloaded here.
Publication downloads
All research publications are free to download. Each publication is individually downloadable and is located in one of the four categories below, click on the titles to access the research.
Edited Practitioner Research Volumes
Practitioner research into leadership related themes in the FE sector edited by Professor David Collinson, Lancaster University Management School.
Individual Practitioner Research Reports
Stand alone reports investigating leadership related themes within the sector, written by "practitioners" in the learning and skills sector.
HE Research Reports
Research into Leadership related themes within the FE sector, written by academics in the higher education sector.
Other Research Papers
Current research
The LSIS Practitioner Research Programme is now well into the fourth consecutive year. The application process this year was very competitive with the overall submission quality being excellent.
Out of the 70 plus applications, 12 projects were successful. Each research project is funded with £20,000 commissioning them to produce research to add to the portfolio of previous years.
There is a broad range of leadership related themes being researched from practitioners across the UK.