Plymouth University set to host international education conference

‘University tsar’ Professor Les Ebdon is set to join a host of international delegates at Plymouth University this week for a conference on the experience of learners in higher education.

The 20th annual Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE), Learner Journeys – Origins, Experiences and Destinations, will focus in particular upon students from groups which are under-represented in higher education, such as adults returning to study, students from low income groups, students with disabilities, Care Leavers and those from ethnic minorities.

The aim of the three-day event, which will include the launch of a new book from FACE, will be to disseminate best practice and share strategies for outreach work, and the retention and support of such students across the globe.

Professor Pauline Kneale, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at Plymouth University, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the 20th FACE conference, 20 years after the University staged the very first. That in itself demonstrates the continuing importance of widening participation and inclusivity at Plymouth.”

Delegates from the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, and across Europe will be attending the conference from the 3rd-5th July, which will consist of a number of interactive workshops, as well as a debate and an international roundtable.

Professor Ebdon, Director of the Office of Fair Access; Sarah Howls, Head of Student Opportunity at the Higher Education Funding Council for England; Hugh Lauder, Professor of Education and Political Economy at University of Bath; and Professor Phil Race, renowned Emeritus Professor of Education at Leeds Metropolitan University, will provide keynote speeches.

Plymouth’s Students’ Union will also run a session in which a group of American staff and students from the McNair Scholarship programme will talk about their experiences.

As host for the event, the University will also showcase its widening participation outreach programme, the Plymouth Access Scheme, delivering a number of workshops. This year alone, the scheme has engaged with 22,000 learners, through its work with target schools and colleges, with Access to Higher Education programmes, with local authorities, with community groups and through one-to-one advice and guidance sessions.

Professor Kneale added: “Plymouth University has a proud track record in widening participation, and has been working for many years with some of the more vulnerable communities in our region. We are committed to helping students make the transition to higher education and supporting their progress so that they can grow and develop their skills and knowledge, becoming employable graduates and global citizens.”