Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Research Cluster

What we do

Our Technical and Vocational Education and Training Research Cluster (TVET) is a collaborative group of inquiring professionals. We carry out research studies within the broad fields of professional, continuing, technical and vocational education. We seek to build research capacity among educators in the University’s post-14 and college partnership. We welcome collaboration with others researching post-compulsory education and related fields in colleges and other work-related settings.

The aim of the cluster is to develop and deepen understanding of policy, practice and context in professional, adult, technical and vocational education, both in the UK and internationally. Our interests centre on vocational education and such institutions as Further Education Colleges but extend to other educational settings, including schools and workplaces, and to other areas and phases of education provided in these settings. We seek to develop an understanding of the educational practice, as well as the institutions, policies and industrial organisations that shape these practices.

Research with us

We supervise doctoral students researching Technical and Vocational Education and Training and are interested in receiving applications for students in this area or for our self-funded options aligned to the research strengths of our staff. Contact Professor Liz Atkins or Dr Bill Esmond for further information. 

Meet the Team

Professor Liz Atkins

Professor James Avis

Simon Bellamy (Associate Professor)

Helen Boulton

Dr Bill Esmond

Bally Kaur

Nicola Scarrott

Harvey Smith

Aaron Bradbury - A comparison of pedagogical features of a traditional taught degree course and an apprenticeship degree course

Matthew Bromley - Can gamification contribute to the motivational processes of learning in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)?

Jade Murden - How alternative is alternative provision? A study exploring the underpinning educational philosophies and external factors which influence alternative provision

Dan Williams - Generic, transferable skills in the Education and Training Sector

Bill Jones, CEO and Principal of Leeds City College

Louise Misselke, Lorraine Barker and Sue Lambeth, Guernsey College

 

Further Information

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Publications
Student at lecture
Future and Past Events

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Research Cluster past event details and information. 

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Recent Projects

Our TVET team

Liz Atkins
Professor Liz Atkins
Professor of Vocational Education and Social Justice

Professor Liz Atkins is a leading scholar in the field of vocational education and training (VET). She has published widely on her concerns about how VET helps low-attaining young people move from school to work and associated ethical/methodological and social justice issues. Her recent book with Duckworth (2019) is Research Methods for Social Justice and Equity in Education (Bloomsbury).

Square image of staff member Bill Esmond
Professor Bill Esmond
Professor of Professional Education and Training

Bill Esmond is Associate Professor, Education & Employment. His research is located at the intersection of workplace learning, vocational and higher education. His analysis of systems and practice is widely published in international journals, and he supports the research aspirations of vocational practitioners, from local projects to doctoral study.