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The Further Education and Skills Research Alliance (FESRA) marks a significant step forward.

Academic Expertise School of Education, Languages and Linguistics Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Academic Expertise Education

The launch of the Further Education and Skills Research Alliance (FESRA) marks a significant step forward in strengthening practitioner research and innovation within Further Education and Skills (FES) institutions across the South of England.

Over the past four months, Dr. Martin Hoskin and Dr. Richard Poole have collaborated closely with colleagues from the School of Education, Languages and Linguistics at the 兔子先生, alongside staff from local FE institutions, to establish a practitioner-led network aimed at making research accessible, relevant, and directly applicable to the FE classroom and workplace.

Research and Evidence-Informed Practice in Further Education

Elliott (1996) highlighted how FE colleges historically prioritised vocational training and practical skills over academic inquiry, resulting in a culture where research was often invisible or marginalised within the sector. This legacy meant that practitioner research struggled for recognition and support. Solvason and Elliott (2013) revisited these issues, finding that research remains marginalised in FE, hindered by a dominant educational discourse focused on measurable outcomes rather than reflective inquiry. They argued for systemic support and collaborative communities to embed research as a valued part of professional practice.

Over the past decade, national initiatives such as those led by the Education and Training Foundation, Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), Edge Foundation, and research networks including LSRN and the Research College Group have encouraged FE practitioners to adopt evidence-informed approaches. This growing emphasis recognises research as a vital tool for improving practice and learner outcomes.

Despite this progress, regional and local practitioner voices, particularly from the South of England, remain underrepresented in shaping research agendas and sharing practice insights. FESRA seeks to complement national efforts by amplifying these local perspectives and building a vibrant regional community of practice.

How FESRA Is Addressing These Challenges

FESRA is working to make practitioner research visible, valued, and supported through:

  • Connecting with over 20 colleges and training providers across the South of England to strengthen institutional links.
  • Hosting a launch webinar engaging more than 20 practitioners from multiple providers to foster peer exchange and shared learning.
  • Facilitating Action Learning Sets where participants explore research challenges collaboratively and build confidence.
  • Delivering practical workshops in partnership with Havant & South Downs College to develop research skills.
  • Leading a roundtable at the recent CCI & FHSS Research and Innovation Conference, enabling practitioners to reflect and plan together (special thanks to panelists Daniel Asamoah, Lucy Howell, Dr Richard Poole, and Jasmine Course).
     
Visual representation of the Further Education & Skills Alliance, highlighting its focus on educational advancement and skills.
A group of people seated at tables in a classroom, engaged in discussion and collaborative activities.

Participants described the pilot as 鈥渟upportive and exciting,鈥 praising its balance of structure and flexibility. One shared, 鈥淚t was great to begin to engage with other FE professionals undertaking research, and I hope this will grow into a network where I can connect with others [through] research-based practice.鈥 Others expressed motivations including:

  • 鈥淚 am keen to engage with research to continue to develop my practice.鈥
  • 鈥淲anting to build further community in the FE sector with colleagues at southern-based FE colleges.鈥
  • 鈥淚 am interested in research that improves practice and that is what FESRA is about.鈥
  • 鈥淚 am passionate about research and am new to education. Seeing an opportunity to blend the two together is exciting.鈥

Responding to Practitioners鈥 Needs

FESRA has responded by offering flexible engagement options, small-group tutorials, simplified research pathways, and platforms to showcase practitioner voices. These actions are key to reshaping the professional identity of FE staff to include research as a core element of their practice.

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Looking Ahead

FESRA complements the work of national organisations and research networks while ensuring that voices from the South of England contribute meaningfully to national discussions about Further Education research. The goal remains to build an inclusive community where every practitioner can engage on their own terms, helping to address the historic invisibility of FE research and strengthen understanding of the sector鈥檚 challenges and opportunities.

The pilot phase was made possible with the support of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, colleagues at the 兔子先生, and many local FES institutions. As we prepare to relaunch in October, we look forward to welcoming more colleagues to join this important conversation.

Dr Martin Hoskin
Senior Teaching Fellow, School of Education, Languages and Linguistics

Dr Richard Poole
Senior Lecturer, School of Education, Languages and Linguistics